What can I expect from my first appointment to the breast clinic?

[AintNobodyHereButUsChickens]

A few days ago I noticed a tiny, minuscule dimple on the side of my left breast. I couldn’t be sure if it was a stretch mark I’d never noticed, or if it was something else. So I made an appointment at the GP and saw the nurse practitioner, she had a good feel and she actually found a lump on the right side of my right breast and made an urgent referral to the breast clinic to be seen within the next 2 weeks.

She’s as confident as she can be that it’s not cancer, but because of my mum, we agreed it’s better to err on the side of caution so I’m being seen asap. I should have heard from them by Tuesday.

What can I expect from the appointment? She said they’ll do a scan and possibly a biopsy. I’m trying not to be too concerned because logically I know the chances of it being cancer are incredibly slim, but still… 😬 Will a biopsy hurt? How big is the needle? I’m not sure if I should ask my husband to take a day off to take me, Will I be too sore to drive if I do have to have a biopsy?

I’m sorry OP it’s such a worrying time! I’ve got my fingers crossed for you. I found a lump a few months ago and was also urgently referred, assuming that all breast clinics are the same basically what you can expect totally depends on what they think, it’s sort of a ladder system in that they only go far enough to be satisfied it’s not cancer.

Initially you’re seen by a doctor who will do a thorough exam and it may be that they are just from that content to say it’s not cancer and nothing else done. If not then the next step is an ultrasound scan, they can see by that if for example it is excess breast tissue, if they’re happy with ultrasound nothing further is done.

If they aren’t satisfied by the ultrasound then it is mammogram & biopsy. I had a biopsy and it wasn’t too painful, I’d describe it as more uncomfortable than painful, and the results came back really quickly. Try not to worry, good luck x

I cant help you. But im in the same position.

I had a drs appointment on Friday, she referred me on a 2ww cancer referal and i got an appointment with the hospital an hour later

So interested to see what peoples experiences are as well

I went through similar a few years ago . The hospital were fantastic. Mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy all done in a couple of hours. All clear thankfully. Sending hugs and fingers crossed 🤞 for anyone who is going through this x the biopsy was uncomfortable but it was necessary so.....

Mine was:

• mammogram of both breasts
• physical exam by doctor, who thought it was a cyst but sent me for an ultrasound
• then called for a more indepth mammogram of the breast with the lump
• ultrasound
• biopsy, by the same doctor doing the ultrasound.

The biopsy didnt hurt much, she did a local anesthetic to insert the needle and said the actual grap bit would be a sharp pain - which it was. She took 2 samples.
My breast did bruise significantly afterwards, and is still quite bruised 2 weeks later.

Physically I could have driven afterwards, emotionally it wouldn't be a good idea (for me) so DP came with me.

The GP said I should be seen within 2 weeks, and a friend whose been a couple of times told me how quick it would be, my appointment was 3.5 weeks after the GP referral.

I hope you get good news.

I am no fan of the NHS but when I had a a referral all of the tests and treatment were done on the same day. They were fantastic. And I don’t say that lightly.

All was OK but I couldn’t fault them and my treatment was during Covid.

@PropertyD they definitely are fantastic x

Mine was
Mammogram of both breasts
Physical exam by doctor, who sent me for an ultrasound
Biopsy, by the radiologist, doing the ultrasound.
Discussion with the doctor who told me she was 98% certain it was cancer but would have to wait for biopsy results to confirm.
It all took about 4 hours and I went alone (90 min round trip). This is why it's useful to take someone, I didn't even tell DH I was going which was a mistake.

The biopsy was a bit painful and took a couple of weeks to feel better.

Thank you all, that’s reassuring. I just realised I can’t really take my husband with me, he’s just gone self employed so he’d lose a days wage and we can’t really afford that.

@AintNobodyHereButUsChickens the staff at my breast unit were very reassuring and comforting. They held my hand when it was biopsy time x sending hugs x

@AintNobodyHereButUsChickensHope it goes ok. Have you got your appoitment yet?
Mine is on the 24th but i have been put on the cancellation list where they will ring me if something sooner comes up

Mine was:
Quick feel by consultant who said there was nothing wrong.
I insisted on a scan.
Ultrasound scan at a different hospital showed a suspicious lump.
Mammogram showed nothing so I always ask for an ultrasound now.
Biopsy 2 days later
Results a week later - small cancer
MRI about 2 weeks later showed spread to lymph nodes.
It is so much better to have everything checked on the same day, 9/10 breast lumps are not cancer.
Can you take a friend to keep you company?
Best of luck 💐

I've had a lot of lumps over the years. The routine was always mammogram, ultrasound and physical exam by consultant.
I'm now in a higher risk category due to family history so I've also had biopsies and MRIs. But that's not usual for a standard 2ww clinic.
The biopsy didn't really hurt (local anaesthetic) but it was sore when numbness wore off.
Don't worry about going alone. I've never taken DH. Just make sure you have a good book as there can be a bit of waiting around.
Good luck OP. It's probably nothing but good to get it checked out.

Hi OP. The breast unit at my local hospital is a separate unit and really comforting.
At my appointment I had an initial examination, mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. All were straightforward I was able to drive myself home.
I usually take my dressing gown, a book, drink and snacks. They have the telly on in the unit near me, this and the brilliant staff are what makes it’s a relaxed environment.

Not yet, I’m hoping I get it tomorrow! The waiting is the worst bit already, and it’s only been 3 days. Best of luck with your appointment 🩷

Firstly I hope all goes well for you.

I would take someone with you...my Mum has just recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and she was told at the initial appointment. She had 9 biopsies taken and was very shaken after getting the news.

Of course lots of ladies go and get the all clear but I dread to think how Mum would have coped if she had gone alone

Thank you, so should I insist on both scans if they only do one? I hope you’re doing okay now?

Sadly all my friends live hours and hours away. There are a couple of school mums I’m friendly with but this isn’t something I’d ask of them, we’re not close enough for that.

My mum died of breast cancer, 15 days after diagnosis. She never told us kids but she’d had lumps over the years and got them checked out, but they were always just benign fatty lumps. So when she got another, she just assumed it was another fatty lump and ignored it. By the time they found it, it was on her lung, her ribs, up and down her spine, her skull and eating into her brain.

This wasn’t even two years ago yet so as you can imagine it’s still very raw, I’m pretty frightened but desperately trying not to think about it.

Also I read the referral the nurse practitioner typed up, she did find a lump under the dimple on my left breast, then found one on the right. So one on the left side of the left, and one on the right side of the right. Easy enough to remember.

OP my initial visit to the breast clinic was slightly different as I had had a call back from a mammogram. I would think that the procedure they will follow with you will be similar though as you have been referred by your GP. Firstly there will be a mammogram to confirm that there is something which needs investigation, and if so it will be followed by a biopsy done with the aid of ultrasound. I had a punch biopsy which involved numbing of the skin before several samples were taken - not painful at all and took about twenty minutes from prep to finish. They will then make an appointment for you to come to clinic for the results.

In my case l pretty much got the results straight away as it was the consultant radiographer who did my biopsy. After comparing both mammograms she was pretty certain I had a lobular cancer in my breast - an early cancer which had spread to one lymph node. She was spot on and it was confirmed when I saw the consultant about a week later when all the test results were back.

Well done for actually spotting this and going to the GP promptly because dimpling is one of the things to look out for in self examination and my consultant says it’s often missed, as most people are focused on looking for lumps, which not all cancers (including my own) present with. The waiting for results is the worst part and it’s important to remember that not all anomalies are cancer. Please keep us updated. Fingers crossed you’ll be fine.

Joining thread as I saw the Dr today as thought I might have a lump, dr agreed and referred me in the two week wait.

The dr mentioned it likely id need an ultrasound but wasn’t sure a mammogram would be useful as I’m young ish (46yo).

I’ll wait with you!

I’m so sorry about your mum OP. It’s easy to panic when something like this happens - especially when you’ve had an experience like this with a close relative. I know it’s not easy but try not to worry. Even if it turns out to be a cancer, I can tell you that breast cancer treatments have moved on apace in the last few years. Mine was quite a large tumour but 9 months post surgery I’m now cancer free. The important thing is that you’ve identified something as not right and you’re dealing with it quickly. Catching these things as early as possible is the most important thing. Sending you a virtual hug and hoping for a good outcome.

They will probably do a mammogram to identify any anomalies that may need further investigation. If so, the next stage will be ultrasound led biopsy - simple, quick and they numb the skin so not painful, just a bit uncomfortable.

Thank you, I was actually sitting drying my hair in the mirror when I spotted it. It stood out because it was purply, like a new stretch mark so I had a closer look and saw it dimpled in ever so slightly, really it was minuscule! I couldn’t decide if it was just a stretch mark or something else so I got in touch with the GP. Honestly thought I was being silly and it was nothing so I didn’t even tell DH until after the nurse found the lumps.

Hope you’re doing okay now, I can’t imagine how terrifying it must be to be told you have cancer.

I’m even younger than you, 34! Worrying time, isn’t it? I hope you get your appointment soon

From what I can remember of my initial consultation I was told that there are certain cancers which don’t show up well on mammogram - mine was one of them. I had lobular BC - these cancers don’t form lumps, they have tendrils which spread along the tissues so there’s nothing to feel. The most common symptom of this kind of cancer is dimpling of the skin - looks a bit like orange peel - over the site of the tumour. Mine was quite large when they found it, which is why it showed up on mammogram. The actual size and stage was determined by ultrasound and then MRI. Knowing what I know now - that the cancer may have been present on other mammograms, but not large enough to be picked up - I would definitely ask for ultrasound as well.

It’s a really odd experience. To be blunt I’d always thought of cancer as happening to other people. It’s so strange to be sitting opposite someone telling you that you have it. It takes a while to get used to because it takes away your sense of security - it brings it home that there are no guarantees in life. But you get used to it and you put yourself in the hands of the experts and trust they know what they’re about.

My treatment was at one of the centres of excellence, and it was just that - excellent. After mastectomy just before Christmas last year and adjuvant treatment since, l’m currently cancer free and having regular monitoring