Young adult DD with breast lump.

[Lastgig]

Help.
Daughter (22) has found breast lump.
Do we just wait until Tuesday?

No. You call 111, the NHS 24-hour helpline. They are brilliant.

Sorry about this. How worrying for you both.

But I don't think you have much choice but to wait for the GP to re-open after Easter. It is likely she will be seen on Tuesday then referred for it to be checked. They won't see you in A&E for this so unfortunately its a wait it out job.

Exactly this.

Wait till Tuesday and see your GP. This will be referred under the 2 week wait, although may be slightly longer (mine recently was 3.5 weeks as they had had so many referrals). Its normally a one stop shop so you would get a no this is nothing/cyst/hormonal or a biopsy done that day but they would normally say they think it may be cancer.

111 wont be able to do anything really, as the referral wont get there any quicker as most likely the clinic will be shut until Tuesday.

I hope everything goes ok with your daughter.

PS. Warn her about the scooping method bit on a mammogram. I was not expecting that bit by the radiographer! They kind of hand scoop all the breast tissue in to be squeezed on the plates (maybe this just for big booked women, I dont know!). The plates didnt hurt at all either.

My suggestion about 111 was made in the hope that by talking through the characteristics of the lump, OP and her DD may be able to be reassured so they have less to worry about until Tuesday.

We've had a lot of the big C in our family. Three breast cancer cases.
DD is a psych medic student with other health issues.

We plan to go down to the surgery first thing on Tuesday.

So sorry you are all going through this. I think waiting until Tuesday is best, 111 is highly unlikely to do the refferal you need.

So sorry you are having to deal with this. In my experience I was seen within 4 working days of going to my GP by the breast clinic. Everything moved very quickly. I hope that it’s nothing on further examination. Thinking of you both

And was also my thinking and why I seconded your original suggestion.

Hi,
Tuesday is in 2 days time, unlikely to have a major impact if it happens to be anything.
Just make sure the GP doesn't fob her off, I doubt they will. I rang up with a breast lump, they saw me the same day. I got referred on the 2 week pathway for a mammogram. This is standard procedure to refer any lump, the Doctor wasn't worried about mine and she was right (normal breast tissue).
I know how awful the waiting and thinking is tho, I was spiralling. But it's comforting to know it isn't always C.
Best wishes to you and your daughter.

When I was in my 20s, they had to do an ultrasound, as they said that at that age breast tissue isn't suitable for a mammogram.
Things may have changed over the years though.

Without examining it, a mammogram/ultrasound etc..... 111 would not be able to comment at all. They could maybe give statistics that it is much more unlikely at 21, but thats about it.

Yes, breast tissue is a lot denser at a young age.

My DD had a significant lump (actually 2 when they removed it, one in front and one hiding) as a teen and they didn't do a mammogram. She had an ultrasound and biopsy within 2 weeks and they were removed a few weeks later. The GP was pretty sure of a diagnosis at the first appointment and was 100% right.

Good luck.

Her age makes it statistically very unlikely to be malignant.

If the lump is smooth and mobile with no associated skin or nipple changes this is also reassuring, as is the absence of any lumps under the armpit.

It absolutely needs to (and will be) promptly investigated however these are positives to focus on to get her through the next couple of days.

Even in the absolute worst case scenario a delay over a bank holiday weekend, whilst distressing, would make not a jot of difference to the outcome (which is already 90-95% survival for breast cancer now).

If it’s smooth and moves at all it’s likely to be a fibroadenoma. I had one at exactly her age, totally benign and nothing to worry about but obviously see the gp at your earliest possible chance to get the ball rolling and peace of mind.

She did have a scabby nipple a few months ago.

She has severe gynecological issues so some health anxiety. However she let me see/ feel it and it's definitely there.

My cousin died at 26 from breast cancer and she's bricking it.

It's smooth but doesn't move.

I can understand the increased concern given your cousin passing so young.

Is there any other family history though?

I am a member of a BRCA2 family, negative myself, but usually if there is a rogue gene more than 1 relative is affected.

If your daughter was a carrier, you would have to be positive to have passed it on.

And you would likely have developed something before now.

Of course all of this is speculation but your daughter is still very far from it being the worst case scenario.

I would ring the GP surgery at 8am tomorrow or better still, just go there at 8 and insist on seeing someone the same day.

Thank you.
Two of my aunts died of breast cancer too.

My mum and DDs grandfather bowel cancer.
Other cancers too with my sister and others.

I will be on it at 8am.

You should also insist on a referral to a genetics clinic by your GP once the current issue has been dealt with, and I wish your daughter a speedy and negative result.

A cluster like that within a bloodline is unlikely to be due to chance (even though I was initially told my 7 affected relatives, almost all at young ages and one with bilateral disease, was "just bad luck")

My dd (who was 25 at the time) had a lump. She was urgently referred and had a biopsy and scan on the day off the app. She was too young for a mammogram. It was a fibroadenoma. No treatment needed and no change 4 years later.

I’m sorry that this has all happened over a BH weekend. We’ve got health problems in this house too and it’s just awful having to wait. I hope everything works out well for your DD.

Update. Doctor saw her this afternoon. Not unduly worried. Thinks the lump is in the skin. Appointment for two weeks.

That’s reassuring but of course with the family history, you know you’ve done the right thing.