2ww breast cancer referral - what happens at appointment

[Mich1986]

Can anyone tell me what will happen at this appointment? Will it be mammogram, ultrasound and possible biopsy? If I have a biopsy will I be sore the next day? I take it they do it under local anaesthetic? Thank you

I’m sorry you are having to deal with this. I went private (NHS GP couldn’t see me for an appointment for a month after finding the lump) so perhaps this won’t help, but it was my experience.
I was referred via private GP to the breast cancer clinic. GP had felt it and said it “didn’t feel right, in anyway”. Clinic was the next day (very lovely receptionist took one look at my white, shit scared face and squeezed me in).
I went to the appointment, met with the consultant. He had a feel, agreed it was there, asked me some questions and then I went off to have a mammogram. Mammogram was fine, far, far less invasive or uncomfortable for me than a smear. Boobs pretty much squashed in a vice but not terribly painful. Then I was on to ultra sound. Not painful, a bit chilly, nothing to worry about. I was shitting myself the entire time though!
i got dressed, went back to see the consultant, who (both times, I’ve done this twice!) told me it was a benign cyst, nothing to worry about.
The vast majority of breast lumps are nothing and I so hope this is your result too. Good luck xxxx

I had an NHS appointment within a few days of my GP referral. I had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy on the same day, I had the result 3 days later which unfortunately was confirmed as cancer. I was heavily bruised after the biopsy and this lasted for a few weeks, but it wasn’t painful. Thinking of you and hoping it goes well x

Sorry you're going through this. This is what happened when I went through the same thing 5 years ago -

1. Examination by breast cancer nurse
2. Mammogram (this depends on age I think - tumours can be difficult to see if you have dense breast tissue, which is usually the case if you're on the younger side)
3. Ultrasound
4. Biopsy (I was told during the ultrasound that she suspected cancer so everything about the biopsy is a bit of a blur. I assume I was given some kind of anesthetic because it didn't really hurt, although it was very tender in the days that followed).
5. Chat with breast cancer nurse again. Appointments for CT and MRI scans were made during this time, information on fertility treatment given etc.

I hope you get good news.

I had an appt recently:

1. breast examination
2. mammogram
3. ultrasound

at the examination the dr said she wasn’t worried and that the tests would be to make sure. At the ultrasound they repeated to me - everything is fine there is no cancer. They do try to inform you as you go through it. There is some transparency. At every stage every single professional was incredibly kind and could see the stress and the worry. I hope all goes well for you

When I went recently I had:

1. Mammogram
2. Ultrasound with a consultant radiologist who also explained what my mammograms showed and took a biopsy of an enlarged lymph node
3. Consultation with the breast surgeon who examined my breasts and asked some more background questions, then booked me a follow up appointment in two weeks for the results

I then went back after two weeks and saw the surgeon for the results. In my case it was cancer so the breast cancer nurse was there as well. They gave me lots of information and then booked me for the further scans and biopsies that were needed. It took a while to get all the information and it was quite a sad and scary time but I feel a lot better now that I have all the information and a treatment plan in place.

Biopsies are done under local anaesthetic. I had both core biopsies and vacuum biopsies. They weren’t really painful but the vacuum biopsies left me very bruised, sore and swollen for a few days after. The core biopsies weren’t as bad. I would say make sure you wear a comfortable and soft bra and have some painkillers to take when you get home.

I think your age might have an impact. I had consult, followed by ultrasound, biopsy done in the ultrasound room, then I had a mammogram but I gather that was just to image the marker put in during the biopsy as I am under 40 (mammograms don’t tend to work as well for under 40s due to denser breast tissue). Then back to the consultant who explained why I needed a biopsy.

If I hadn’t needed the biopsy (ie if the ultrasound image confidently showed something benign) I would have been let go straight from the ultrasound.

All happened in one appointment, I’m now going into my second week wait for the biopsy result.

Oh and biopsy was fine, uncomfortable but not painful, mammogram was done with less pressure than usual. I was a little sore for a couple of days but not prohibitively so, I could sleep fine, go about my day etc. It was more the emotional impact of realising the lump wasn’t obviously benign and for the first time having to consider having cancer. I recommend taking someone with you.

Thanks for your reply, I am 40. Hope you are ok, that 2ww is horrible! Praying you get a good outcome x