What to expect from a referral to the breast clinic?

[usernotfound0000]

I saw my GP this morning regarding a strange mass in my breast, she's referred me to the breast clinic. I'm just wondering what to expect? Thanks for any advice.

When I went last year I saw a consultant who examined me sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound on the lump and then went back to see him . All done in a couple of hours . I hope everything turns out OK

Thank you. Did you find out the same day if it was anything to worry about? The GP said they usually see you within 2 weeks here so I'm hoping my mind will be put at ease by then. Can't help thinking the worst though.

When this happened to me - on the day I had a mammogram and an ultrasound and found a mass of 3½x 2cm. My mass also turned out to be fluid filled to the consultant drained off a syringe full and sent it for analysis.

The consultant told me on the day that she was pretty sure that it was a largish necrotic cyst - basically I had bashed and bruised my breast that had then formed into a cyst.

The lab testing of the fluid confirmed that this was exactly what it was. They usually don't recommend any treatment as most disappear eventually on their own. It took a couple of months but it did disappear although I can still feel where it was - it feels like the remnants of a burst balloon

Hope you get your appointment soon

@usernotfound0000 I did it turned out to be fat. I was seen within a week. Don't google I did that it just makes you more worried. Waiting is hard going. Hope your appointment comes through asap

Ive just had my appointment confirmed for 13th June, seems so far away.

When I found a lump I was given an appointment within two weeks.
I had a mammogram, then a biopsy, then an ultrasound all in the one appointment. I was there a while.
When I was finished they gave me an appointment to come back a week later for the results.
Luckily it was just a fibroadenoma. I was given the choice of having it removed or not.

@usernotfound0000 they have given you the very last day of the two week referral. Do they have a cancellation list you could get on if anything comes round sooner?
Hopefully it will soon come round. The wait is awful . Sending you a big hug

I was naïvely Impressed when the GP said I would be seen within 2 weeks, until I read some posts on here, I had no idea that was the limit. I'm going to ring them on Monday and ask if they can let me know if there are any cancellations next week.

@usernotfound0000 good idea definitely worth it just incase

I am waiting for my appointment too, 8th June. Have pretty much convinced myself the lump is a cyst, but it feels like SUCH a long wait. I am trying to keep myself busy. Hope you get good news

Just a few practicalities:
Wear separates so you can take your top off (you will be given a gown for modesty).
Take spare deodorant with you. You may have to wipe off yours (can interfere with mammogram) so having spare means you can reapply.
Take hair tie/have hair up as again, need hair out of the way as it can interfere.
The mammogram is a bit uncomfortable but all very dealable with. Ditto Ultrasound.
Try not to worry. It is quite possibly nothing. If it is something then at least it is being looked into.

Good luck.

I had an examination by a doctor, then an ultrasound scan (I believe) of the breast, not a mammogram. It was a cyst and there was nothing further to be done. It was all very quick and there were lots of other ladies there going through the same process.

I'm in the same boat, saw the GP last Tuesday and now had my appointment for 20th June. I was put on strong antibiotics in case it was an infected cyst but the lump, though smaller is still there as are the enlarged glands in my armpit. It's the waiting that is hardest, isn't it

I,had first appointment with the surgeon. Tries fine needle aspiration to rule out a cyst. It wasn't.
Had mammograms andvthen ultrasound guided core biopsy. Local anaesthetic, ultrasound and a huge great sort of gun/needle thing a bit like an electric nail gun that shoots into breast tissue and pulls out a core of the lump. Not painful at time but significant bruises and some bleeding. Had a pressure dressing for 24 hours afterwards. Went away for about three hours and returned to see surgeon in the afternoon to have diagnosis confirmed. I already knew what it was so wasn't exactly a surprise.

Agree separates. I didn't have a gown just took my top off and on a lot. Suggest darker coloured top in case you do have bleeding after a biopsy - to avoid staining.

Take a book - there's a lot of waiting around. Also something to drink.
It's hard waiting but the overwhelming majority of lumps are benign.
Two weeks from referral to initial appointment is the national standard for suspected cancers. Breast clinics are often not run every day for initial diagnosis as they need surgeon, nurse specialist, radiologist, ultrasonographer and specialist radiographer there all at same clinic.

Thanks so much for all the practical tips, it's very helpful.

I really hope that those who are going through the same have positive outcomes.

crumbs can I ask how you knew? I've been trying not to google but would be interested to know if you don't mind sharing.

Professional knowledge mainly. Google won't change the outcome one way or another so will either scare unecessarily or give false reassurance. I'm not sure which is worse, to be honest. It feels like forever waiting but that does allow time to get your head round the possibilities and to consider practical issues around work, timing, holidays etc in worst case scenario. From point of first appointment to treatment flew so quickly, I wouldn't have had the space in my head to consider whether to tell children/other family/friends/colleagues.

Even if it's breast cancer you need to remember most women survive and are cured these days. A diagnosis is really not usually a death sentence. For the majority of women it's a year of not very pleasant treatment but entirely manageable and nowhere near as bad as people imagine.

So just to update. I had an ultrasound and a fine needle test at the appointment, a lump was found but the consultant said he thought it was normal tissue. I was given a telephone appointment 2 weeks later to be given the results.

It came to the telephone appointment and nobody called. I rang the hospital to be told that they cancelled that appointment as I needed to go back to see them. Cue panic stations. Told appointment is for 4th July and letter will follow. Still no letter so no idea where to go, assuming where I went last time but they kept that letter and can't remember where in the hospital it was.

After the initial panic, I calmed down a bit and started to think more rationally that they probably just want to do further testing but as the appointment gets closer, I find myself panicking more and more.

Hi, also going through the same thing.

I had a Mammogram, Ultrasound and Core Biopsy x3. Waited ages for the results and then had to go back for more biopsies as they had missed the first time.

Had 6 more biopsies on Wednesday. No idea when I will get the results.

I live on a Scottish Island so had to fly to Aberdeen for the tests. Will get the results here, but having two different hospitals dealing with me has made it a bit more complicated. Aberdeen said they would phone with the results, but local hospital do not do that. Has been about 8 weeks in all so have not met the waiting times criteria at any point.

Oh wow monster that's dreadful! Do you have PALS or equivalent in Scotland that you can talk to? I hope you hear something soon and the news is good.

I am fine User, thank you

I am a health professional myself so understand the challenges. I am extremely grateful they are checking it all out and that it is free.

I am pretty sure it is benign as there is no family history and no other symptoms. If it isn't then I will manage fine too. Treatment and prognosis is excellent these days. I do have the odd wobbly moment as my youngest is only 4, but worrying will not change anything.

Yes this is what I tell myself. If the news is bad, I'm still in a good position, have age on my side, no family history, no other symptoms etc. But yes, I worry about the impact on my family but as you say, worrying gets you nowhere and changes nothing.

I was at hospital yesterday.

I went to GP last Friday referral letter faxed noon Tuesday and hospital called at 1:45 with an app for Fri, yesterday.

Go found a lump in my armpit. I had a burning sensation in my breast, nipple discharge, lump in breast, armpit pain, basically every symptom.

Had ultrasound and mammogram yesterday and everything is fine.

I had 100% convinced myself that it was going to be bad news.

The anxiety can be crippling but please try not to worry. My friend who is a nurse says that hospitals still have some practices that worry patients unnecessarily and they should change them.

Wishing you the very best of luck op.

Thank you myheart, I'm very pleased everything was fine for you. I agree with the unnecessary worrying, if I am just required to have additional testing, telling me that would have prevented a lot of worry and anxiety!

How did it go today OP?

Thank you for asking.

So the lady I saw explained that I was called back as the needle test was insufficient, she had a feel and was happy that everything felt normal so no further testing was needed and it was put down to hormonal changes.