Found lump and terrified

[RubyG3112]

I also posted in women's health but noticed not many people get replies so I thought here might be better.

Yesterday I found a hard lump about 3cm in my left breast. It moves about when I touch it and feels like a stone. I rang my GP and she said she would put me on the referral waiting list which should take about two weeks.

I feel absolutely devastated and terrified. I'm 30 and I have a 5 month old baby and can't stop crying, I feel like my whole world has just fallen in on top of me.

I've looked into going private but it would cost up to £2000 (for consultation, mammogram, ultrasound & biopsy) but I could be seen tomorrow. We would have to use money we loaned for house renovations, so I don't know what to do, but I don't know how I can go on waiting for another two weeks when I can't think about anything else.

Does anyone have any advice? I can't speak to my mum or sisters because I don't want to upset them when I don't know anything. I'm just so scared and upset and I'm sorry about sounding so self-centred at a time like this, when everyone is anxious and scared, I just don't know what to do or how to cope.

Im so sorry you're going through this right now! Personally i would pay the £2000 and get seen tomorrow. Thats just the way i am. Good luck hope it turns out to be nothing serious

Hi, if it were me I would wait the 2 weeks. You've only had a baby recently, that can account for many a lump in a breast. Most lumps turn out to be benign and harmless. It could be a breast mouse if it's moveable. 9 out of 10 are benign and harmless.
In the meantime try to keep busy, I'm sure the baby keeps you busy anyway and hopefully the appointment will come through soon.

Most lumps are benign.

OP, it is very rare I get passionate about a post, but I will with yours.

I nearly lost my DM to breast cancer. The morning she found a lump she went to the GP and they had her in hospital being tested within 48 hours.

I would not find it acceptable to wait 2 weeks.

If I had the money, even if it meant no holidays for the rest of my life and living in a small house, I would be spending that 2k in getting tested

Quite harshly put, but what use are house renovations if you're dead?

Please.

My DH recently had a 2 week referral for a breast lump. The whole process was super efficient. The hospital rang him the same afternoon as the initial gp appt and he was given an appointment within a week. My advice would be that if you don’t hear from them within a few days chase it up and check the referral has definitely been sent and received. Also it was possible for us to look online and see if any cancellations available. I don’t know if everywhere works with the same system though. Good luck OP.

I've had a similar experience after my youngest was born. I waited the 2 weeks (but was called in sooner as I was flexible with my availability) NHS was very efficient. I had a sonography & they ruled out anything immediately. It was dense tissue which can have a number of reasons. I would say, be patient, and see the hospital - given the current circumstances it could be quicker than 2 weeks. It's not that £2000 is not worth it - but the chances of yours being malignant are quite low. Good luck.

Op - I understand your reluctance to Duran to your mum or sisters but If they were going through this right now would you want to help them? Please speak to someone in RL who can offer support.

I’m in the same situation, the earliest private appointment I could get was next week. I’ve booked it as I’m struggling to focus on work and can’t afford a 2 week delay.

I’m not freaking out or hysterical but I can’t concentrate on anything, almost like I’ve shut down. I’m blocking everything out by wasting hours on my phone.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this with such a young baby my DC are teenagers. I think you need to take whatever action you can that makes you feel slightly in control as that will help, booking a private appointment has done that for me.

I also haven’t told anyone so I get it. I can’t even contemplate it until I’ve had the appointment, I know once I’ve had the appointment and know what I’m dealing with I’ll tell anyone and everyone either way but I just can’t now.

I get very anxious about this type of wait and can totally understand but I think I would wait. As people have said the breast clinics are very efficient and there is no harm in phoning in a day or two. Just explain you’re really anxious and would take a last minute cancellation. It may well end up being less than 2 weeks.

The two week thing is the timeframe within which they have to see you it doesn't mean you will have to wait two weeks.

I saw the GP on the Wednesday and my breast clinic appointment came through the following Tuesday.

In the current situation it might be worth giving them a call anyway just to try to put your mind at rest as they may be able to give you an indication of how long you'll wait.

I do understand that your mind just goes into absolute overdrive though but like PP have said, the majority of lumps are benign.

Just a quick update, I had a biopsy last week and got the results today, it was a fibroadenoma. I'm so relieved. Thank you for all your replies, I do feel a bit silly getting so worked up, but all your words of wisdom really helped me when I was getting myself in a state, so thank you xxx

Great news

That's a relief. Thanks for updating.