Breast clinic referral. Ridiculously scared.

[Vi37]

Long story short, found a lump, so I've been referred, im 36 and absolutely beyond petrified. Can't tell family as its my dad's birthday tomorrow. I dont want to leave my little boy. 😥

Sorry to hear that, but try not to worry (pointless advice I know!). The vast majority of lumps are not sinister. Do you know if you have been referred on a 2 week wait? If so you will be seen quickly and probably reassured.

I presume they asked about family history and risk factors?

Yes two week wait, just asked about family history thats all. Finding it pretty hard to function at the moment. I cant stop looking at my little boy.

I had this last week. My mum died of a rare cancer (although not breast) and I convinced myself I was dying, but it was a cyst and was absolutely nothing to worry about. The vast majority of lumps are nothing sinister, especially in women your age.

Theres 2 ways to look at this.
1- its nothing, just a cyst or whatever. In that case happy days
2- its cancer. In that case theyve found and caught it early and success rates are about 97 percent.
I was diagnosed in May. Since then ive had the op and radiotherapy and treatment is over. Everything is ridiculously quick at the mo with all non essential services closed. The other good news is breast clinic will be a one-stop shop, mamogram, ultrasound and biopsy all in about 3 hours. By the end they knew mine was cancer from the scans, so there was no waiting or messing about.im 47 btw.
Whats your lump like? Size? Shape, smooth? Any pain or inflammation of the skin, nipple etc?

I had this at exactly your age OP, I was terrified too. This was 20 years ago.

Mine was absolutely fine, just a hormonal thing apparently. I've never been so relieved!

A bit of advice my brother gave me actually really helped. He said "does worrying about it change the diagnosis? If not, stop worrying about it just now, there's time enough for that if there IS anything wrong!". True!

For now though, please take comfort from the fact that the vast majority will be, like mine, absolutely nothing to worry about.

Thank you everyone, I dont know the size exactly, I dont want to touch it anymore. The nurse just said oh its a small lump, thats all she said. She didn't give anything away. No puckering, dumpling, redness etc. Only pain from where I've been obsessively prodding it.

Probably not a bad idea to give the poking a rest then!

Honestly, there is every chance this will be nothing. And, as a previous poster mentioned, this is a good time to be seen quickly, and in the unlikely event you need treatment, to be treated quickly. Someone will be in contact by phone once the referral has been reviewed, probably in the next day or two.

Me too. Saw gp on Friday, and got a letter today to say that if I don’t hear anything by tomorrow, to ring them. The short date is freaking me, why tomorrow and not a week.

This is second time round for me, had bc eight years ago. The service was excellent. I feel more nervous this time.

Holding virtual hands with you.

Standrewsschool don't worry about them saying tomorrow rather than a week - that's just related to the 2ww process in your hospital (to stay compliant every day counts. I used to be a 2ww pathway coordinator). Best of luck with your appointment.

Thank you, that’s reassuring.

Going through this myself. I’m 33 with a 16 month old DS. I have my appointment at the clinic tomorrow where I’m assuming I’ll end up with a biopsy where I’ll have another week to wait. All this waiting (even though it’s only been a week and a bit) is gut wrenching. Sending love.

I’m sorry you’re going through this. The waiting is awful, it’s the worst part. I’ve recently been through the same, though not breast and the best advice I was given was to just try to focus on the next appointment and don’t race ahead. It’s likely to be nothing but either way you are a long way from leaving your little boy so just focus on getting the appointment done and finding out what you’re dealing with. Believe me I do understand, I had exactly the same thoughts about my son when my Dr referred me for the 2ww a couple of months ago. Mine was cancer (very rare ovarian) but I’ve already had surgery and am now all clear. Good luck with everything, it’s a hard time but you can do it.

You're doing so well, you're a step closer to finding out what's going on. Well done for making the appointment. This time tomorrow your first appointment will be over. My appointment was today. It was ok. Take something to do in the waiting room. I'll be thinking of you and sending my thoughts. Very, very, very best xxxx

Hi I am also in the same position came on here to post my own thread and ask for advice.

Hope u get ur referral soon .

I went to the gp last Tuesday with what I thought was a lump and hevy feeling in my right breast to be told I have 3 lumps a 1 inch at the 6 oclock position a 1 inch at 8 o clock and a 3 inch mass at 10 o clock

Was so shocked as I only recently noticed it but it seem to be quite fast growing

@laura1609 just wanted to wish you good luck for today.

From previous experience, wear a top you can take on and off easily. Also, as Boston says, take something for waiting room (book, magazine) can be a lot of waiting around.

@Gowiththeflow92

Did you get referred under 2 week wait scheme also?

I've been referred....gosh...six times, I think. Cysts and fibroadenomas. Please try not to worry. My doctor said the threshold for referring breast lumps is very low so they send you even if they're pretty sure it's nothing. They might not even biopsy it...I've been a few times and they've felt it and looked at the scan and gone yep, nowt to worry about, off you go! Obviously it's always best to err on the side of caution but please remember cysts and other benign boob lumps are so common. Good luck.

Thank you. X

I have been referred several times, as has my DD. IN both cases they were always cysts.

The likelihood of it being cancer is low, but there is a two week protocol to make sure that cancers are picked up.

I understand your worry - the first time this happened to me the clinic pushed me to the head of the queue because I had such bad diarrhoea that I barely sat in the waiting room chair!

@Standrewsschool Thank you. I’m just trying to keep myself busy with work this morning until my appointment. Hospital confirmed DH can’t come with me. Going alone feels ever scarier.

I went alone too, it was scary but the staff were absolutely lovely when I said I was afraid - really kind. Also there are usually tonnes of other women in the waiting room which sort of feels quite reassuring knowing that many women get their lumps checked every day.

I've had to take the day off work today, I've just slept on the sofa all day until it was time to pick my son up. I cant function, I cant eat.

Thought I’d update on here. I’m just back from the breast clinic. It’s just a cyst, thank goodness. They found another one on the ultrasound but it’s too small to be felt. No biopsy and they didn’t drain it as it doesn’t feel uncomfortable or painful so I’ve been told to monitor it and go back if it gets any bigger. They think it’s likely down to hormones; having had a baby 16 months ago and stopping breastfeeding a month ago.
The relief is just incredible, going to treat myself to a cup of tea and a biscuit. Thank you for all of your words of support and I’m sending positivity for any of you with upcoming appointments xx

Such good news congratulations. Xx

Thank you. Please try and relax if you can, easier said than done I know. Be kind to yourself. Xx

@laura1609 - you deserve more than a cup of tea and biscuit!

Glad it’s good news.

My letter said yesterday to phone today if I hadn’t got an appointment. Answerphone! Tried going through reception to get to breast clinic. Ended up at same answerphone telling me they will ensure I have an appointment in the next week or so. Urgh! I’ll try again tomorrow.