Referral to Breast Clinic

[Cornnuts]

I’ve been too see the GP today as I have lump and tenderness in one of my boobs and have been referred to the breast clinic under the two week rule. On the referral the GP wrote it was ‘suspected breast cancer’ does anyone know if this is what is written generically in this type of referral or the actual opinion of the doctor?
Also anyone who has experienced this and knows what I am to expect on the day of the appointment? I am absolutely terrified.

I work in cancer services and I know that over 90% of referrals under the 2 week rule are not cancer. Because you have been to your GP with a lump in your breast they have to refer you under this rule, if you tick the boxes they have to do it.

I don't work in breast but I'm sure you will have a mammogram and then if they feel you need it, a biopsy.

Hope all goes okay for you, I know it's hard but try not to worry

Thank you @onelastpushhh that is a reassuring statistic.

I was referred under this pathway approx 2 months ago now, it was the scariest two weeks of my life and I tried to get seen sooner but I was reassured by the breast care nurse that most lumps/bumps referred are benign and most people are discharged at the first appointment. Please don't worry, it will be a horrible wait but it's good it will be checked soon, most breast lumps are referred under this pathway. Sending love and hugs xx

I had this last year. It was fine. They do the referral quickly regardless. He’s probably just written that to make sure the referral goes through quickly.

I was referred after a routine mammogram despite telling them that there was already a marker in place from a previous biopsy. But they wanted to do another biopsy, and then another. I was also assured that most lumps are benign. Good luck, OP. It’s a scary time but it will be over and behind you before you know it.

I was referred under this pathway for a lump and I believe the ‘suspected breast cancer’ is a standard thing they have to put on the referral under the 2 week referral pathway- my lump wasn’t cancerous and I was discharged after the first appointment at the breast clinic having had an examination and an ultrasound.

I hope you are seen quickly Cornnuts and that it is nothing untoward and your mind is soon put at rest.

OP I had this a couple of weeks ago for a swollen lymph node in my armpit. GP notes also said 'suspected breast cancer', you're right in that it's the generic wording for a 2W referral. (I do think the wording could be put more reassuringly but there you are!)

Mine turned out to be benign, really really likely yours is too.

I used to work in breast clinic.
That terminology is fairly standard for the referral. On the day you'll be examined by a doctor, mammogram/uss depending on your age/what they think will give best results. Depending on availability of staff on the day you can also have biopsy/cyst drainage etc.
It's a tough wait but is usually an excellent service with most women discharged on the day having been fully investigated. If it's not good news or more tests need done you'll be fully informed on the day and leave with a plan for follow up and support.
Good luck, I hope you get good results and peace of mind soon.

Yes fairly standard. It might be so there is no confusion as to the reason they want you checked over. As others have said most turn out to be nothing so do your best to keep busy and not think about it.

Hope it all turns out well.

I'm in the same position as you OP, and absolutely bricking it. Did you receive a letter from your GP about the referral? I'm wondering because I didn't and have no idea what she put down for mine.

I saw GP on Monday about a 'lump' in my areola but she dismissed it as a blocked duct. But upon physical examination she said she can feel 2 small lumps and referred me to breast clinic. Received a letter today for an appointment on 1st of November and that feels ages away! Letter reads due to current situation I won't be allowed a partner to accompany me which is a bummer, I really wanted DH with me for support incase it's bad news DH keeps telling me to stop worrying but I can't help it. I've been checking my breast obsessively but can't feel anything and got DH to have a feel too, and he can't feel any lump either so I've no idea where they've gone and hid! Breast feels a little tender though but that could be due to the blocked duct? Sorry for hijacking, I hope we can get through this horrible wait without a breakdown and it's all worrying over nothing

I was referred under the 2 week rule, and luckily got seen 5 days later. I was very worried, and had mammograms and a thorough examination, and was told I had enlarged lymphnodes, probably caused by the covid vaccine, as they were seeing more and more women with it.I hope everything turns out well for you.

Thank you so much everyone. Reassuring that the terminology is pretty standard and thank you for giving me an idea of what to expect. So reassuring that others have been through this as it has turned out okay.

@Worried2478 I’m so sorry you are going through this too. It is a horrible feeling and I am doing the same, constantly prodding and checking my boobs which then makes them ache and red so I get even more worked up. I hope everything goes okay for you.

Just need to get through the next two weeks now, luckily work is incredibly busy at the moment so hoping that will take my mind off things.

I had this a few months back @Cornnuts. Fully expected breast clinic to tell me all was fine but I ended up needing a biopsy and scared myself silly. All was fine, but just to say don’t panic if you need a biopsy too.

Op I’ve been referee today as well! No lump but slight dimple and very slight change in shape so gp referred to be sure. She couldn’t feel any lumps. Terrified of inflammatory bc but glad I went and trying to remain rational. I’m not googling. Fingers crossed for us all.

I have recently had surgery and treatment for breast cancer. The initial appointment involved a mammogram, an ultra-sound and a core biopsy. I was also referred to the breast clinic a few years ago and had exactly the same procedures but that was a fibroadenoma. So even if they do a biopsy don't immediately think it's worse case scenario. Three out of four women referred are for benign reasons. If you do end up needing treatment please be reassured that you will be treated swiftly and with the greatest of care. I cannot praise the NHS enough for the treatment I received.

How did you get on op? I had my appt and nothing sinister thank goodness. I have a few small cysts that could have caused the dimple but nothing else.