Referred to breast clinic - handhold

[HTruffle]

I know no-one has a crystal ball but just need to get some support if anyone else has been here. Went to GP this morning to check some very mild breast pain out and have been referred to the breast clinic under 2ww. Absolutely petrified. Have small children and was feeling stressed with other stuff before this, now can hardly catch my breath. I don't know if I will be able to concentrate at work tomorrow. Has anyone got any reassuring words at all that might take the edge off? The GP said the are felt 'nodular' but also told me not to worry. Easier said than done!

I had the same a few months back OP. It was scary but the staff at the breast clinic were great. They did a mammogram and then I waited in the waiting room for about 15 mins then went in to see the Dr who did a full examination. About 20 mins after the results came back and all was fine.
I know it’s so hard but try not to panic 💐

I thought that it was standard to refer any lumps to the breast clinic to be checked. I've had this twice and both times the GP told me I didn't need to worry, and both times all was fine - although it's easier said than done, I tried not to worry and trust the GP! I assumed they wouldn't say not to worry if they thought there was something to be concerned about.

It's the best way to get you seen by the right people. They can offer advice if the pain is unmanageable and they will check you out. It's a positive thing in a current climate where medical care is hit and miss.
Best of luck OP and finding ways to keep calm could be mindfulness, meditation, yoga, gentle walks or swims- the time will soon pass and you'll get a better picture with what you're dealing with. Try really hard not to catastrophize.

I had the same a while back, OP. Only had to wait a fortnight to be seen at breast clinic but they were the longest couple of weeks of my life. It's easy to convince yourself of the worst case scenario but try not to worry - the vast majority of cases are benign as I'm sure you're aware. I had a mammogram, ultrasound and physical examination all in the one appointment and thankfully they were able to say with near certainty that it was nothing to worry about - hopefully they give you the same peace of mind on the day. They then followed up with a letter a short while later confirming the all clear. Fingers crossed for you.

Im going through similar right now @HTruffle
Was referred to the breast clinic at christmas and had my appointment this morning. Brace yourself for a wait, it took five hours! I’d bring a book if you can.

If the clinic is similar to mine, they did everything on site same day. So exam, ultrasound and biopsy. Results and follow up expected within 7 days.

My experience so far has been reassuring, with everything you see on the news about the NHS I’ve been seen quickly and all the doctors and nurses have been great.

Thanks all. You've all made me feel much better. I hope your results are all fine, @koalaklub . I will be thinking of you.
I was just so taken aback. The pain is so mild but she said the breast felt 'nodular'. To me they do not feel any different than ever before. She did say several times not to worry. But I can hardly think of anything else. I'm trying not to catastrophise. Don't even know whether to tell anyone - I've told my DH who is lovely but telling family / friends feels like it's making the situation even bigger. Considering asking for a few days off work but not sure whether that will make things better or worse!

Hi,

Just adding to the "try not to worry" message.

I was diagnosed with BC on the 2ww in 2018 and can confirm the waiting/worrying is horrendous.

I try my best not to worry for future scans etc, the problem for me is I have already been given bad news once, so it is my go to worry.

It is way more likely to be something else, mostly BC is not painful too, my GP definitely didnt tell me not to worry either, so hope that gives you some comfort. My advice would be to keep as busy as possible and forget about it as much as you can.

In actual fact, if it is bad news, once you have a plan it weirdly feels so much more manageable too. It is the not knowing that messes with your head the most!

All the best x

I had a lump a few months ago and was referred on the 2ww too. I was terrified but everyone around me reminded me the vast majority of referrals are not cancer (think over 90%). Remember this!

When I went for my appointment the consultant couldn't actually find the lump and said it was actually just an inflamed nodule. I was scanned and all was good.

Chances are you will have a similar experience. It's great that your GP took it seriously and sent you to be checked. Mine told me when they actually suspect cancer they always tell the patient and that she didn't in my case but best to check it out. Yours said she thinks it's nothing serious so I'd try to remember that when you're panicking.

All the best.

Op, I was at the breast clinic today. Found a lump in New Year, rang my gp last Tuesday, got a face to face appointment by 10.30 same day. Gp confirmed yes that's definitely a "suspicious" lump but didn't think it was sinister but as I'm 49, and the lump wasn't painful he referred me. I got my appointment within 6 days which was this morning.

I have no idea how I've got through the last six days, I've been paralysed with fear and hardly eaten. You've no choice but to just get through it the best you can, it's hell, it really is, I so know what you must be going through .

I was there about three hours today. Saw a consultant first who examined me, got his biro out and drew over my boob where he found a suspicious thickening (not the lump I went with incidentally which freaked me out even more) and then I had a mammogram (which had to be done twice unfortunately 😮) and ultrasound before seeing the consultant for my results.

I was fine, mine is just the lobules in my breast filling with fluid in line with hormonal fluctuations (probably not helped by my age) which can feel like lumps in the breast. I asked him why I get pain in one breast more than the other. No rhyme or reason apparently, it's just one of those things. Pain is rarely anything sinister.

I'm sure you will be fine but I know that won't make you feel any better because everyone kept saying that to me but it didn't stop me catastrophising and worrying. It's every woman's nightmare isn't it?

We are here to hold your hand op, keep posting 😘

You are all very kind. Sorry to hear of your diagnosis @noodles44 but I hope you are well now. It sounds like many of us have been there.

I feel a little more in control of myself now than I did earlier but still pretty petrified really. My kids have been in a nice easy mood today so I just involved myself in what they were doing which took my mind off things.

I’m almost afraid to poke & prod the area but the couple of times I have done I don’t feel anything different to how it’s always been. I almost wished I hadn’t been to the GP!! It’s almost as if what she was saying and the way she was saying it didn’t match. She said she’d refer me to the breast clinic but sounded really relaxed & chilled about it, telling me not to worry. But the link I received from her was from the cancer research website :-( so frightened.

Try not to worry too much, easier said than done I know! The waiting is the hardest part, waiting for your first appointment is a very scary time but be reassured by the fact that 3 out of 4 cases sent through the breast cancer investigation route are benign and breast cancer is one of the more successful cancers to treat. Having been down this route I can assure you that if you do need any treatment you will receive the best care and attention. I was dealt with very swiftly and efficiently all the way through and I cannot praise the NHS enough for this. Good luck.

I just wanted to update those on the thread who were kind enough to take the time to offer reassurance. I decided to book into our nearest private hospital’s breast clinic today and all is fine. Had an ultrasound and an appt with a consultant. I am very grateful to you all for sharing your experiences at a time when I was very stressed. Best wishes to all those awaiting appointments or results.

Great news, now you can relax.

Glad all is well!

Great news OP. I did the same this week because our local breast clinic is really over run. Fwiw I've apparently got 'lumpy breasts' - they don't feel especially lumpy to me but apparently it's a thing.

Brilliant news, thanks for your good wishes too up-thread, I am (hopefully) clear for now. Last mammogram was in Dec xx