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Original poster

Urgent breast clinic referral

54 replies

catherine2108 · 19/01/2023 17:56

I’m terrified, I found a small lump in my breast whilst in the shower, I managed to get into the doctors today, she said she could feel several lumps in my left boob most likely to be breast tissue but she has referred me to the breast clinic urgently, I lost my mum 4 years ago (not breast cancer) and now my dad has just been diagnosed with lymphoma, I just can’t believe this is happening and I’m terrified it’s the worst and I won’t be here for my children 😞

OP posts:
PrinceHaz · 19/01/2023 18:01

Most are benign and for those that aren’t there is so much that can be done.
I found the wait between referral and appointment hard but once the consultant told me about my cancer I felt a lot better as I knew what I was dealing with.
Very best wishes! If you do find out it’s cancer there is a very supportive group on here.

Nimbostratus100 · 19/01/2023 18:03

it is probably not cancer, and if it is, it is very treatable - you will be there for your children, dont worry. YOu are doing the right thing to get it checked out, so it can be sorted if it need sorting

Alltheclouds · 19/01/2023 18:05

They send any lumpy breasts on the urgent pathway. I've been there twice, and both times it's been ok. Easier said than done to not panic, but try to remember that most referrals turn out to be benign.

Sorry about your mum and dad, and sending very best wishes Flowers

Notjusta · 19/01/2023 18:08

I know it's really worrying, but it's good you've been referred. This is standard for breast lumps. As PP have said most will not be cancer. If they are cancer there is plenty of very successful treatment available. I know several woman who have had breast cancer in their 30s/40s who are still very much here to tell the tale. Flowers

LauraDLoves · 19/01/2023 18:16

I’m 41 and I’ve been referred twice in the last year. Both turned out to be cysts and nothing to worry about. I was, however, absolutely terrified in the lead up to the first appointment convincing myself of worst case scenarios. Since then I’ve just had to get used to having lumps that spring up that need checking. This will keep happening until after the menopause apparently.

I think the statistics are that 90% of these referrals turn out to be nothing to worry about. For women in their 30s-40s it’s probably higher than that.

Hope you don’t have to wait too long for your appointment x

Original poster
catherine2108 · 19/01/2023 18:27

Thank you for all you're kind words, as you know the waiting is unbearable, I don't have many people I can talk too, it always used to be mum I told everything too, if it is bad news I hope I've caught it early xx

OP posts:
mulberrybag5 · 20/01/2023 08:50

Catherine, I’m so sorry to hear about your mum and dad. I’m in a similar boat waiting to be seen. I noticed a lump appear under my left arm pit after waxing last October. It was big, came up like an ingrown hair and then did go down in a few days. It’s left a lump under the skin. I noticed it again this week and went to the gp who had referred me. She says my beasts are normal (but I googled and sometimes you can’t feel things), the lump is tender but firm. I was in tears. I have 2 primary aged children and suffer terribly with anxiety. She said she hasn’t put me on the 2 week pathway so it could be a long wait. Because of that, I’ve referred myself using my husbands healthcare (I know I’m very fortunate to have this and hope no one takes offence to me using this) and am being seen on Tuesday evening. I have found this week so isolating and I’m consumed with worry, tearful etc. How long is the wait in your area?

Original poster
catherine2108 · 20/01/2023 11:30

I'm sorry to hear you're going through this too, I have been put on the 2 week path way I am petrified, I'm hoping you're results are not bad news, I just can't think about anything else 😞 xx

OP posts:
Skap · 20/01/2023 12:22

Doctors send all breast lumps on the 2ww and the vast, vast majority are not cancer. The tiny minority that are cancer are very often curable.
Just to give you a picture of what happens.
Make sure you allow half a day for the appointment.
The breast clinic is a one stop shop. They have doctors, radiologists and specialist breast care nurses. You will be called in and out of the waiting room several times for all the tests.
You will probably have a mammogram first and then see the doctor who will have the results in front of her. The doctor will examine you and then arrange an ultrasound. They may do a biopsy at that point as well.
Then you go back in to see the doctor.
Their expertise is such that they often know at this point whether it’s cancer and they will tell you if they think it’s likely, they won’t send you home without a clue.
This can easily take 3 or 4 hours but at the end you have a good idea what’s wrong.

mulberrybag5 · 20/01/2023 12:57

I’m the same, can’t think of anything else. I’m not eating, feel on edge and weepy xx

Original poster
catherine2108 · 20/01/2023 14:28

Skap · 20/01/2023 12:22

Doctors send all breast lumps on the 2ww and the vast, vast majority are not cancer. The tiny minority that are cancer are very often curable.
Just to give you a picture of what happens.
Make sure you allow half a day for the appointment.
The breast clinic is a one stop shop. They have doctors, radiologists and specialist breast care nurses. You will be called in and out of the waiting room several times for all the tests.
You will probably have a mammogram first and then see the doctor who will have the results in front of her. The doctor will examine you and then arrange an ultrasound. They may do a biopsy at that point as well.
Then you go back in to see the doctor.
Their expertise is such that they often know at this point whether it’s cancer and they will tell you if they think it’s likely, they won’t send you home without a clue.
This can easily take 3 or 4 hours but at the end you have a good idea what’s wrong.

Thank you this has been really helpful that's very kind of you, I have my appointment confirmed for 31st January this will be be the longest week and a half ever x

OP posts:
thaegumathteth · 20/01/2023 14:37

OP - I was sent on the 2w pathway recently because I had nipple discharge. I was TERRIFIED but from extensive googling it is absolutely true that most lumps are BENIGN. Actually I had to go to the breast clinic when I was younger with lumps and they were nothing, just normal breast tissue that had changed for some reason.

I went private this time because we have insurance but really the overwhelming chances are that you'll be ok. Try and just consciously push it to the back of your mind and keep busy.

mulberrybag5 · 20/01/2023 16:01

I’ve extensively googled and touched the lump and think I’m in such a dark place mentally. It’s tough when you are in that place to reason with yourself x

BG2015 · 20/01/2023 17:37

Breast Cancer Now are a good website to get information from.They we're very supportive during my diagnosis and treatment.

mulberrybag5 · 20/01/2023 20:44

Thanks bg2015 x

thesandwich · 20/01/2023 20:50

Great advice from pps on this thread. As everyone on the long running cancer threads will say, waiting for the diagnosis is by far the hardest part of treatment.
And stay away from Google- only use Macmillan or breast cancer now, the sites recommended by the breast cancer nurses and use the phone lines if you want to talk to someone.

Eatentoomanyroses · 20/01/2023 20:54

i got referred a couple of years ago. I was even more scared when two days later I got the appointment through. I got the all clear though. They do just refer anything to do with lumps. Lots of women just have lumpy breasts. Hope it’s all fine for you

mulberrybag5 · 20/01/2023 22:29

I spoke to a nurse today as I had a query about whether I can shave and she said the guidelines now on referrals mean more referrals are being made as the onus is now on precaution.

lifeinthehills · 20/01/2023 22:52

Sorry you're going through this OP. I've done it a couple of times and it's very scary waiting for results, even when logically, you know the odds are well on your side. Keep busy and hopefully you're given the all clear soon.

mulberrybag5 · 20/01/2023 23:07

I find it difficult to think logically as it’s like I have to prepare myself for the worst x

lifeinthehills · 20/01/2023 23:12

mulberrybag5 · 20/01/2023 23:07

I find it difficult to think logically as it’s like I have to prepare myself for the worst x

I know what you mean. I always felt like life was on hold until the all clear, until I knew what was next.

Titsywoo · 20/01/2023 23:18

They always put you on the 2 week pathway for breast lumps in my experience. I've been on it twice and it's been fine. I've been on it for other things which were fine to. Most of the time it isn't cancer. Try not to worry too much. Distraction is the best option. I'm pretty sure I'm about to go on another 2 week wait as gp asked me to come see her within a week after a scan on Wednesday (not breast). After so many of these I'm just working on the theory that I'll worry when someone says something is definitely wrong! Hope all goes well OP.

Tanfastic · 21/01/2023 15:58

I was in exactly the same boat a couple of weeks ago and I was petrified. There was a definite lump that the gp could feel so was referred under the cancer pathway. My lump had disappeared by the time my hospital appointment came round but I still went and I'm glad I did because they found another area of concern they wanted to check out. Luckily mine was just hormonal fluid fluctuations in my lobules so basically I just have lumpy boobs.

You just have to try and get through it op, it's so terrifying, but something just gets you through it. I'm so glad I got checked out and I've also jumped the queue for my over 50 mammogram too (which I wouldn't have got until I was probably 52 as they are behind in my area). - I'm 49.

All will be ok, I'm sure.

mulberrybag5 · 21/01/2023 18:07

I’m trying to stay busy and distracted. I almost don’t want Tuesday to come x

Pinkypie123 · 23/01/2023 22:07

Its so nerve wracking! Ive just been referred today. Went in as had a pink dry patch on breast, Doc says probably excema but did a breast exam and said thickened tissue in one breast. I'm so worried, I have been having back and neck problems for months, physio says muscular but my mind has gone into overdrive about spreading cancer now.