Referral for thickened breast tissue - so worried

[Pinkypie123]

Hi, I'm 46 and been referred on 2 week pathway for thickened breast tissue in right breast. I cant feel it at all but picked up in breast exam by Physician Associate at Docs. I'm so worried and so many stories I read seem to talk about 'lumps' rather than thickening, just wondering if anyone had any positive thickening stories!

What diagnostic tests have you been referred for?

I've been referred to the breast clinic at the hopsital, the letter says they will do breast exam, ultrasound/mammogram etc as necessary

There are so many other things it could be.
Try to distract yourself while you wait.

Thank you, I'm trying my best to be rational but is very hard! I'm just panicking and worrying so much about my DC. Thanks for replying!

Just to update in case anyone looks at this thread in the future - all was fine, normal glandular tissue xxx

I had similar op a few weeks' ago, I found a lump at Xmas, got referred to the breast clinic urgently but by the time the appointment came round a week later the lump had disappeared. However I still went and the consultant who examined me confirmed the lump was no longer there but then announced he'd found some "thickened" tissue he wanted to look at, drew a big circle in biro round where he felt it.

Turns out the same as you, actually nothing at all there so no idea what he was feeling as I have felt so many times and can't feel a thing!

I'm so glad o got checked out though, they were so thorough.

So glad all was well with you Tanfastic! I can't feel it either, they said to keep checking breasts for changes but I couldn't have told you it was thick in the first place! Such a relief to get the all clear though and being referred a lot more common than I had thought

Hello, new here, i’ve been to the docs as I noticed a dent in my breast and she examined felt for anything and said she couldn’t find any lumps and she doesn’t think it’s anything sinister but she did notice some breast tissue thickening on same side as dent, have been referred to breast clinic she said just to see why the tissue is thickened but worried sick! Anyone got any advice or experience with this? :( I suffer from health anxiety too so really worried! Got my app through for this Saturday but had to cancel as I’m going to Italy that morning now being told could take upto 6 weeks for next app, talk about bad timing :(

Hi, I'm the OP for this thread. I completely understand your fears, I worried myself sick. I had thickened tissue and all totally fine. What I found in my panic googling (not a good idea) was that all kinds of differences in breasts can be normal but obviously getting them checked out is so important. Afterwards when. talking about it I was amazed how many people I knew who had been. referred and just fine. I'm sorry you had to cancel your appointment and you can't get it over with before your trip. Have you tried ringing the clinic to ask to be added to a waiting list for cancellations? Just focus on the Dr's words that she didn't think it was anything sinister. My Doc told me that no matter what they find, if it isn't 100% normal (which a lot of breasts aren't!) then they have to refer, the referral threshold is very low! Take lots of care x

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply Pinkypie I have taken everything you have said into account and fortunately they rang back with an app for this Friday! The day before I travel hopefully it’s good news. I haven’t been able to tell any family as my stepmother is currently seriously unwell in hospital with a serious blood disorder and I don’t want to add to peoples worries unless there is something to worry about. I’ve stayed off google but still worrying and have found a further dent so flapping just now and can’t rest :(

Hi a late update, had my appointment on 19th may at the Breast clinic at hospital consultant examined also had ultrasound by radiologist and both said don’t think anything sinister and that they didn’t see/feel any thickened tissue? However the consultant wants to send me for a mammogram (app on 14th June) just for an extra safety check but she seemed confident nothing sinister is wrong. I’m still really worried didn’t expect to get a mammogram at aged 30, not sure why I would need one if they are confident nothings wrong

I’m sure it’s just an extra precaution and to make sure they’ve covered all areas, I’m pretty sure the ultrasound would show anything sinister. Only a few more days to wait and I hope they can give you the result pretty quickly.

The waiting is terrible isn’t it? I’m on the 2ww for thickened tissue on breast and lymph node lump and the wait is killing me. NHS must be busy as my “urgent” referral not until 28th June ☹️

Sorry I only just realised you had responded to me!! And thought I’d update for anyone else coming across this thread - had my mammogram on 14th june and got my letter with results two weeks later and all is clear, got told no worrying abnormalities, Just a ridge of breast tissue they said. I hope your appointment went well? X

If anyone is still active on this group… what did your thickened tissue feel like?

I can feel like a floating ridge kind of lump which I’m concerned about

@Hh1626i have something similar. It’s at the side of my right breast and I can’t hold it like if it was a circular lump it’s definitely more ridgy. It did flare up over Easter which is how I noticed it but it then went down quite a lot…. I went to my GP who said she thinks it’s normal breast tissue but to go back in 6 weeks if I am still concerned. I’ve booked an apt with a private breast clinic and am having my appointment with them tomorrow. Im hoping I can get a mammogram through them. I’m going on hols in 2 weeks so want to get it checked before I go. Im hopeful it’s nothing to worry about but I won’t relax if I don’t get it checked.

Oh no sorry to hear this, I know this worry so well it’s happened to me a lot! Depending on how old you are you may not be offered a mammogram (possibly under 40 don’t get one, but could be wrong). You should get an ultrasound and they will be able to tell you there and then if there are any concerns.

Mine felt like a long ridge not really like a lump (although I have lumps and bumps too that were checked and confirmed as cysts). Mine was tissue.

Hope it goes well today.

Just had my apt. I was expecting them to tell me to come back but they did a mammogram and ultrasound there and then and all clear. Pesky peri-menopause hormones.

Mine felt like a hardness. It was in fact bone when it was scanned. I have a slightly protruding bone in the top half of one of my breasts. I knew that however the consultant who checked my breasts didn’t!