Breast Lump / genetic screening

[medianewbie]

Can I ask for a bit of company please?
I have a 1-stop- shop breast appointment at local cottage hospital on Thursday. It's for a lump that's in same breast & place as 2 years ago (discharged then) so probably nothing.

But: I've been waiting nearly 3m, (GP went on hols & 'forgot referral, then Consultant off ill'. I am also waiting results of my genetic screening after my Mother died last year (her stage 4 ovarian cancer was missed again & again by NHS & she died a pitiful death in pain too.

So, I know it's prob nothing, but - I have no faith in NHS now if it's not nothing. I'm a Carer for my 2 disabled kids, so it HAS to be nothing. No one knows in RL (single parent now) so I've come here.

Hi OP. What a sad and scary time you’ve been through with your mum. It’s terribly traumatic and waiting on your own lump to be ruled out as anything more serious is a trauma in itself.
I can guide you a bit. My mother and all of her siblings carry the gene for Lynch syndrome which quadruples the risk of ovarian/womb/breast/bowel/pancreatic/brain/thyroid cancers (are we done yet?!). It’s an utter blow to our family but we live with it.
I personally was declined genetic testing until my brother had cancer. I was told many years ago that despite my maternal history, the fact that my two siblings had not had cancer ruled out genetic screening (back then, about a decade ago, mum hadn’t been genetically tested. So I didn’t have any ‘reason’ to be screened, in their view. Mum was only tested after her son, my brother, died and his genetic counsellor contacted the family- he was in the US).
I am awaiting an appointment with the genetic team in North London. My GP referred me and they’re still deciding whether or not I’m entitled to genetic testing (kind of crazy considering my brother and mother both had/have the gene AND cancer). My other brother has not inherited it! I’d love to know what my own risk is.

Have a talk with your GP about a referral. Talk to the consultant screening you too. If you can’t get it done on the NHS, there’s the private route, which is so expensive (around £1000-£2k) but you can’t put a price on reassurance. Knowing that you don’t have a faulty gene is priceless and worth every penny. And knowing that you do have a faulty gene allows you to be proactive in your screening and in practicing preventative medicine.

Oh my heavens! You’ve had the genetic screening! Sorry. Ignore my whole post!
Can you pay for a private mammogram? I’d be considering this.
I had mine done recently and they lost the results for 3 months (which is kind of hellish if you’re worried about genetics).

@TheVanguardSix thank you for replying to me. It's really awful that you were not promptly offered screening on the NHS on your circs. I'm waiting on mine (they said 2 - 3 months).
My Mother was treated shamefully (I believe my Brother wants to 'sue the NHS'!). Its not an isolated incident either. I e had some rubbish care from rhe cottage hospital in the past, so am anxious about Thursday re that too. I'm sorry you're results 'got lost' for months too (was that NHS or private?)

I had a copy letter from the Screening service to GP today, but it's just the facts from my referral (6 wks ago, but only typed up last wk & they've sneakily altered the dates which suits GP too as it makes it appear that I consulted her about my breast lump a month later than I did: Pah!) Still not long until my appt now ...

I'm at my appt, but there's no Radiologist avail so 'they'll have a wee squint & call me in a week if any issues'. (I've started a separate thread but if @TheVanguardSix sees this pls think of me?)