lump in breast - tell me how this is going to work with NHS?

[JoshandJamie]

Before you all shout at me, yes I know I need to go see a doctor. However, let me explain:

I've always had very lumpy boobs. About 8 years ago i felt a lump in my breast and it was slightly sore. At the time i was living in the US and had private medical aid. I ended up having it checked out and they did a biopsy. Turned out it was a cyst of some kind and nothing to be worried about.

Fast forward - having had two pregnancies and inflating/deflating boobs with all sorts of changes going on.

The same boob, in the same place has the lump that was there before, but it feels bigger and more painful now. I am convinced it's the same cyst. But I know I need to get it checked out. But having never dealt with the NHS for anything other than pregnancies and child-related things, I want to know how this is going to work.

I see my GP. And then what? Do they say, yes we need to get it checked out but you need to wait 100 years or do they send you off for some kind of scan or what? Anyone been through this? I know this is my health so need to get it sorted but I have so little time to to do this kind of thing that I am putting it off for fear of getting stuck in some NHS cycle of hell.

Can someone please tell me the process of how it works if you have a lump in you boob?

Theres a two week target for when your GP refers you, to getting seen for breast lumps. Usually this will be at a one stop breast clinic so they will do a mammogram, look at it, then decide whether they need to do a further mammogram/an ultrasound/try and aspirate some fluid/do a needle biopsy, so you get it all done in one go.

Your GP will be able to tell you exactly how it works in your area, but I think most places have gone to the collected services method now.

Under new NHS guidelines, the GP will refer you to a one-stop breast clinic, you should have an appointment within two weeks.
At the breast clinic you will have ultrasound and /or mammogram, and a needle biopsy if required.
You will have ultrasound results same day, mammogram/biopsy results within the week iirc.

Yes, as others say, it will be fast, NHS usually good at this kind of thing.

Right - thank you. Will get it sorted. You know what it's like when you sort everything else out except yourself and DH keeps saying: go to the doctor!!! So i will. Sigh