have lump in breast - told it will be treated as 'non urgent' as I am breastfeeding.

[pofacedandproud]

Went to gp yesterday about lump in breast I've felt for a few weeks. It is tender around the area too and she said it might be mastitis. I've had mastitis a few times and know how it feels. This doesn't feel like that. She rang the breast specialist at the hospital who suggesting putting a needle in it at the doctors surgery [by gp not by specialist]not quite sure why, but to see if anything came out of it Don't fancy that at all so she has referred me but said 'non urgently' Feel a bit concerned. I know they think I'm a hypochondriac, I've been to the breast clinic before and they found a cyst [same breast] and I've also had palpitations earlier this year and was referred to cardiologist [i cancelled as palpitations went on for 2 months then stopped]

Should I just wait for a non urgent appt? Any way I can push for a quicker referral?

[pofacedandproud]

i don't want the needle in the gp's surgery as it is something they are not experienced in doing.

[wishingchair]

No idea why they are treating you any differently to any other person with a lump. I have a friend who found a lump whilst bf and thankfully her dr did refer her as it was cancer. She is fine now btw ... but possibly wouldn't have been if she hadn't caught it when she did. Not saying this is the same for you but because there's a chance (however slim) I'd push for referral. It's irrelevant how many other referrals you've had ... a person's allowed to have more than one thing going on at the same time!

[mummygogo]

I would just try and get a referral as soon as they physically can. I was preg and found a lump gp said we could leave it and see what happens in a few weeks but I said I'd rather have someone look at it. It took a couple of weeks and I had a biopsy and ultrasound (I think under 40s have ultrasound rather than mamogram?) Anyway a further couple of weeks and the results came back to say all clear it was a breast mouse.

There are lots of different types of lumps and bumps that you can get in your breast but you are absolutely right to want to get it looked at.

[pofacedandproud]

a breast mouse? Never heard of that! Yes I do hope I get an ultrasound not a mammogram. Can't afford to go private. But will see if I can get a private appt then an NHS ultrsound, don't know if that is possible.

[poppy34]

Poface I would push for referral to set your mind at rest. I developed a lump when bf with dd and got a private referral as nhs wait was 4 weeks which is long when you are b/f. They did scan and aspiration and found a galactacole. Still being treated a year on (another story) but basically symptom is like slow growing lump (it's not ESP tender so not like mastitis).

[poppy34]

And sympathies as I worried sick about this til saw doc - if you do get private referral and are in London i thoroughly recommend the breast clinic in Harley street.

[bigstripeytiger]

I had a non urgent referral for a breast lump, and the appointment was 10 days later.

Once you appointment comes through, if it is longer than you think you can wait for you could phone the number on the appointment card and see if they can fit you in sooner.

[pofacedandproud]

thanks poppy. I'll ring about a private referral monday and see if i can get referred back into the system if so. Glad yours is benign but it does sound a bit scary.

[lou031205]

Pain is a reassuring sign, malignancies are often painless. Cysts can be huge, and a large lump which has only appeared very recently is more likely to be a cyst. Tbh, if you attended the clinic I used to work in (Rapid access gold standard breast clinic) the first thing they would do is stick a needle in. Fluid out, lump disappears = cyst. They then send it off to the lab for cytology & the woman gets a result the same afternoon.

[pofacedandproud]

yes i've had the needle in the past [shudder!] I don't mind someone experienced doing it if need be. I just don't know if the lump is painful or the area, iyswim.

[lou031205]

I take it you are sure it isn't a blocked duct? Have you tried a warm bath or warm flannel on your breast & massage towards the nipple?

[pofacedandproud]

yes have tried massage etc. Has worked with previous mastitis.

[poppy34]

Sounds like could be glactaceole (which is blocked duct that won't go) which is my problem. Is it a golf ball type lump near the nipple?

[pofacedandproud]

it is not as bit as a golf ball - a marble i'd say. Quite close to under nipple, slightly to the side..

[pofacedandproud]

big!