2WW for breast clinic referral - anyone care to join me?

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Referred to breast clinic yesterday after finally acknowledging I wasn't imagining the indent on my left boob. Normally I'm very sanguine and unflappy but this has me completely distracted and tearful. I've banned myself from Google (easy now as I've read everything ever published about breast indents over the last 24 hours) but have no idea how I'm going to avoid going bonkers while I wait. I don't want to talk about it IRL till I know if there's anything to talk about, but think I need an outlet. Anyone else in the same boat?

Yay!! that's brilliant Vi37!! Did they say what it was or were they just vague about it being benign like with mine? xxx

Just found out that the "consultant" i saw at the breast clinic who was really unpleasant was actually a nurse so I didn't get to see a consultant.

They said that the inflammation and thickening within my breast was felt to be benign but how on earth would they know? Research papers online say that in the case of inflammation and thickening a biopsy is usually needed because it's difficult to tell between benign and malignant causes.

I'm feeling fed up now!

Can I just ask anyone who went private for their One-stop breast clinic consultations whereabouts in the country you are and what the cost was? I am not happy with inflammation and thickening of an unknown cause!

Step away from dr google my friend!

In the first instance could you possibly phone breast clinic again and explain to them your concerns and see if they offer you another appointment to come in? Or speak to pals and say you weren’t happy? Or could you revisit your gp and see if they can help?

It just seems a bit ridiculous that you need to spend money to go private when you should have had a thorough explanation at the time - and I am sure you could find better things to spend the money on.

Hope you are doing ok Vi - you’ve gone awfully quiet on us. Hope it goes ok. Xxx

Hi Thingwhatsit,

Thanks, I will phone the hospital to ask for more details as I wasn't given the opportunity to ask questions about the ultrasound results.

I'm going to contact my uncle who's a doctor and ask whether he thinks I should get a second opinion or whether it's likely that it really was clear on the ultrasound that the inflammation and thickening are benign!

Vi37, that's so great that everything is fine- did you have an ultrasound and/or mammogram?

That's great Vi37. I am getting a bit nervous about my appointment on Monday. I was told that I would be getting a proper breast clinic appointment but have just been given an outpatient one. They lady on the phone said it would be similar to what my gp did. My gp wanted me referred urgently so I'm not sure what this appt will achieve. I just feel it is delaying getting answers.

Stardanced, mine was a proper breast clinic appointment but it is in an out patient department. They’re better at booby things than doctors! X

Emily, no I wasn’t given an explanation but I don’t really care what it is as long as it isn’t cancer. I didn’t even ask I just went home. I’m not going to think about it any more now. X

That's amazing news Vi37! hope you have a great weekend xx

Hi Stardanced, thinking of you. I think most breast clinics are outpatient clinics- is the one that you are due to attend different? Perhaps you'll still get referred for a same day mammo or ultrasound. I hope it doesn't delay things.

xxx

Whoo hoo V so glad for you and at the weekend too!! Have a great night and fabulous sleep tonight.

Emily I agree with thingy that you should phone the clinic/hospital about your results.

I was at a one=stop breast clinic within my local general hospital in Midlands. I saw a Consultant, a mammographer, a monographer for US and then back to consultant.

sonographer!

Fantastic news Vi37, so pleased for you xx

Thank you fluffysunshinepants xx

Problem going forward from here is, I’m no wiser as to how to check my breasts for lumps because they are so incredibly lumpy, all the time. They say just get to know what’s normal for you but I can’t tell whether any of the lumps I have were there before or not, that’s why I panic. Also, I press firmly with my fingers to feel and I noticed the dr today more or less just patted them with her whole hand. X

Hi Vi37,

I think that you can look up the checking technique online OR if you prefer you could visit a private wellwoman clinic for a breast health check to be shown how to look for lumps.
You don't squeeze the tissue at all, you pat over the area. If I firmly press into my breasts then I can feel a few fatty lumps but I don't have any medical lumps. I sort of think they should provide advice on how to check for lumps during first smear appointments because that way all women from 25+ would know how to check!

Thank you Cambalamb, I phoned the hospital- they mentioned something about lymphadenopathy/lymphadenitis and I'm still not really sure what's going on. I might visit my GP to ask for more info once he's received the letter from the breast clinic.

That’d be a good idea Emily. I have to go for an unrelated blood test soon to the nurse so I think I’ll mention it to her about my worries. X

www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam

Tips on exam. The one thing I noticed is my GP and consultant examine me lying down with my arms raised above my head, fingers together. I have a feel every day in the shower, not in details but a general feel.
Glad you got some info Emily but if you're not happy then press fro more info and tests.

Thanks Cambalamb!

I wish it was all sorted and I guess maybe it is really but I'm just not sure!

I don't want to waste money on a private breast clinic check-up but equally I don't know if I should just accept that there is inflammation, tissue thickening and lymphadenitis with a cause? Perhaps if I read the letter that is being sent to my GP I will feel reassured that everything is OK but I'm still considering getting a second opinion! x

I know just what you mean. You were so happy and relieved to be told it's not cancer and it's not until later when that elation subsides that you start to wonder what it is. It's your body and it's only your health that is affected, the nurses and doctors move on through the hundreds of women they see weekly. We have to take responsibility for our own health and part of that is being happy that we have been checked properly. Hopefully your GP can put your mind at rest.

Thanks Cambalamb, that's exactly how it is. I hope I'm just worried about nothing! How are you?

wordery.com/breasts-kristi-funk-9780008271404?currency=GBP&gtrck=ZGJzYXdLQUp2cWVaRHBHMHpnRUVqak1XSng4a1lqUmdQcG9VMHM4TFRMVlNJYkdYdXNUUkQzVXhFdHRxb0ZwZHRBR1E5QnhRSGNGNXZCNDFZazdBWXc9PQ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI15b_gvrJ3gIVA8-yCh00RwFtEAQYASABEgKTEvD_BwE

I'm fine thanks. I was so grateful to these threads and found them a release as nobody else knows what it feels like to experience the panic. I found this book helpful after because it lists things that are positive steps towards preventing BC.

Oh that book looks great, thanks!

That's so true that it's really helpful to post on here as other people can't quite understand how anxiety provoking it is! Do you feel calmer now after your scare?

I am feeling a bit down today when I should be elated and relieved that everything is OK! It might just be because there's a bit of doubt over what caused the inflammation or just because it's so exhausting and stressful during the two week wait!

There has been some criticism of that book, some think she overstates the reduction in BC through healthy lifestyle factors but I found it generally quite positive.
Yes it's been 6 months since my last scare so i'm glad it meant I got a mammogram as I'm 47 and would be due one soon anyway.I'm always aware of BC though as my Mum had it.

Hi Cambalamb, I'm so sorry your Mum had BC. That must have made the scares that you had with breast lumps even more anxiety-provoking.

I have a book called 'Anti-cancer a new way of life', which I bought for a family member last year and it is similarly focused on diet and lifestyle changes and I can see why that would be controversial as most cases of cases won't be related to diet. I have started taking Curcumin and Omega 3 supplements, have cut out red meat and started trying to eat more veg though because it cannot help to try!

I am still feeling quite concerned about the unexplained ultrasound findings and lymphadenopathy- I need to try not to think about it tomorrow!