Breast clinic referral

[uka888]

Hi,

Just hoping for some help to calm my nerves!
I have been referred to the breast clinic next week. In November I was slightly worried about my breasts, they are naturally quite lumpy, a couple of people at work have been diagnosed with breast cancer and with there being family history of it in my family I got myself worked up and worried if I was checking right so I went to my doctor.

I explained about the family history, he did a breast examination and wasn't concerned but said because of the family history he would refer me to see if I would be eligible for early screening. The breast clinic rejected my referral because it wasn't based on any symptoms now, so it was referred to genetics.

In the meantime I had to change doctors due to moving, registered with new doctors and because of my concerns and anxiety about this two other doctors did breast checks in November, I then felt reassured so sort of forgot about it.

Just before Christmas a spot appeared on my right breast, sort of out of nowhere, it was a little sore and I haven't had spots on my breasts before. I picked it and put some nivea cream on and it started to look a little better, wasn't sore anymore.

I have been aware that there is still a red mark/little spot so this week I thought I should double check (with the family history I am aware I am anxious about breast cancer) with the doctors, had an appointment on Tuesday she looked at it said she thinks it is just where I picked the spot, did a thorough breast check couldn't find anything although on the right breast she did say in one area I think that's just a node, don't know what she meant by that. Anyway she said she could use this to refer me to the breast clinic so I can get thoroughly checked out and ask questions about family history etc. She's suggested sudacrem for the spot.

The referral has come through for next week, I am glad she has referred me because of my anxiety on it but I'm really worried that the sudacream hasn't made any difference to the spot yet and what if the doctors who previously checked me missed something? I'm 34, I know women unfortunately get breast cancer at all ages.

Has anyone been to a breast clinic before? What should I expect?

Yes many times. Generally, you would have a mammogram and an ultrasound. Because of your age, you might just have an ultrasound. If they find anything they are worried about, they will likely tell you straight away so worth taking someone with you. Having said that, you have been checked several times and it seems the doctors are not worried. So you will hopefully be ok. If you discuss your history and concerns, they may refer you to a family history clinic. Good luck and hope you get some reassurance.

Thank you Coper. I have never been to a breast clinic before so am really scared. My cousin had breast cancer 7 years ago when she was 23.
Do you think lots of women get referred and it ends up being ok? The waiting is horrible!

I can’t remember the stats but I am sure it is something like 9 out of 10 lumps are benign and you don’t actually have a lump! There are conditions that don’t present with lumps I think, but again, your doctors do not seem at all concerned in your case. I absolutely understand the anxiety. I have lost 3 family members to breast cancer and have had a number of scares myself. Keeping everything crossed for you.

Yes twice in 10 years. Both times was benign.
Sounds like you have an understanding doctor. I'm sure you are fine. i had proper lumps both times, first was a fibroadenoma ten years ago and last year a cyst. both times I thought i had BC as I have family history.
This check will almost certainly give you peace of mind. Good luck!

Do you think lots of women get referred and it ends up being ok?

Absolutely this. Nearly everyone in that waiting room will be clear. EVEN WITH A LUMP.Hold on to that thought.

At 37 I only had ultrasound and core biopsy. at 47 I had mammo, ultrasound and drainage of the cyst. Breasts can be too dense at 34 for a mammo.

I get my lumps scanned annually and have done since I was 30. It's v reassuring as self check is so hard.

First time's the worst - after that it's just routine. I also have close family history.

I was at the breast clinic today! I found a lump just before Christmas and since then notice one of my nipples had a slight dimple on one side. Went to GP felt that the lump was nothing to be concerned about but would refer me anyway as it's always better to be checked. I went to my apt today - was called in for a breast examination where the Dr said he felt nothing of concern but would ultrasound anyway. (I was petrified despite him saying he felt nothing of concern). Went for ultrasound and it appeared the lump had disappeared! They told me they would rather see someone 100 and it's nothing than not see them once and it's something! Fingers crossed you get the news you're hoping for!

Also it turned out the dimpling on my nipple was totally normal but other nipple is scarred so that's why I was convinced it was something else!

Thank you all for your replies.
Im feeling more anxious each day! I feel I can ‘feel’ my breasts and have occasional pain in them both but this has only come on the last couple of days so it maybe because it’s my mind playing tricks.
My period is due a couple of days after my appointment, will they still be able to check the breasts ok and distinguish between anything bad and how they maybe because of time of the month?
For those of you who have been is it ok to go by yourself or do most people have someone with them in the waiting room?

I was due on today and breasts very tender and swollen and it was no problem for them, they did ask about my cycle too.

I didn't take anyone with me but I wish I had as it was quite nerve wracking & I was super anxious the whole time!

Yep, I've just been. Always had the lumpy boobs and checking them ends up with me making them sore, so asked the doctor to check.

He referred me and I had a mammogram, examination and ultrasound, all within an hour. Got a fibroadenoma and got told to wear sports bras as it's probably my underwiring causing pain.

My DH came with me and was most impressed how efficient it was, esp as it was during the Christmas holidays. Much happier for going finally.

My boobs got very sore because I kept checking them. Try to leave alone.I got the cyst I mention upthread a couple of weeks before my period. By the time the appointment came it had reduced and I felt a bit silly bit it was still there so I went anyway. The mammo was a bit uncomfortable due to time of the month but bearable. Now I only check my breasts thoroughly in the shower in the week AFTER my period so I don't put myself through it. the dr said the cyst could have been left to shrink but it was great watching the little git that had caused me terrible panic, just disappear on the screen.

Oh first lump I went alone, didn't even tell DH as I couldn't cope saying it out loud. This last time I told him and her came, it helped lots as he is not prone to panic like me. He stayed in the waiting room.

I went alone when I went a few years ago, but I wasn’t anxious about the appointment but my family would have been, which would have made it worse for me.

So i’d say take someone with you if they’ll make it easier for you. You sound very anxious about it so if you have someone who will be a calming, supportive presence I’d take them. (Oh and I think when I went it was probably 50:50 people alone/ with someone.)

I am really nervous. The spot seems to be getting worse. It had turned to a scar but since I’ve been putting sudacrem I’ve woken up today and it has turned into a spot again. When I look at hat breast from the side I also don’t know if there is puckering, I remember pointing this out to the doctors before on both breasts but they said it was stretch marks! But it seems to look different on this breast compared to the other. Is it bad news that it’s turned back into a spot? I’m worried about the rare forms like IBC I know they don’t often start as lumps.

Far more likely to have a spot, dry skin condition, stretch mark than IBC, particularly at your age. you've made the appointment, you will be checked. I think you need to try to stop looking and analysing and get really busy. i know my house was tidied, sorted and cleaned several times during my 2 week wait. I know that's easier said than done but the mind is your worst enemy here, not the spot.

Thank you all for your emails, just hearing from people with experience of going to the clinic helps.
I am feeling anxious so are doing my best to keep busy.
I know I’ve been checked by 4 doctors in the last couple of months, I’m just worried because this spot is new plus sometimes you hear of doctors missing things! Is IBC quite rare? Especially in younger women?
Could it be the sudacrem that has turned the scar back into a spot again?

I think step away from the boobs and Dr Google and Sudacrem! When is your appointment? Everything crossed. X

www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/inflammatory?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImJPv6oH83wIVyLTtCh3l2w2JEAAYASAAEgLN8_D_BwE

Yes it's rare in all age groups but even rarer in yours.

OP, imagine this 'spot' was on your leg-would you be thinking it's cancer? Skin on breasts is still skin and can have anything on it that other skin has.

I know, your completely right greenpop, I wouldn’t be. I think I’m just concerned that it’s been there since around 20th Dec. And I picked it which left a scar and now it’s like a scar and a spot. It doesn’t look like a normal spot I think that’s what’s worrying me. I thought it would’ve healed by now.

So the spot / red mark is still there :-(

I was hoping it would fade a bit or something before now to give me a bit of peace of mind.

My breast clinic appointment is tomorrow afternoon, just trying to keep as busy as possible. Just really worried of being told bad news :-(

This time tomorrow you will hopefully, have peace of mind. Please come back and let us know as many people don't. I found these threads helped me so much when I was in panic mode. Good luck!

Thank you, yes I will come back and update.
Are a lot of women’s breasts naturally lumpy? Mine feel naturally lumpy especially in the lower half, it’s so hard to know if they are ‘normal’ lumps or not.