Breast clinic referral

[cookiemonster5]

Found a lump about 4 weeks ago, seem a dr as soon as I could.

He thought it was glandular so advised I take ibuprofen for 2 weeks then come back for another exam.

Couldn't take the ibuprofen fully for the time because it gave me horrendous headaches after 3 days so had to take it intermittently.

Went back today (first app I could get which is over 3 weeks from the original app) and it's gotten bigger and is still quite painful. He is referring me to the breast clinic but didn't say how long it would take. We were in a nursing treatment room for a chaperone and he left quite quickly because he was running late with his list and all I was told is I would get a letter through with an appointment.

Anyone have any idea how long I could be waiting? He now thinks it could be a cyst but without a mammogram we won't know.

Obviously I'm worrying its the worst and don't really want the uncertainty hanging over me for the Xmas period and neither does hubby.

With his work bonus we could afford a private screening test but I don't know if I could be seen sooner than I can get that arranged.

I've tried searching to see if I'll be on the 2 week pathway or if that even applies in Scotland.

If anyone had any advise of this in Aberdeenshire I would be so appreciative. I'm quietly trying not to freak out or over react but what is the correct reaction in this situation?

Can't advise regarding the two week referal process in Scotland beyond it being not mandatory. Best information I can find is here

www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-referral-guidelines-suspected-cancer-january-2019/

If I were you I would ring the surgery and ask what referal process you have been sent under and cross reference with the above, and then ring the hospital for a rough idea of booking times. I would also enquire about getting an early mammogram done privately - it might be no earlier but won't hurt to ask.

If your GP was very concerned they wouldn't have asked you to wait several weeks to see if their first line of treatment was beneficial.

Easier said than done but try not to freak out until you have an answer. I've been there more than once and it doesn't help

Gentle hugs

@Minxmumma thank you for your reply. I just had a read of the link you posted and I fall under the urgent category. It says over 30s with nodularity that persists after 2-3 week review or something like that. He said nodule a few times and assume nodule is another word for lump.

65 days from referral to treatment is what's recommended but whether that's to the mammogram or actual treatment isn't clear.

Thank you for helping and the hug. It's really appreciated.

If you fall under the urgent header I would expect you to be seen quickly. A phone call to the referal location and see what they say is the next best step.
They'll understand your worry so shoumd be able to help

Actually I read a bit further and I'm between categories. Urgent is for 35 and over. I'm not 35 till January so I don't know if I'll be put under routine or urgent then.

All I know is my head hurts. I'll ring them in Friday I think. He won't have done the referral yet today so pointless calling then now.

I’m in Aberdeenshire. I saw my GP on a Thurs, I got my hospital letter on the Tues for a Fri appt so 8 days later. ARI do everything in one go. I was there for 4 hours, had mammogram, physical check, ultrasound and biopsy. They will be able to tell if cyst (fluid) or lump. If at all unsure, they will biopsy.

Thanks @Smallandfriendly hopefully I won't have to wait too long and will get this out the way before Xmas.

Hubby can deal with the car park so I don't get the rage lol. As long as we aren't leaving around 2 it should be fine and we won't be stuck for hours.

I called but the doctor hasn't done the referral letter yet so they can't tell me if it's urgent or routine.

If anyone wanted an update I had my app last week.

It's not a lump but it's a mass of glads caused by hormones. So it is a lump but the dr claims there is no lump yet I can feel a lump. It will apparently go when I have a period but seeing as I haven't had one since September I'm not holding out much hope of it going anytime soon and it will keep getting bigger until then.

Dr really pissed me off when he kept telling me "there is no lump" when a mass of glands forming a nodule is still a bloody lump. He made me feel like a child who didn't do her homework and couldn't understand the questions in class.

I'm now trying to get an app with the gp to discuss next steps as a nurse and the dr who carried out the ultrasound (an actually nice dr) told me it was most likely due to the mirena coil.