2ww Breast Clinic

[boringbetty]

Has anyone been to one of these? I've never even heard of them but been referred yesterday . What happens there ? I can't stop worrying and crying and thinking of the worse

Hi OP. I have no experience of this as I’ve never been to one but I can hopefully provide a bit of reassurance!
GPs follow NHS and NICE guidelines to inform their practice and for lumps that don’t disappear, you have to be referred by the GP because it’s best clinical practice to do so. It’s not because the GP necessarily thinks you have cancer. It’s because the GP has to refer you if you meet certain criteria I.e breast lump that doesn’t disappear after x amount of time.
90% of people referred under a tww do NOT have cancer so statistically it’s still unlikely that you do even though when you get the referral, as a patient, you naturally assume the worst!
Try not to worry

Where I live ALL breast referrals go down the 2ww pathway, even benign conditions. Did the GP explain why you were being referred?

As for what they’ll do there, they’ll have a chat with you about your medical history, family history etc and do an ultrasound or mammogram. If they’re still uncertain, they’ll do a fine needle biopsy

Yeah they explained why it's because of my family history, basically every woman on my dads side of the family has had breast cancer and the BRCA gene is also on that side of the family. The thing is I don't have any lumps just had a change in my nipple and some discharge. I know it said on my letter 90% are fine it's always just in the back of your mind what if . I'm only 28 too so I know the chances are low but with the was the family history is I'm not feel too positive . Appointment is on the 30th just wish it wasn't at this time of year

Thank you by the way

Very sensible of your GP to not take any chances with your family history. I haven't been to breast clinic before but a friend of mine did. She was examined by the doctor, sent for a scan and seen again with the results all in the one appointment (she was fine btw)

It's rubbish timing, but better to get these things checked out. Hope it goes well.

I did, earlier this month.

It was a very easy experience and I was discharged a couple of hours later, all fine.
I knew it was unlikely to be anything sinister (because of the stats) but I still totally catastrophised. I don't know how you stop yourself doing it but do keep reminding yourself it is v likely to be ok.

Could you afford to go private? Totally unnecessary because the NHS tend to be fab with this stuff but you should be able to be seen sooner if that's important to you & you can spare the £.

Been twice myself. It’s standard procedure when there is even the slightest potential of cancer. My first lump was a fiboradenoma and my second a cyst. Both benign.

I was seen by a surgeon who examined me and took a detailed history, and then had ultrasound done to view the lump. I had a biopsy done on the first to make sure it was benign and the second was clearly a cyst as filled with fluid and that was that.

They’re excellent at their jobs and very kind and reassuring. Try not to worry but I know it’s easier said than done x

Forgot to update ... I went on Monday nothing suspicious found so that's good they do want me to do genetic testing tho. Happy new year everyone