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Women's health

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Original poster

Referral to breast clinic

16 replies

Carty76 · 13/12/2021 15:06

I don’t really know why I’m posting this! I found a lump on my breast on Friday night - it’s absolutely tiny but a lump nonetheless. Not long back from being examined by my GP who have a thorough check and said that as it moves he was certain it’s a sebaceous cyst and could even see almost a head on it (although he didn’t refer to it as a head - my mind had gone at this point!). Told me to keep an eye on it but had no concerns at all. Went home and felt immensely relieved only to then receive a call from my GP who said that he had spoken with his colleague who specialises in breast issues and they have recommended I be referred to the breast clinic to be absolutely certain. I feel sick with anxiety 😟

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fedup078 · 13/12/2021 15:23

I think when it comes to breast lumps they are so so careful not to get it wrong that most are referred
My doctor was convinced mine was a fatty lump but still referred me just in case and she was right it was nothing

Original poster

Carty76 · 13/12/2021 15:24

So glad it was nothing! It’s such a worry isn’t it

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Froppysue · 13/12/2021 15:27

I could have written this. I went to the gp with a lump last week and I have an appointment at the breast clinic on Wednesday this week.

They have a certain criteria they have to follow with breast lumps, I think any lump over the age of 30 (or 35 I can’t quite remember) has to be referred to the breast clinic.

I can completely understand your worry and concern though. It most likely is a cyst, but no harm in a full follow up to make sure.

Original poster

Carty76 · 13/12/2021 15:30

Fingers crossed for you!! It’s hard when you know they are doing the right thing but your mind just runs away with you doesn’t it!!

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whywouldntyou · 13/12/2021 15:32

Don't know where you are in the country but our trust is so bad by the time I get my scan it will be almost 3 months on the 'two week pathway' - so be warned!

Froppysue · 13/12/2021 15:32

Absolutely, and fingers crossed for you too.
I found looking at the referral guidelines helped calm me down a bit, but it’s so easy to think the worst so I’ve stayed away from google!
Apparently the breast clinic is a one stop shop so to speak, so everything is done on the day. If you like I’ll let you know how I get on on Wednesday so you know what to expect?

Original poster

Carty76 · 13/12/2021 15:46

@Froppysue

Absolutely, and fingers crossed for you too. I found looking at the referral guidelines helped calm me down a bit, but it’s so easy to think the worst so I’ve stayed away from google! Apparently the breast clinic is a one stop shop so to speak, so everything is done on the day. If you like I’ll let you know how I get on on Wednesday so you know what to expect?

That would be so helpful!! Thank you!

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Original poster

Carty76 · 13/12/2021 15:48

That’s just awful 😞 really hope you get an appointment soon. I’m in Lancashire…

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whywouldntyou · 13/12/2021 16:44

@Froppysue

Absolutely, and fingers crossed for you too. I found looking at the referral guidelines helped calm me down a bit, but it’s so easy to think the worst so I’ve stayed away from google! Apparently the breast clinic is a one stop shop so to speak, so everything is done on the day. If you like I’ll let you know how I get on on Wednesday so you know what to expect?

This is what I was told, however when I left the clinic for my ultrasound I was told there was no doctor in that day to do them. 😳 so all the patients in that day are now waiting for their scans. Unbelievable.

Froppysue · 13/12/2021 18:37

@whywouldntyou that’s terrible, what a worry having to wait.
My letter says I’ll get a scan and if it’s anything worrying they’ll do a biopsy the same day. It did say I was too young for a mammogram so wouldn’t be getting that.
Hopefully it all goes ok on weds and there’s actually a doctor there!

TripleSeptic · 18/12/2021 20:42

@Carty76, did you get your appointment yet? I felt a lump the same day as you, worried all over the weekend, phoned Dr, saw Dr on Monday, she did a red flag referral to the hospital, and expected me to be seen within 2 weeks, covid and Christmas permitting. I'm in Northern Ireland, and the hospital rang yesterday, I have an appointment for Friday 14th January. 5 weeks from lump day and 4 weeks from the phonecall yesterday.

Cotswoldmama · 18/12/2021 21:25

I had this about 6 months ago. My GP said she was sure it was fine and would be happy leaving it and just monitoring it bit if I wanted to have peace of mind she would refer me. I got referred as I knew I'd worry. By the time my appointment came it had shrunk! I went anyway to be reassured. I had had something similar 6 months before but it was a quite big painful lump but that disappeared after my period so it was decided that was a cyst. I was examined and this doctor said she was sure it was nothing too and I didn't need any scans or biopsies. That was enough for me to feel reassured and she didn't make me feel silly for going either. She thought it was a cyst as it changed in size. I still have a very small lump in the same place but it hasn't changed. They were both in the same spot so it's thought that it could be a cyst refilling and at the moment it's just quite flat! They will do everything in one day and give you the results the same day.

Original poster

Carty76 · 21/12/2021 09:52

[quote TripleSeptic]@Carty76, did you get your appointment yet? I felt a lump the same day as you, worried all over the weekend, phoned Dr, saw Dr on Monday, she did a red flag referral to the hospital, and expected me to be seen within 2 weeks, covid and Christmas permitting. I'm in Northern Ireland, and the hospital rang yesterday, I have an appointment for Friday 14th January. 5 weeks from lump day and 4 weeks from the phonecall yesterday.[/quote]
Hi - sorry for not replying sooner! Really sorry that you too have found a lump. We ended up going private as just couldn’t wait for an appointment as just had no idea how long it could potentially take to come through. Fortunately it’s a cyst. Really hope you get an appointment soon. It’s such a worrying thing to go through 😞

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Froppysue · 21/12/2021 17:35

@Carty76 I’m so glad you’ve been seen and it’s just a cyst, must be a relief. Sorry you had to go private though.
I didn’t want to post as I wasn’t wanting to worry you before you were seen.
I wasn’t as lucky, had to get scans and mammograms and finally core biopsies as mine was a ‘suspicious hard mass’. Tough waiting for the results through Christmas time but keeping everything crossed.

Cratos · 25/01/2022 18:21

Hi I wondered if I could ask you something please. Sorry that you had to go through this. My question is about your mammogram. Did they do it on both sides? Or just the symptomatic breast ?

Original poster

Carty76 · 25/01/2022 18:54

@Cratos

Hi I wondered if I could ask you something please. Sorry that you had to go through this. My question is about your mammogram. Did they do it on both sides? Or just the symptomatic breast ?

Hi, they did both breasts. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions.

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