lump in breast - app on Friday

[Sophieweston]

Hello ladies,

I found a small lump in my left breast a few weeks ago. Had a drs app last week, and he quickly referred me to the breast clinic and I have an appointment this Friday.

The letter/ dr said that they will likely conduct an ultrasound, mammogram and if in the event they think it's a cyst, they will drain there and then.

I have quite a lot of anxiety around needles/ hospitals and procedures so feeling quite nervous. Just wondering if anyone can share their stories of attending a first breast clinic and what to expect? I'm particularly unsure on whether a mammogram would show whether it's a cyst or something more sinister - how does the Dr know whether to try and drain it or not?!

For background, I'm 29 years old and have no history of breast cancer in my family but really glad that the hospital has moved fast just in case!

Thanks in advance,

You’ll take all your top clothes off and put a gown on. You’ll be examined first I expect, then sent for a mammogram and or ultrasound.
Ask for local anaesthetic if you need a biopsy or drainage, but you won’t necessarily have those done

In my experience they do everything in the one day so can take up to a couple of hours. They will do an examination, ultrasound and mammogram, although I don't think they always do a mammogram for someone your age due to tissue density. They might do a needle biopsy to take some fluid from around the lump and if it is a cyst will then drain it. If they need to do a core biopsy that will be done along with an ultrasound to guide them. The area will be numbed, it's not painful. The tool they use to do the biopsy I can only describe as sounding like a staple gun going off, you don't feel anything. I found all the doctors and nurses so kind and caring throughout the whole appointment. Good luck, try not to worry too much.

Take a good book as, if it's a one stop clinic, you're likely to be there for some time. Ditto for food and drink. Don't rely on your phone for entertainment unless you can download stuff beforehand - the clinic I went to only had 3G signal.

It's more likely to be an ultrasound than a mammogram so take wet wipes as the gel is a nightmare to take off if you only have access to the standard blue paper towel.

You'll be taking your bra on and off a lot so I found it easier to wear a front fastening sports bra as it meant I could keep one boob covered and that (weirdly) felt a little more dignified (although I became such a regular at the clinic that I thought nothing of getting my boobs out by the final appointment 😂)

If you have a drain or a biopsy, place your hand (on the same side as the affected boob) palm down on the top of your head during it. It's much much harder to tense up in this position and a relaxed body is much easier to put a needle into.

I still remember the two weeks of abject terror before my first appointment and nothing anyone can say stops that but please be assured that every staff member I interacted with was nothing short of incredible. If you're going to the Bucks clinic, you are in very safe hands.

Look after yourself over the next few days and don't beat yourself up over feeling scared/nervous/anxious

Hello OP,

I'm just back from the GP (same: small lump, left breast) who is making the breast clinic referral.

Just looking to share the worry with someone!

How are you?

Hi @SpiderVsBee
Sorry to hear you're going through the same thing!
My appointment is this afternoon but reading the replies above, I feel a bit better about it today and trying to keep busy this afternoon.
I'll check back in over the weekend to let you know how it was/ what they did. Hope you get your referral soon! xx

Hi @Sophieweston,

I hope your appointment is going uneventfully. I've just had the call with my appointment - week on Wednesday. So a good while to wait yet.

Hi @Sophieweston, how did you get on?

Hi @SpiderVsBee sorry for the delay in replying.
Luckily, lump turned out to be a cyst - they drained it there and then which was fine with no pain at all and had no after issues.
The appointment itself was fine, although very long and I can't say the first consultant I saw had a great bed-side manner. But apart from that, everyone else was absolutely lovely.
In terms of what was done - it was just as the previous commenter had said - I waited for a while and saw the consultant first who examined the breast, and then another wait until I went for an ultrasound. Didn't require a mammogram so can't comment on that.

Do you have an appointment yet? Sending you positive vibes x

Hi @Sophieweston thanks for coming back. I'm glad yours was just a cyst!

My appointment is on Wednesday afternoon and the closer it gets the more I lose my grip! I've got all the "what if's" going on now.

Hey, how did it go? Hope everything went ok. I have an appointment Saturday.