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Breast Clinic Referral - Terrified

163 replies

Octopus45 · 14/09/2023 20:37

Hi ladies, I've read a few other threads on here so know I'm not on my own. I'm 48, have been on HRT for just over two years and and at the beginning of the Summer I became aware of a lump in my right breast. Kept forgetting about it, thinking it was nothing, not sure what my boob normally feels like, wondering whether I should go to the GP when they are all overstretched and I'm overstretched and never have any time. Today I made an appointment and got seen tonight at one of our GP hubs. Explained to the male GP, he immediately said he would refer me to the breast clinic. He then said he could examine me if I wanted, I said ok cause I wanted him to reassure me that he was sure it was nothing. He examined me and said he could definitely feel a hard lump and it was a bit concerning, but could be a cyst. I should hear about my appointment within two weeks, maybe three weeks. My head is spinning, I'm panicking, blaming myself for not going to the GP a bit earlier, blaming myself for taking HRT, not doing things right etc, - all pointless I know btw. I lost my Dad just under a year ago (prostate cancer), I cannot confide in my Sister cause she will go crazy with worry, my best mate's Mum is dying of cancer that has spread to her spine. So far only my DH knows, I haven't told our Sons and I wont unless there is something to tell. Life is too busy for this and I'm thinking why me, but I remember when it was my Mum (she died of leukemia when I was 27), she said well the logic is why not me, she was right. Family history, my Auntie had breast cancer in 1997 when she was 52 and on HRT, she had a lumpectomy. She has a lot of health problems these days, cannot burden her with this. Sitting here wondering how I'm going to hold it together until my appointment. I know its the same for everyone, sorry for all you ladies who are going through the same thing.

OP posts:
Roxygirl1516 · 26/09/2023 08:38

Good luck! How are you feeling?

yes please let me know exactly what they do!

Im actually considering a private one so reassure myself depending on cost.

Hellocatshome · 26/09/2023 08:43

Roxygirl1516 · 26/09/2023 08:38

Good luck! How are you feeling?

yes please let me know exactly what they do!

Im actually considering a private one so reassure myself depending on cost.

I think I'm more nervous now DH has decided its important enough to take time off work to come.

I actually can't really feel the lump today but I think that might be just me being silly because I can't imagine it has gone in the space of a week when I have had it for a good few months (I stupidly ignored it for a long time before going to see GP)

Octopus45 · 26/09/2023 08:44

@Hellocatshome Hope your appointment goes ok. Thinking of you.

@Roxygirl1516 glad you got good news. It does sound as if they checked thorough albeit quickly from the second part of the examination you had . Try to relax

OP posts:
Snipples · 26/09/2023 09:01

Good luck @Hellocatshome for today.

@Roxygirl1516 I'm so pleased it was good news today. Try not to overthink as I'm sure the clinic team know exactly what they're looking for. The GP is probably more "thorough" as it's not their main area of expertise whereas the breast clinic team do this day in day out and are the experts.

Plus I imagine when you've been carrying around the worry and dread for a few weeks it must feel difficult to just shake that off. Hope you're ok x

jannier · 26/09/2023 09:14

Ladies I went the whole journey 9 years ago and had 3 needle biopsies since. Waiting is definitely the worst part of all of it.
Often with a needle biopsy a cyst bursts and they know it's a cyst.
The hospital gown goes back to front.
Take someone with you if you can it helps to have a second pair of ears.
Good luck to you all.

Freezingcoldinseptember · 26/09/2023 09:46

My tests are next week. At the same place I had an early mammogram 4 years ago. Early as in a trial where under 50 's were randomly invited.. The nurse was imo unprofessional when she remarked it must be cold outside...
Hope it isn't her...

Callywals · 26/09/2023 11:20

Please can anyone tell me if, after having a mammogram (that you've been invited to due to being over 50), if they find anything that needs checking out and referring to the breast clinic, do they send a letter to refer you or do they phone and, if they send a letter, does it state what reason they are referring you for or is it just an appointment time etc

Lavenderosa · 26/09/2023 11:57

@Callywals I don't know what they do in your area but here you get a letter inviting you to a follow-up screening at the breast clinic in the hospital. No reason given but it does say something like in most cases, there's no problem.

Callywals · 26/09/2023 12:05

@Lavenderosa thank you for the reply. I'm in Chorley, Lancashire so probably same here. Thanks again

Hellocatshome · 26/09/2023 12:18

@Roxygirl1516 so I've had my appointment very much like yours the beast exam was very quick and she didn't seem concerned in the slightest but marked an area to be scanned.

The ultrasound was a quick once over in the general area and they decided it was normal breast tissue with a bit of fat.

It was all very quick and I can see how if you are particularly anxious you might feel it was too quick and not thorough enough but I think a PP was right they have just examined so many boobs in these clinics they can quickly tell if something needs further investigation or not. I'm sure if there was any doubt they would have been more thorough and done more tests.

Lavenderosa · 26/09/2023 12:23

@Callywals I'm so sorry about your son.
Have you been to your GP about the cyst/lump thing?

Callywals · 26/09/2023 12:52

@Lavenderosa thank you. No, I, stupidly, haven't been to the GP about my lump. I know I should have but with everything with my son I've neglected myself. I've let myself go, put on weight through comfort eating, hardly left the house etc. I'm doing all I can to force myself to go on Friday. I think I'm probably the fattest person they'll have seen but trying to tell myself they'll have seen all sorts. I'm also menopausal and sweat a lot when nervous. I'm absolutely dreading it but reading how brave all the posters on here are is giving me encouragement and making me realise what a coward I am. I have another son who is terrified that something will happen to me too so I have to face up to this for him. Thank you for your kind words.

Snipples · 26/09/2023 12:56

So glad to hear all was well @Hellocatshome

@Callywals please cut yourself some slack. You've had sooo much going on. No one will bat an eyelid at the GPs. It's all over very quickly but yes it's quite cringe sitting there while they do it. You can absolutely do this.

Callywals · 26/09/2023 13:06

@Snipples thank you for the words of encouragement, it means a lot.

Lavenderosa · 26/09/2023 13:25

@Callywals Oh my dear, what a terrible time you've been going through! You won't be the fattest or most sweaty person they've seen. Loads of women are menopausal, overweight and scared witless about mammograms and GP visits. I don't think anyone could have been more of a coward than I was. I was literally shaking and panic stricken at my follow-up visit. I could barely speak. Imagine I'm going with you, sitting beside you and so are all the women in this thread. We're all there with you and will continue to be by your side whatever the outcome. Have a hug.

Hellocatshome · 26/09/2023 13:28

@callywals you have had such a difficult time recently I think you did brilliantly just to phone up and make the appointment. Now you just need to make sure you go. The worrying about the appointment wether it be with the GP or the breast clinic is 100% worse than the actual appointment. You can do it and we will all be virtually holding your hand.

Callywals · 26/09/2023 13:44

@Lavenderosa and @Hellocatshome thank you both so much for those very kind words. I'm sat here with tears in my eyes reading what you've written. Everyone's bravery on this thread has given me the strength and courage to go on Friday and I know my son who passed aged 13, would want me to get myself checked out. I truly feel as if I'm not alone in this so thank you all x

Roxygirl1516 · 26/09/2023 16:45

@Hellocatshome

thats great news what they said! I bet you’re relieved!

did they examine both breasts or just the one with the issue? Did they only ultrasound the area crossed? Or whine breast?

Hellocatshome · 26/09/2023 16:48

Roxygirl1516 · 26/09/2023 16:45

@Hellocatshome

thats great news what they said! I bet you’re relieved!

did they examine both breasts or just the one with the issue? Did they only ultrasound the area crossed? Or whine breast?

Yes definitely very relieved.

She did the breast exam on both but only very very quickly on the one without the lump and quickly on the one with. They only did the ultrasound on the area with the cross.

Octopus45 · 26/09/2023 20:05

@Callywals I just wanted to send you a hug. I have nothing to add to the wise advice of the other ladies on this thread. You sound exceptionally brave.

@jannier thanks for the tips. It does help knowing what experience other people have had at the clinic, even though I obviously wish none of you were having the experience if that makes sense.

OP posts:
Callywals · 26/09/2023 20:15

@Octopus45 thank you for your kind words. Believe me, I'm far from brave, but reading everyone's posts on here is giving me the courage to find out what this little lump is.

WhoNeedsToSleepAnyway · 26/09/2023 20:20

Sending strength to everyone. I had my mammogram and ultrasound last week and a biopsy.of the lump which I get the results of either tomorrow in a phone call or on Thurs in a pre booked appointment. I got the impression that a phone call if it's ok, of course if I don't get a phone call I'm going to be panicking like anything. I was doing ok this week, but now it's Tuesday evening I'm getting nervous again. I had a biopsy, which has left me with a delightfully bruised boob...every colour of the rainbow!

Unsure754 · 26/09/2023 20:24

Just to offer some reassurance, I found a lump and was referred.
On the day it was strange as you start with a lot of other women and you go through stages.
First physical exam and history taken.
Then through to scan.
I was given another appointment a week later for biopsy as they were concerned.

Biopsy involves numbing and then a needle inserted to lump, not directly over it but threaded through from side. Not painful.

I was lucky and it turned out not to be serious.

Throughout all the staff were kind and professional.
Even if you are brought back for a biopsy it doesn’t mean you have cancer.

I would suggest taking someone with you. I went alone to the clinic and was quite stoic right to the point, after the scan, that a very motherly nurse put her hand on my knee and said a biopsy was needed.

Would have been a good idea to have someone there, even just to help find the exit which totally evaded me as I wandered around corridors in shock (that turned out to be an over reaction).

Best of luck to you all, I hope your appointments are calm and uneventful.

Snipples · 27/09/2023 16:08

Gosh I just called a private clinic to see how much it would be to be seen privately and was told between 460 and 3500 depending on whether a biopsy was needed. Seems like insane pricing.

So back to waiting and hoping the NHS can see me soon.

GoldenSpangles · 27/09/2023 16:43

I'm not in the UK. I had a wait of a day or two days to be seen after a mammogram picked up something. It was the most awful time and I was so lucky to be seen within two days. I couldn't feel any lumps and apparently I just have thickened tissue in one breast. It wasn't cancer and that was a long time ago now - I have regular mammograms and it's remained like that
For what it's worth, my aunt and her daughter, my cousin, have both had breast cancer. My aunt had successful treatment and died in her 80s with heart problems rather than cancer. My cousin is still being treated. It doesn't mean that you will get it too though of course it is important to be a bit more vigilant if you have some family history