Lump on breast

[AllTheChaos]

So I know the importance of regular breast checks, but I’ve got to admit I’ve not been doing them of late. I lost so much weight I pretty much no longer have anything to check, anyway! However when I rubbed an itchy spot on my left breast today, just underneath it I noticed a big lump. It’s round, softish, and about half the size of a golf ball. It’s actually showing through the skin when I looked in the mirror. I know I need to get it checked out, but I’m assuming as it wasn’t there a few weeks ago (the last time I remember putting on body lotion, basically!) it must have grown quickly and is therefore likely to be a cyst. Especially as I’m Peri menopausal.
The problem is that there are no doctors appointments available. The receptionist said to call at 8am tomorrow, but that they only ever really have appointments for emergencies these days, which they don’t consider this to be. So I don’t know how I can get it checked out. Does anyone know of any other route, that is free? (I am in the uk but no longer have private health insurance so NHS only). I don’t want to just ignore it, but it’s not an emergency so if I can’t get a doctor’s apportionment I don’t know what else to do! I tried looking up local breast clinics but just got plastic surgery clinics. Help!

Please phone in the morning and tell the receptionist it is an emergency.
You need to get checked out and if needed be put on the 2 week pathway.
If you don't get anywhere ask for the manager.
Our daughter was in your position at the beginning of the week, she was seen
the same day. GP thinks it might be cysts but daughter will need to be checked.
Today she has been given an appointment at the breast unit for Wednesday morning.

I will, @LifeisNOTlikeemmerdalefarm. The receptionist today made me feel stupid for asking, so hopefully I will get to speak to one of their (nicer) colleagues tomorrow.

Please make sure that you call the surgery at 8 am it is definitely an emergency and warrants an appointment. I found a lump in the middle of July got an appointment with my GP the next day after phoning at 8am - I did try to call the day I found it but they didn't have anything available - I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of August. I'm post op now and about to start radio therapy. Thankfully I found it early and dealt with it and it has been caught early so I should 🤞🏻 be fine by Christmas and it won't come back again.
Good luck for tomorrow morning

@AllTheChaos did you get an appointment today.

I did not manage to get a doctors appointment, @LifeisNOTlikeemmerdalefarm, but I managed to get a nurse appointment for early November, and they will decide if it warrants a doctors appointment apparently. It is so frustrating and feels like such a waste of time!
@midnightmumma I'm so glad you were caught early and treatment has been successful, I wish all doctors surgeries took these things as seriously.

That's not good enough though. Twice I have been to the docs with a lump, and both times I was referred to the breast clinic without delay. I would phone Monday, insist on seeing a doctor for a referral. Time to advocate for yourself.

When I rang about a breast lump in the morning I was seen that afternoon by a GP. Although the GP wasn't concerned I left her office on the two week pathway. Why? Because the Doctor said it's protocol.
Your treatment isn't good enough.
Phone Monday morning and demand an appointment, or even better, go in at 8am. Breast referrals take priority.

A nurse put me on the 2 week pathway last time I had a lump.

Please please phone Monday and either demand an appointment or ask to speak to the manager asap.
That is disgusting treatment.

Did you tell the receptionist what it was for iv had this twice both times I was seen that day by a dr as an emergency appointment. I was then put on the 2 week pathway and sorted within days. Scan done and results there and then both turned out to be cysts. If the receptionist is being difficult ask to speak to the practice manager.