Am I right to be concerned about breast changes

[OchreReader]

I hope I don’t offend anyone with the photo. I’ve been referred to the breast clinic due to redness and firmness with pain in my left breast. Doctor doesn’t think it’s mastitis as I’m not showing any other signs of having an infection. She gave antibiotics anyway, but they didn’t help. My areola now looks like it’s enlarged and bruised, and the nipple is flat. The redness comes and goes, but there’s always a faint pinkness. I haven’t injured my breast. It’s noticeably larger than my right breast. I’ve been told the clinic waiting time is 6 to 8 weeks. Has anyone experienced this before? Thank you

Are you breastfeeding? Photo hasn't loaded yet

No, sorry, I should have said my age. I’m 53 and it’s been a good few years since I’ve breastfed

In that case I do think inflammatory breast cancer needs to be on yours and the doctor's radar, which means you should be on the two week cancer pathway. Not to panic, but to ensure if it is something serious it's dealt with promptly. I'd go back to them and say you need the referral upgrading. Best of luck x

Thank you, that’s what I’m worried about. It came on so quickly. My photo is waiting approval I think

Do go back then and raise that you are worried about Inflammatory Breast cancer and ask for an urgent referral. The antibiotics haven't worked and there are nipple changes. I'm not a medic but have been to the breast clinic twice - do get it checked out.

I'm 54 by the way OchreReader. At this age there are lots of checks for stuff - just got my FIT test for bowel back today (I'm in Scotland) but smear is due January etc. I need a ruddy health PA 😁

According to my doctor this is an urgent referral, the clinic is just so backed up. I’m in Scotland too (Ayrshire) and it seems to be bad. I’m on the short notice cancellation list now, so hopefully it will be quicker. Yes I know what you mean, they hit you with all tests once you hit 50!

Yes but they do triage it once they get the referral from the doctor. If the clinic receives an update to say antibiotics haven't worked and there are nipple changes and continued redness, it might move up the list.

Frankly OchreReader - I'm appalled you have a 6-8 week wait. I'm in Aberdeen and sometimes it's 3-4 weeks for a breast clinic visit.

Do get back in touch with clinic/gp to let them know the changes.

I hope your appointment comes through soon 💐

6 to 8 weeks seems such a long time when you are worried.
Is a private appt an option?
My DH needed an urgent urology appt. Was advised it would be weeks. We paid for the initial appt. Was £200 but was seen in 3 days.

My husband suggested going private as well, and I think I’m going to look into it.

I would look into private as suggested, but also get back onto the GP with the update. They can absolutely push the referral. I had an urgent referral for an endoscopy but when the GP pushed it the wait went from 9-12 months to ten days...

To be honest I'd get in touch with an MSP as well - there's been stuff in the paper about waiting times in Ayrshire.

Private second opinion asap. Will be worth every penny.

Thank you to everyone who responded to me. I am looking to book a private consultation to put my mind at rest. My photo still doesn’t seem to be appearing. First post, so I’ve maybe not done it correctly

At the breast clinic they will do mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy if required all in the same appointment. If you pay for a private consultation, will they be able to do any of those things? (i.e. what will your money actually achieve to advance your care?)

Lots of private clinics do the one stop shop covering everything.

They have the facilities to do these tests on the day if the consultant believes they are necessary. They are an extra cost on top of the consultation fee.

I know it’s been a couple of months, but I thought I’d give a wee update for those who were kind enough to give me help and advice. It has transpired that I do indeed have inflammatory breast cancer, triple negative. It has spread as far as my supraclavicular nodes, but thankfully not to any other organs. I’ve got a heavy schedule of chemotherapy and immunotherapy underway, and for this I am very grateful. Thank you again to everyone who replied