Referral to breast clinic

My youngest is 2 and postnatally I had mastitis.

I didn't breastfeed for long due to this, but I've suffered with tenderness on the outside of my left breast, I had them checked a little while ago and the nurse examined and said she couldn't feel anything worrying just breast tissue.

Today I've seen my GP who again had a very deep feel as it was quite painful and said she wasn't concerned, couldn't feel anything that worried her that she could feel glandy breast tissue which can be tender and that it was more glandy on my left than my right breast, she explained when she's feeling she can feel the difference between a worrying lump or normal breast tissue she explained she can make a referral to the breast clinic as a routine which could take months just for peace of mind but she left that choice up to me.

I agreed that would probably put my mind at ease, but since leaving the surgery I'm now driving myself mad at the fact of how tender it was when she was feeling .. she did have a good hard feel and all under my armpit too.

I'm worrying she may of missed something, I've got really bad health anxiety and struggle with reassurance I keep telling myself that as a GP she knows what she's feeling for and anything concerning she wouldn't of given me the choice and would of made an urgent refferal.

Has anyone else suffered with glandy tender breasts?

  • Powderpuff 

    deffo get a referal to the  breast clinic on the two week wait otherwise it can take months 

    these nurses don’t specialise I’m not saying to get worried or scared it’s probably ok but not worth loosing a few hours at the breast clinic to have a proper check ,

    I went to the breast clinic could   not feel any lunps only felt like a heaviness in my left side  but they found a lump ad I had a diagnosis. It was very early stage BC but I find myself lucky for going and finding it 

    I’m sure that all will be ok but get a check we have to be our own doctors these days and push to be seen .

    goid luck love Lara xxx 

  • My GP is only referring me for my peace of mind, her words were that she couldn't feel anything worrying or out of the ordinary and she had a very good deep feel she said all she could feel was glandy breast tissue.

    She asked would a referral where they would possibly do a ultrasound put my mind at ease at 'put it to bed' help and I said yes it probably would.

    She advised me on how to check my breasts properly.

    X

  • Hello PowderPuff and thanks for posting,

    It sounds like your GP made a reassuringly thorough examination. I feel sure she would have made an urgent referral if she had any concerns. Breast pain/tenderness is very common, but by itself isn't usually due to breast cancer.  You can read more about breast pain on the website of another charity, Breast Cancer Now at this link.  

    If you remain worried do talk to your GP again.  There are guidelines about who to refer urgently for a breast clinic appointment, as you haven't been offered an urgent referral my guess is that you don't match the guidelines criteria. 

    Try your best not to worry too much and see how you go.   

    Give us a ring if you want to talk anything over. Our number is 0808 800 4040 and we are around weekdays 9-5. 

    Best wishes,

    Julia 

  • Thank you.

    Yes my GP was lovely and did carry out a thorough examine she could see where she was feeling and I felt it was tender, I do have health anxiety and I think what panicked me was she said she could feel more glandy tissue one side than the other and explained it as she could feel gaps either side of the tissue and that to her isn't worrying.. to me it's all alien though as I haven't been very good at self examining due to not really knowing what's normal and what isn't and then panicking myself.

  • Powderpuff 

    as long as you are happy that they completed a check you should not be worrying , I was told it’s probably mastitis on my referral was mastitis??? So when I went to the breast clinic I was in total shock to have a diagnosis as I thought the heavyness and pain was just this xx 

  • Update:

    So my appointment came through for breast clinic today for next week unfortunately I can't make it so its been rearranged for 2 weeks time which then sent me into a spiral of anxiety as my GP told me that a routine refferal can take up to 10 months and I only saw her 3 weeks ago!

    I'm still so anxious, I've been and had a proper bra fitted to offer more support and have stopped using spray deodorant.

    I've checked my breasts and cannot feel anything they feel fine which SHOULD reassure me but it hasn't, I've got really bad health anxiety the GP started me on anti depressants the last time I saw her and beta blockers which are making no difference.

    I feel sick with worrying even though my rational mind is telling me that my GP didn't feel anything and gave me the choice for the breast clinic and told me if I wished to cancel I could as she was concerned at all.

    I hate going around the vicious circle of anxiety  

  • Powderpuff 

    it’s best to get this checked if you feel something isn’t right , sometimes lumps can’t be felt , my Gp on two occasions didn’t feel any lump but breast clinic picked up a thickening on me , I’m not saying it’s gunna be your case but you won’t settle until it’s checked hopefully all will be good for you x 

  • Hello and thank you for your post,

    Please do not read too much into getting an appointment sooner. It sounds like a very efficient service. Your GP may have told them you are very worried and this could be another reason why they are seeing you soon.

    You may find reading the information Breast Cancer Now has on their website about what happens at the appointment to be helpful to read, you can see it here.

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support and you may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care

    Caroline