Referral urgent

Hello If your symptoms get worse can a gp make the urgent refferal immediate or very urgent? I'm worried about imflamtory breast cancer.  I'm still waiting for this urgent refferal.  Please help as my anxiety is horrendous.  If yes what do I need to do 

  • Hello Bear3 and thanks for your post,

    I am sorry to hear about how anxious this is all making you feel.

    I am not sure when the referral for the breast clinic was made but hopefully you will hear something soon.

    If you have noticed further changes you could try and speak to your GP though  they may not be able to influence how quickly you will be seen.

    Inflammatory breast cancer is rare so try if you can not to over think it for now.

    Overcoming anxiety can be hard on your own. The NHS have some tips on managing anxiety which you might find helpful.

    Try if you can to keep yourself busy and your mind on other things whilst you wait for your appointment.

    if you would like to ring and speak to one of the helpline nurses then you are welcome to give us a call. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    All the best,

    Catherine

  • My anxiety is horrendous struggling breast clinic Friday.  I can't eat, sleep or do anything.   I can't look at my 2 children without crying.  I had a clear mammogram 6 months ago trying to hold on to that.  So scared can't stop touching the lump.  Gp thinks breast cyst and referring because of family history.  He said all lumps are reffered on the 2 week pathway.  

  • HI Bear,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear that you are in such a state, while waiting for your first appointment at the breast clinic. It may not be of any consolation, but most of us feel like this throughout this wait. Don't worry about the tears. They are a good way to reduce the stress. 

    I hope that your GP is correct and that this is a simple cyst. The only way to be sure is to have the necessary tests to find this out. Hold on to the thought that 80% of people, who attend the clinic, do not have cancer. Many have benign cysts or fibroadenoma. 

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx (Survivor of 2 bouts of BC over past 14 years)

  • Hello bear3 and thanks for posting

    I am sorry to hear you are feeling so anxious about this lump.

    There are many reasons for breast lumps to appear and most of the time they aren't cancer but as your doctor has said the majority of breast lumps will be checked out at a breast clinic.

    It is reassuring that the mammogram you had 6 months was clear so try and hold onto that as a positive for now.

    Do try look after yourself whilst you are waiting. Keep yourself busy with other things and try and avoid touching the lump if you can, as this will only make you worry more.

    I hope everything goes well at your appointment and that you will be okay.

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  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

    Naomi

  • Hello thank you for replying.  I tried to talk to friends and family but they don't understand my worries.  Just terrified of the what if

  • Hi Bear,

    The initial waiting to be seen and then waiting again for test results, is one of the hardest times of our cancer journey. Try to avoid consulting "Dr Google". Much of the information there is poorly researched, out of date and only serves to scare us further. 

    Unfortunately, it is hard for others to understand how terrifying this wait is, unless they have experienced it first hand. Try to hold on to the fact that your last mammogram was clear and that your GP suspects that this is a cyst. Fortunately, there's not long to wait now, until your appointment on Friday.

    I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Will all lumps be biopsed including fibroadenoma 

  • My refferal is for breast lump but could I talk to them about other symptoms like breast pain? Also can I request another mammogram eventhough I had one 6 months ago.  GP said it be a ultrasound.  I'm rock bottom with my anxiety tonight sadly 

  • Do you think they will ultrasound the whole breast or just the lump location.  Don't know why I feel I need to know every detail! 

  • Hi Bear,

    The best thing to do, is to write down any questions you have and take this with you to your consultation. It is all too easy to forget something important if you are relying on memory alone at this time. It is unusual to have pain associated with breast cancer, but, by all means, talk to them about everything that is worrying you.

    What tests you'll get depends upon what the consultant finds on examination. The three most usual tests are mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy, but some people don't need all of these, while others may need more. It is again up to the consultant to request what parts of the breast s/he wants to see on ultrasound. If you're worried, ask the consultant about ultrasound to the whole breast.

    Some of us like to know every detail, while others don't want to know anything. I'm like you and I found it helpful to know what was happening as I journeyed along.


    I'm sorry to hear that your anxiety is playing up tonight.  Remember that your consultant and care team are very experienced in the field of cancer and they are there specifically to help you. Put your faith in them and you'll be fine.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx