Hi Mzt,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

You have done the right thing by getting your breasts investigated. Most clinics do examine and discuss your symptoms with you on, your first visit. They then proceed with ultrasound and biopsy, if necessary. There is then about a two week wait for the results. If your consultant feels that a CT scan or MRI is needed, you will usually get an appointment through quite quickly. Clinics vary throughout the country. Some now offer a one-stop shop, but others don't have all the facilities to hand, or have an undue pressure on the number of patients needing to be tested, putting more strain on the facilities available.

Not all lumps are cancerous - only about 20% of all patients, who attend the clinic, will get a cancer diagnosis. Even if it does turn out to be cancer, the outcome doesn't have to be doom and gloom any longer. Treatments have come a long way in recent years. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer, within a year of each other. My diagnosis was 15 years ago and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx