Hi Paroca, sorry to hear you are going through this awful time of waiting for results One piece of advice would be, not to go on Google. I did this and it just caused me more anxiety. It's better to get information on sites like this. I joined this forum and also the cancer research one and they have been really helpful. Hopefully your results may come back sooner. I got told two weeks, but they came back within a week. I wish you well moving forward and hope your results turn out to be good  xx

Thank you, Pippin. Reading through the forum posts and responses have also really helped me. It's also a good reminder that treatment has gone a long way and helping appease my fears. :)

It is really helpful being on forums like this. Made an error in my previous post. Meant to say that I was also on the macmillan site as well as this one. Always here for a chat if you need to. Xx

Dear Paroca, I'm so sorry to hear of what you are going through. The waiting for news is definitely the worst part of this whole process. Try to distract yourself and do normal things. This definitely helped me. But I know it's hard.  I will keep everything crossed for you that you get good news. I know it's even more difficult with family history, as my mum had breast cancer too though there was no history in either side of thr family. But my genetic test came back as clear (meaning no known gene fault) despite my own diagnosis. X

Hi Paroca,

A very warm welcome to our forum. Most of us would admit that waiting for results is one of the hardest parts of our cancer journey. Not all lumps are cancerous. Of all the people who attend the breast clinic, only 20% will get a cancer diagnosis. The other 80% will have naturally lumpy breasts, benign cysts or fibrous changes. I am sure that despite trying to put that brave face on, your emotions will be all over the place at the moment - most of us find this. 

I agree with Pippin's advice re avoiding Google. Much of the information is poorly researched, out of date and aimed at the more spectacular cases - this is most unlikely to be you, but it can be very scary if you read it. I had a family history of breast cancer and have now had 2 cases of it within a year. That was all 14 years ago now and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life. I sincerely hope that nothing untoward shows up in your results. Please keep in touch and let us know. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

I'm also worried as I am waiting for a referral after a nipple inversion and all sorts of things go through your mind. I know there is no point in worrying now as I know nothing yet so I'm trying to do normal things.  It's hard though as it plays on your mind and I keep imagining new symptoms which are not even there. 

Hi CleoK,

A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry to hear why you've joined us. Your sensible head is right - no amount of worrying will change the outcome. However, our over imaginative minds then take over and, before we know it, our emotions are all over the place. Many of us report new symptoms at this stage. This tends to be more due to stress than anything else.

You will usually get your appointment through within 2 weeks, from the date of referral. Please see the statistics I cited, in my reply to Paroca above. Try to keep yourself occupied with anything that helps to take your mind off this wait, whether it be work or entertainment. 

I sincerely hope that your appointment comes through soon. Just be aware that, if there is any need for you to have a biopsy, you may need to wait a further 2 or 3 weeks to get the results. Most of us agree that, this is one of the worst parts of our cancer journey, but, unfortunately, it is something that we all have to do.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

I have been reading through all your responses and the forum and have really helped me through this waiting period. Thank you everyone.

No diagnosis yet, they called me back to the breast surgery this week to tell me that my biopsy results weren't back yet, but that the pathologist said "there's something sinister" in the cyst so will be going for an MRI. My partner and I are assuming it is cancer from that, with the bright side that the lymph node biopsy (per initial unofficial comments) was looking clean.

Hopefully the biopsy results will come in time for the next MDT meeting so we can start discussing treatment options.

On a related note that is now adding to my worries, does anyone have experience/tips on how to bring this up at work? I have been taking some time off for the medical appointments and they knew I was going to the doctors but I have been vague about it. I'm in a tricky situation as I am currently on a contract term ending in a few weeks. There's talks of possibly taking me in permanently, but that was started before I first went to my GP. Quite anxious about adding this to the decision making. I want to be honest about it including treatment and expected time off/requesting work from home as needed. What will be the best way to discuss it, and with whom?

HI Paroco,

I am sorry to hear that your results are not back yet, but hope that they will be back in time for the next MDT meeting. It is reassuring that your lymph nodes appear to be clear. Have you got a date for your MRI yet? If not, I hope that it comes through soon.

As someone who has been self-employed nearly all of my working life, I would not presume to give you advice on your work predicament, but I do hope that someone else will come across with some useful advice.

Please keep in touch and let us know when you get your results. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi thank you! And totally understand, my work situation is a bit too specific.

MRI was already done, the appointment was set pretty quickly. I just had my diagnosis appointment today and confirmed it's grade 2 cancer. Estrogen positive and HER2 negative, which per my understanding make it slightly more manageable. I feel better about it than I initially thought, knowing the specifics helped me come to terms with it.

I have my lumpectomy scheduled for the end of 2024, and we will discuss further treatment after the tissue is looked at in the lab.