Confused after my breast clinic appointment

Hi everyone,

I found a lump in my breast over the weekend and i went to to doctor. She felt it and said it feels like a cyst but she will refer me to the clinic. She said take a book or something you can be waiting around a long time between things. 

(Just to mention my breast and underarm were/are sore. I think the lump did go down a bit and i had some discharge from that nipple.)

Anyway this morning was my appointment, felt it and said it felt like a cyst. She used an ultrasound machine and looked and it and then said dense breast tissue but then after still said cysts. She has also said I will be referred to a radiographer for another scan to check. Why would this be? I kind of thought it would all be today but i didn't even get a mammogram.. is that normal? Is that what the radiographer is for?

There was also another small pea sized lump in the breast which she said was normal breast tissue but she didn't touch it and the ultrasound machine didn't go over that bit either... 

I'm feeling confused and not as reassured as i was hoping... anyone with similar experiences?

  • Hi Tasha

    Your experience is normal, ultrasound is used for those with dense breasts (are you young?). The breast cancer teams are experts, they know what a cancerous lump looks and feels like, the ultrasound will also see whether the lump has a blood supply, if not, then won't be cancerous.

    I can see why you would be unassured by your experience but I think that's more to do with lack of communication from the clinician. 

    It's good news. Hope you have a good Christmas x

  • Hi, thank-you for your reply.

    Yes I am 34.

    Why would i need a second ultrasound then if she could see that on the ultrasound at the time? or a second scan.. i'm not sure what kind.

    Thanks - i have calmed down a bit now and am trying not to think about it so much over christmas. 

    You too x

  • Hi Tasha,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear how you fee, following your appointment at the breast clinic.  Younger people tend to have denser breasts, which do not show up well on a mammogram, so this is not always carried out with someone under the age of 40, or thereabouts. As Magpiemaggie, has said, ultrasound is used for younger people, who have dense breasts. If they require further clarification, a CT or MRI can also be carried out by the radiologist.. These scans give a clearer image of the breast and will check the entire breast. Did the consultant say how long you might have to wait before you get your scan? There can sometimes be a wait for these tests. It is good that your consultant is being really thorough, although it sounds as if she could do with a lesson in communication, to have saved you this worry.

    It is also reassuring that she thought that you have a cyst on both examination and on ultrasound. Not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts, fibroadenoma or due to hormonal changes. It is a fact that only 20% of women who are referred to the breast clinic, will get a cancer diagnosis, so the odds are still in your favour.

    I hope that your scan comes through soon and that this turns out to be a cyst. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    In the meantime, have a  very Happy Christmas.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi, Thank-you very much for your response, i feel much better. She said that i should get my appointment through in the next 2 weeks. I haven't had anything of course what with Christmas and i'm not sure from there when the appointment will be. Hopefully I will hear soon.

    Thanks again for your reply and explanation! 

  • Hi Tasha,

    I hope that this has made things a little clearer for you. It really depends upon whereabouts in the country you live, and how busy the local clinics are. I wouldn't expect that you'll have much longer to wait.

    Please keep in touch and let us know when your appointment comes through.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx