Cancer Research UK main site

Waiting on referral

KiraEl
Offline

Hi all, nice to meet you.

So, I found a few lumps in both breasts on Monday (I only checked them because I'd been catching up on SU2C Bake Off!). My GP gave me a referral but doesn't think I ought to worry, since I'm only 29 ... 

But, like many people, I've been put into a tailspin by Dr. Google. Even with the hopeful statistic that 8 out of 10 are benign, there are so many stories of people my age being given the bad news that it's hard to feel reassured. 

Next steps are to chase up my referral, and to try not to let this whole mess ruin a three week holiday abroad in mid-April!

  • Offline

    Hi KiraEl,

    Finding lumps in your breast can be a terrifying time, especially when Dr Google is involved! I did exactly the same when I first felt lumps in my breasts. While there are women in their 20s that have been diagnosed with breast cancer and it seems like a lot, it really is a tiny percentage as it’s such a rare occurrence. 

    It may also reassure you to know that having been through the referral process and an appointment at the breast clinic, all my lumps were diagnosed as fibroadenomas - even after an excisional biopsy on 3 large ones I had.

    This process is a horrible rollercoaster of emotions so don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have about the breast clinic or benign lumps etc x

  • Offline in reply to nashmc95

    Hi, thank you so much for your response. It is pretty reassuring to hear from somebody who came out of this with a good result! (Though I don't think I dare get my hopes up, just in case.)

    Can I ask you how long it took from first referral to getting your results? I haven't been given my appointment yet and I'm going away on April 11th, so I'm even more anxious about the timing than I otherwise would be.

  • Offline in reply to KiraEl

    So from first GP appointment to getting my appointment, it was about a week and a further week from that till my actual appointment (so 2 weeks in total from GP to breast clinic). Then I got the news I had fibroadenomas on the day of the breast clinic as it was clear from the ultrasound and the results from my surgery took about 10 days. 

    Generally it’s quite a speedy process in England, thank god! I would imagine you’d have at least had your appointment at the breast clinic before you go away

  • Offline

    I phoned them and confirmed the date and time of my appointment - April 3rd. I have a feeling I'm going to be an anxious wreck until then!

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.