Hi Suzy,

Welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear about yur symptoms. You should be seen within 2 weeks if your GP sent an urgent referral. Try not to worry, as lymph nodes can swell up as a result of any sort of infection.

The breast clinic will run tests to determine the cause and, I sincerely hope that nothing untoward is found. Do please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi I had very similar recently and was told it was an inflammed tendon.

Had examinations , mammograms and ultrasounds and all was fine xx 

Hi Jolamine, thanks for your reply, I did not know if my appointment might be longer due to the coronavirus situation. It is nice and comforting to know  everyone here is so supportive, I am worried and it's hard that my family cannot be with me, I have never felt so alone as I do now, but your reply has made a difference, thankyou I will keep you posted :happy:

Hi Clastegra,  thanks for your reply, I never thought of that although I cannot think how it could have become inflamed, did you have pain? I had no pain although it did ache for awhile after the doctor felt around, its good that you had all those tests and all was fine, hears hoping I will be the same. I have had cancer scares before when I was much younger but waiting for appointments and consultants to examine me is still as worrying today as it was for me years ago! I am trying to be calm though but its soooooo hard! 

Hi Suzy,

Some people have experienced a slight delay in getting their appointments due to the pandemic, but the majority are still getting their apointments within the usual 2 week time frame. You will find this site very supportive, as we have all had first hand experience of cancer.

This is always a scary time, as there are so many unknowns. It is especially difficult to cope when your family don't know anything about your symptoms. It is good news that your GP didn't find anything untoward with your breasts. Let's hope tha you get the same result at the breast clinic.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

I have got my appointment this coming monday the 8th june. My son in law is going to drive me there, I just cannot face being on my own, I probably sound a right wimp and that's probably because I am! The swelling is still there but since seeing the doctor who really poked and prodded the area, it has been aching on and off..maybe it feels worse because I am aware of it being there now. I am really nervous but trying to keep it together. I do suffer health anxiety but it's been many years since I have experienced it again. I will let you know how I get on. Not sure if i will have any results on monday i suppose it depends on what they find. I am hoping they will at least have some idea as to whether its cancer or not! 

Hi Suzy,

I'm glad to hear that your appointment has come through and, that your son-in-law will be driving you there. Don't worry about the aching which you are experiencing. Most of us are tender for a while after any examination or biopsy, but it does settle down.

 This is a scary time and I'm not surprised that your health anxiety is building. Believe it or not, you will feel more at ease when you know what it is. Whether the outcome is good or bad, it feels better to have a goal and to start aiming for it.

You will find the clinic staff all very sympathetic and helpful. Sometimes the consultant you see can be pretty sure whether or not there is any cancer present, just by examining you. What they are most likely to do is to chat to you about your symptoms, to carry out a physical examination. They then usually send you for a mammogram, an ultasound and a biopsy. It usually takes 1-2 weeks to get the results of these tests back. It is only by these results that you can be categorically diagnosed.

Sometimes, these scans are not enough evidence and further tests are needed. I had to have a CT and an MRI scan. This delayed things for a few weeks. Before you get the test results, your consultant will have discussed them at his/her weekly MDT (Multidisciplinary team) meeting. This is where all the people who will be involved in your care discuss the best way forward for you. When you return, you will then be told (if appropriate), your type and grade of cancer and what treatment, if any, is planned for you. I have had two bouts of breast cancer in the past 11years and, I am still living a fulfilling life, so please don't give up hope. Cancer treatment has come a long way in the past few years.

I am hoping and praying that all goes well for you on Monday.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks for your kind words and info. I just assumed I would know whether it was cancer or not on the day because a year ago I was referred to breast clinic at the hospital because I had an aching left breast and it  was very tender and felt lumpy...on the  day I was examined and had a mammogram. I was told that everything was fine, mammogram was clear and I had no need to worry. It's ironic really that 5 months ago i had a routine mammogram which came back normal. I hope I do not have to wait, that will be so hard for me xx

Actually thinking about it because the swelling is under my arm, maybe imaging alone will not be enough and they might need to do a biopsy on that.  I was thinking that a mammogram and ultrasound would be enough, to be honest at the moment I am all over the place, I live alone and no one can come here to comfort me or even have a hug! X

Hi Suzy,

Imaging should still be able to catch all that is needed under your arm. They usually do a biopsy to get the information on the type and grade of cancer one has. These tests can also indicate whether the lymph nodes are affected and if the disease has spread.

It is particularly difficult to cope with this during the pandemic, but this looks as if it may soon be lifted. Do your daughters all live close to you? Here's hoping that it won't be long until you get that hug! They were certainly talking about getting all cancer treatments back on track in today's Covid !9 guidance.

We are always here for you whenever you want to chat. I'm afraid that I cannot give you a hug in the flesh, but I am sending you a virtual hug.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx