Hi WOrried,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am so sorry to hear of your breast worries. Unfortunately, none of us can tell you what your outcome will be when you attend the breast clinic. A referral usually takes just 2 weeks. Like most of us, I suspect that you will find this quite long enough when you are waiting for your appointment. There are so many unknowns at this stage that you are bound to worry. Try to steer clear of the Internet, as this will only increase your fears for no good cause. Much of the information is incorrect, out of date, poorly researched and, aimed at the spectacular cases.

Many mums find that their breasts change when breastfeeding. If you have done this for 5 years, this may be all that is happening.

I am not a doctor, just another cancer pilgrim (2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 11 years). There are a number of less serious diagnoses which could explain your symptoms. If the worst should happen and something untoward is found, it is hopefully at an early stage, as you have seen your GP quickly after you discovered the lump.

There is nothing to worry about at your first appointment. You will see a consultant, who will discuss your symptoms with you. Your breasts will then be examined. If there is any suspicion at all, you may then have an ultrasound and a biopsy. Older ladies also have a mammogram,. But because younger ladies breasts are denser, they don’t always get a clear image, so it’s not always carried out. It normally takes another 1-2 weeks to get the results of these tests. Sometimes, further scans are needed to get a definite diagnosis. When your initial test results come back they will tell you the type of breast cancer and the grade, if present.

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

Only one person in 8 attending the breast clinic will get a positive diagnosis. I sincerely hope that your results are favorable.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks so much for taking the time out and replying to me. The last months have been tough as I have been through some health scares already. I am also under investigation for MS (which is ongoing for a couple 9f years now) and thought I could do with just feeling normal and happy again. 

I will try and hang onto my GP words as she really didnt think it was anything worrisome and yes i have fed 3 kids just on one side which is now looking very tired and sad. 

Just waiting for the app to come asasp. Even phoned the private hospital but can not really afford that. 

Fingers crossed 

Hi WOrried,

I hope that your MS investigation doesn't throw up anything untoward. It must be doubly hard trying to deal with both of these possibilities at once.

You are probably just as well to wait for your NHS appointment. There has been a bit of a hiccup with surgery and treatments throughout the current pandemic, but they are trying to get this back on a more even keel now.

You won't have much longer to wait for your appointment to come through and, if you have any additional problems, they willl be dealt with by the NHS. Many people look at the initial costs of diagnosis/treatment, but they don't make any allowances for additional expenses. Besides, many people find themselves coming back into NHS as treatment costs become unaffordable.

Just remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,
Jolamine xx

Hi, 

With regards to the MS I cant see anything happening there fast unless i develop new symptoms. The hospital has been pretty calm and relaxed which i should take as a positive.

I have been on the phone for the past hour to get an appointment for the breast clinic. I hoped it would be this week as i was told waiting times are not long. The appointment is not until next Tuesday 14.07. I know thats within the 2 weeks but ili really do not know how i will cope . 

Again thanks for responding yesterday

Hi WOrried,

It sounds as if your MS is fairly stable at present, which is good. Has it been diagnosed as such, or are you still being monitored before being diagnosed?

I am sorry to hear that you had such a long wait on the phone today, but glad to hear that you did get an appointment for next Tuesday.

I know that this seems like forever to you at present, but you will get through it, if for no other reason than 'because you have to'. Try to keep yourself busy until then. This doesn't all have to be work related. Do something that you enjoy doing too. This will help the time to pass more quickly.

Can I be curious and ask why you only fed your children on one side? You don't have to answer this if you don't want to.

Here's hoping that your GP is right and that you find there is nothing untoward to worry about.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi, 

No MS has not been diagnosed I have s few random symptoms and some lesions on the brain but not enough to diagnose.

I only fed on one side because of the nipple shape on the other side. I really struggled getting the girls latched and ended up feeding on one side. 

I am a nervous wreck today. 

Hi WOrried,

I have just realised that you asked me how long it took me to get my first referral to the breast clinic.It was exactly two weeks. The outcome was that I had a grade 1 mucinous breast cancer which was HER2-. As my surgeon said, if I had to get cancer, this is one of the best types I could hae had, as it is not very aggressive. I had a lumpectomy and took Tamoxifen.

Six months later I found a lump in my other breast - fortunately, this was benign. Almost a year to the day of my first surgery, I found another lump in my original breast. This time I wasn't so lucky and it was another mucinous carcinoma. This time I had a double mastectomy followed by Letrozole for 6 years. I stopped taking this in July 2017.

It can be difficult to diagnose MS, so I hope that you eventually find a simpler solution. I know that it's not easy to do, but try to hang on to what your GP said. The doctors and nurses at the breast clinic are all really pleasant and understanding, so there's really nothing to worry about for your appointment on Tuesday.

Don't forget to let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi,

Thanks again for taking the time out and reply. I have  been to hospital today and all is fine. 

And yes I agree they were all very kind. 

All the best

Katrin

Oh WOrried,

This sounds just fantastic. I expect that you are really relieved and, I am absolutely delighted to hear this. Did they say what your lump was due to, or do they want to check again after a few months?

I'm so glad that your GP was correct and, that there's nothing to worry about.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

It might be a bit late for me to post, but I wanted to say how reassuring reading others experiences was for me when I found a lump a few weeks back. I was referred to the breast clinic and as you can imagine all sorts was running through my head. I took to the internet and these forums were so reassuring (unlike 90% of what I read online!). I had days and nights worrying and was actually seen sooner than expected due to a cancellation, the doctor and other staff at the clinic were all great and so reassuring and it turned out to just be a cyst. I promised that I would make sure I posted to show how grateful I was to be able to turn to these forums.