Hi Funky Boots,

Welcome to our forum. It can be difficult to  identify a lump in breasts which are already lumpy. Please go ahead and contact your NHS GP. Whilst it does happen with younger people, nobody should be excluded from tests simply because of their age. Just don't let your GP dismiss you. Tell him/her about your family history and that you feel that your breast tissue has thickened  since you had your ultrasound. If you notice changes these should be investigated.

Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Here's hoping for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you Jolamine for taking the time to respond. I have browsed a few other threads and seen you take time to respond to people as well, you are wonderful! I appreciate age is on my side and that unlike my mum (with a first and second degree relative with breast/ovarian cancer) that I am at much less of genetic risk. I have issues with anxiety, so I am worried that I will get dismissed for that reason on top of my age. 

I am hoping that I don't have to travel 200 miles for the doctor to check my breasts and dismiss me. 

Hi Funky Boots,

It doesn't make sense for you to travel 200 miles to get your breasts checked in the current climate. As you are currently at home, it sounds as if the best thing for your GP to do would be to refer you to a doctor or clinic closer to your home.

You are certainly not wasting anyone's time. Only 1 person in every 8 referred to the breast clinic will receive a cancer diagnosis. Write down a list of all the questions you have for your GP to ensure that you don't forget anything important and make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can.

Do you have a family GP near home? This would be the other way to approach this problem. As you are in lockdown, you shouldn't be travelling any distance. Perhaps your family GP would see you locally instead? - It would certainly be worth a call to the practice receptionist to enqire.

I hope that it all goes well whichever way you decide to approach this.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks Jolamine for the reply. Unfortunately, I am only allowed to be registered with one NHS GP at a time which means I had to choose between a GP at uni and a GP back at home. I was almost pestered at university to change it to a local uni GP. I am contemplating paying out of pocket for a breast ultrasound, but know that biopsies (if needed) can get quite expensive on top of that which I can't really afford out of pocket. I think I might wait until my university deadlines have passed (in a weeks time) and see what the GP can do. If need be, I might have to travel up north if things can't get sorted sooner.

Hi FunkyBoots,

I agree that you can only register with one doctor at a time, but doctors still have a duty to see people who, for instance, fall ill on holiday away from home. Surely, you would be entitled to a similar reciprocal arrangement, particularly in these strange times of lockdown?

Why not give the nurses on this site a phone and ask for their advice? You can contact them free of charge on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday from 9.00am - 5.00pm.

When undertaking tests privately costs can rise steeply. It is not unusual to have an ultrasound and biopsy on the same day, if there is anything suspicious found. Private hospitals will give you their prices if you ask for them. It is always best to do this, so that you don't get any additional nasty surprises.

I do so hope that you manage to get something sorted locally.

Kindest regards,

Jolamine xx