Urgent Breast Clinic Referral

Hi everyone,

 

Recently, I discovered some lumpy swelling above my left breast, accompanied with pain that radiates into my shoulder. The pain has subsided a bit, however I now have a dull, achy, persistent pain in the side of my left breast beside my armpit. My breasts are quite lumpy, and so I can't differentiate between what is, and what isn't abnormal.

 

I went to see my GP on Monday, who was concerned about this area above my breast. He said he was putting through an urgent referral, "otherwise it could be months before you're seen." The pain in the side of my left breast started after this appointment. I can't help but think the worst, I have health anxiety and this has made it escalate so much. For context, I'm 25 years old and have no history of BC in my family. I have swollen lymph nodes (size of little peas) around my chest and above both breasts, and my right breast has little pains going through it now but only occasionally, in the same spot as on the left. My GP has prescribed me with clarithromycin and ibuprofen, although I can't tell if they're helping or not - no significant changes so far.

 

I realise it may turn out to be benign, however the signs aren't pointing to many benign breast conditions from what I've seen. I'm worried sick and can't stop crying, I can barely eat nor sleep with worry and it's a horrible, horrible feeling.

 

Has anyone had a similar experience to mine? I really need someone to talk to, or some reassurance. I know nobody can diagnose me here, I just really needed to vent how I'm feeling.

 

Thank you in advance xxx

Parents
  • As ProfBaw says only the doctors can diagnose, but you can take a little comfort perhaps from the comment that your GP is putting through an urgent referral "otherwise it could be months before you're seen". To put some context on this, see today's feature on routine gynae referrals in the Guardian (will try and add a link below).

    It sounds to me as if you have a very good GP who is being cautious and referring you as urgent to avoid any possibility of a cancer being missed but who, in different times, might perhaps simply have done a routine referral.

    www.theguardian.com/.../dismissal-of-womens-health-problems-as-benign-leading-to-soaring-nhs-lists

  • I hope that's the case, I now have two little yellow bruises on the top of my breast, and continued pain around my breast/armpit/shoulder/collarbone. The antibiotics I got prescribed did little, if anything to help, so I just need to wait and see when my referral is now. A small area of skin on the top of my breast has also changed, looks almost web-like and is smooth to the touch. My GP is calling on Friday morning for a follow-up, so I'm hoping he can give me some clarity. Thank you for your reply x

Reply
  • I hope that's the case, I now have two little yellow bruises on the top of my breast, and continued pain around my breast/armpit/shoulder/collarbone. The antibiotics I got prescribed did little, if anything to help, so I just need to wait and see when my referral is now. A small area of skin on the top of my breast has also changed, looks almost web-like and is smooth to the touch. My GP is calling on Friday morning for a follow-up, so I'm hoping he can give me some clarity. Thank you for your reply x

Children
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