Hi hb5

Really sorry you find yourself in this position. 

My breast cancer was picked up through the screening program. As I'm in my 50s,I got many mammograms, an ultrasound, a physical examination and biopsies. The latter was decided after they looked at the scans. I was then taken into the consultant's office and sown the scans. I could see the white dots which could indicate cancer but the consultant wasn't sure. I waited about a week for the results.

Your symptoms could be due to other things rather than cancer and your GP wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't investigate. 

The breast clinic is there for people with a number of conditions, very few are diagnosed with cancer. 

Try and keep yourself busy, keep your mind in check and don't Google. 

Hopefully others will come along soon and share their experience with you. 

We are here for you x

Hi, 

sorry to hear you are going through this.

Here's a bit about my experience so far. 

I found a lump on my breast & was sent for an urgent referral. My appointment was on the 13th Feb where I was examined, had some mammograms (they needed to do a 3d one as well) then ultrasound. Once they had reviewed that I was told they were really concerned about the lump so had to get biopsies of the lump & lymph node. 

I received my results Friday confirming it was cancer & now just need to get some more scans before a treatment plan can be made. 
 

Have you mentioned to your GP about the swollen nodes at the back of your neck? Probably no harm in mentioning when you do go for your appointment. 
 

if you are going alone, I suggest to take a book or something with you to keep your mind busy. There's sometimes a bit of a wait between it all if you end up getting the full works. 
 

hopefully everything goes well & has a positive outcome for you. 

i agree with magpiemaggie, try to stay off google & find things that will distract your mind. My guilty pleasure was TikTok, Netflix & a good book. 

Here if you need to chat x

Hi there, 

I'm sorry you are going through this. Remember most lumps are benign, but it's best to get it checked out.

I have breast cancer, I am 39, no family history. On my visit to the breast clinic it was clear from the ultrasound and mammogram alone it was cancer, right breast and lymph nodes. I was shocked that the nurse could tell me this, even before she did the biopsies, but they know its characteristics. So I knew then, they were not doing the biopsies to rule out cancer, but to determine my grade and stage.

I can imagine maybe some nurses would not be so bold to say if it is cancer based on the imaging. I'm not sure. I did ask a direct question if it was cancer though, they have to tell you the truth.

I got my biopsy results 9 days after they were taken. It was then they told me the type of breast cancer, grade and stage.

Tell them everything you think is relevant, there's no such thing as too much info.

Hope all goes well for you x

Hi Hb5,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that you feel so stressed about your appointment. Most of us tend to give rein to our imainations, the closer we get to our appointment date. We also go through a whole range of emotions.This is all perfectly normal, as are your tears. The one thing about crying, is that it is a good release valve for some of those pent up emotions.

It is a fact that younger people are less likely to develop breast cancer than older people. It is also a fact that only 2 people out of every 10 who attend the breast clinic, will get a cancer diagnosis.

When you arrive at the clinic, you will have a discussion with a consultant about your symptoms and how long you have had them. You will then have a physical examination. If there is the slightest possibility that there might be something untoward present, you may then have an ultrasound and a biopsy. Most people under 40 don't have a mammogram, as younger breasts tend to be denser, so the picture is not always as clear.

To take the biopsy, you will usually have an injection of local analgesia to numb the area, then a small amount of cells or tissue is removed from the breast. This sample is then sent to the laboratory to be analysed. How quickly the results come back can depend upon whereabouts in the country you are.  Under normal circumstances, this takes between 1-2 weeks. However, Covid is still delaying things in some areas and it can take a little longer in these areas. The best way to get an indication of how long you are likely to have to wait, is to ask at the time that the procedure is carried out. The biopsy is the gold standard for testing if there is any cancer present. Consultans see so many cases, that they can sometimes detect cancer, when they see certain characteristics on scans, but they usually do a biopsy to confirm this. Not all lumps are cancerous. Many are cysts or fibroadenoma. I see that you are attending a 'one stop shop'. Many do get an diagnosis on the day. Usually doctors will tell you if they suspect someting suspicious, but you may still have to wait for biopsy confirmation.

When your biopsy is returned to the clinic, your case will be discussed by your consultant and his/her MDT (multi-disciplinary team) team. This is when all the care professionals, who are likely to be involved in your case, discuss the findings and decide whether or not you need any further treatment. If you are likely to, this will all have been discussed by the time you are called to discuss your results.

The staff at these clinics are usually very helpful and understanding. I sincerely hope that all goes well for you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hiya, 

I attended the breast clinic on Thursday just gone after being sent for a 2 week wait referral by the GP. It started off with an examination by the consultant, he felt both my breasts and then marked with a pen where lump was. He said he suspects it is a fibroadenoma but would like an ultrasound to be sure (i can not have a mammogram as i am 27 so too young). I then went to another waiting room and waited to be called in, a different consultant then scanned the breast, she confirmed that it was defintley not a cyst as my lump is hard and not filled with fluid. Because of this she would like to do a biopsy. I didn't realise that the biopsy would be done there and then i thought i would go back to a different waiting room so it was quite a shock especially as you are alone in there. The biopsy itself was absolutley fine i would rate it a 2/10 for pain. A sharp scratch for for anaesthetic and then just a bit of pressure when taking the biopsy. I was then told to go back to see the first consultant, he then said that the results would be 2-3 weeks and i would receive a letter either confirming that it is a fibroadenoma or the letter would state i have an appointment (in which it will most likely not be good news). I think if they had a strong suspicion it was cancer then they would tell you on the day. I feel like i am limbo as they didn't confirm it but didn't also deny it.

I would definitley tell them about the swollen nodes as it could all be linked and won't hurt to tell then. I hope it all goes well for you!