Hi Faye, don't worry about the wording, some places are referred to as Breast Clinics and some as Breast Surgery Teams.  When you are going through this waiting time you tend to look for the smallest detail and analyse it to death or I do anyway!  They do plenty of tests at the clinic so if there is something to find they will find it, more often than not it's something harmless.  You're very lucky to have such an early appoitnment.  I hope it goes well for you x

Hi Faye,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am so sorry to hear about your aunts and about your symptoms. You have done the right thing by checking them out, as we are always advised to check out any breast changes. I lost my mum to breast cancer along with a number of other relatives. and was terified when I was first diagnosed. I've now had 2 bouts, but I am 13 years down the line and still lead a busy and fulfilling life.

You will find that the staff at these clinic are really understanding and helpful. It is a fact that only 2 people out of every 10 who attend, will get a cancer diagnosis. Not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts or fibroadenoma. It may be because you have large breasts, that you cannot feel a lump. I notice that your GP has put down bruising on your referral. Could this be due to something as simple as a wired bra digging in?

Please feel free to post on this forum at any time - nothing is too trivial or silly to mention. We have nearly all been where you are and know how worrying this time can be.

Here's hoping that you get good news tomorrow. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello

I saw your post and wanted to wish you well for tomorrow.  If you're up to it, it would be great if you were able to update us on how things went.

I've been experiencing very similar issues for last 8 weeks & was also seen at the Breast clinic 2week thing in March. I had an examination and a mammogram, which the surgeon said were normal, and I was discharged. My symptoms persist, so I have another m appointment with my GP next week (3rd since March) & I will be asking for a re-referral.  I'm a bit older (55), and GP feels could be down to menopause, I feel a bit like they're sick of me. Your analogy of it feeling like a purse under your arm is spot on - I wish I was so clear in describing it! Unfortunately I don't know much about my family health history, which doesn't help!

It's hard not to let your mind go to dark places and catastrophise, but this forum has helped me see it's not always doom/gloom.  
Good luck for tomorrow - I will be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way.  Xx

Hi toottoot

Thank you for taking the time to reach out to me. Yes I'm completely the same analysing every little thing and doctor google is the devil.  I've found that I've had to stop looking for answers as it's not helping and I'm definately not getting it from the www.  Here's hoping within 24 hours it's good news. 
 

thsnk you once again xx

Good evening Jolamine

So Sorry for your loss and for what you've gone through, but feeling empowered and positive from your    Story.  Where the bruising is my bra doesn't touch that part.  Thank you so much for your kind words and support I'll be sure to update tomorrow 

faye xxx

Hi 

Thank you so much for your kind words and I'll be sure to update tomorrow on what the findings if any are.  
 

I'm 47 and to be honest I put off going to the GP about it as since October last year I have never been there so much.  October caught covid, then ended up with Pleurisy and horrific intercostal tenderness. Then end of November 22 had an horrendous vaginal bleed which was nothing like me as I only ever spotted and was diagnosed with Adenomyosis which I never ever heard of and a polyp which I'm currently on the waiting list for a hysteroscopy for. Since November I've not had a period since. I have been perimenopausal since 41.  Then January this year started with neurological issues. My GP when I finally went about my breast actually said to me "my we seem to speaking an awful lot lately and chuckled" she obviously didn't mean anything by it but I literally sat there and thought that's exactly why I've not bothered coming. I kept saying to my husband and mum I can't go about my armpit they'll think I'm crazy they'll end sectioning me.

I finally went for the obvious reasons but it's so bloody annoying as well, I can't sleep properly either as it's uncomfortable on the right side to sleep on. When I'm out and about I feel like all I seem to do is fidget with my armpit. My breast has changed shape slightly but I told the GP I just thought that was part of the aging process and my right breast has always been slightly bigger than the left anyway.  I've started now though with annoying pain in my shoulder that's intense like a piercing stabbing pain, hopfuly it'll all just turn out to be something joint related, as a gp once told me you don't get pain with cancer ! 
 

For yourself, I would press on with a re-referral as sometimes we just have to trust our gut.  I hope you too get some answers . Thsnks agsin for your well wishes and thoughts xxx
 

Hi CLCAC

Read your posts today and could have written them myself! I'm a but further down the line than you in that I've had this situation ongoing now since March 22 when I first attended the breast clinic having been referred under 2 week wait due to breast pain and nipple changes in left side. Had full consultation, examination by breast specialist then mammogram. Was told all clear but had multiple cysts like bubble wrap at top. No answer for nipple other than ageing. Diagnosed non cyclical pain and sent off with advice on pain relief.

Fast forward to June 22 still had pain so back to GP and referred back to clinic. Went through same process again but had ultrasound on the upper left area where cysts and asymmetrical tissue found. Told that nipple pain could be Raynauds as worse when I'm cold. Again advice to take pain relief and alls well thankfully, 

Pain continued so I stopped my HRT after being on it with no problems for 8 years as I was worried that could be cause of pain. I'm 58 and been post meno 14 years.

September 22 had my invitation to routine breast screening so checked re timescales for another mammal gram and as 6 months had passed they said I could have it and I thought great to be extra sure that no issues going on. I had another all clear but then developed pain under upper arm, in armpit and tight feeling in arm on same side. Off to GP again who examined me thoroughly and found no cause for concern. 
Sadly I am no further forward with answers for the pain but saw GP again only yesterday who told me it could be nerve pain as I have pain in my shoulder now too. I've been examined twice already this year too by different GPs who have told me they have no concerns.

I feel so guilty when I've been given the all clear and read some stories on here from wonderful strong people who have been such a support to me, but I continually worry that something is being missed as pain is almost constant now but no cause has been found..

I hope you get some answers soon.

Hello

Sorry it's taken so long to reply!  Just a little update which, I hope, may help.  I went to see another consultant (ended up privately as I was getting so uptight and NHS re-referral would be routine, so a bit of a wait). The private hospital give you a clear cost, so you don't have any surprises and, while it did cost, I figured it was cheaper than a weekend away and I'd not stress over that!

Anyways, the NHS secretary sent a copy of my mammogram and clinical report/letter to the private consultant (who actually works as an NHS breast consultant too), so I didn't need another mammogram. They did an ultrasound - all normal, and thorough clinical examination. They also spent time going through mammogram/ultrasound results and explaining how to check boobs etc. The feeling is it's all hormonal/menopausal! Still having some discomfort on occasion (ie if wearing wired bra). Sounds like it's just something that will eventually resolve, but I am reassured it's not sinister.

I had no complaints re NHS - doctor at clinic was lovely, but I wanted reassurance and further test (ultrasound), so that's why I did 2nd opinion.  As I say, issues not completely resolved, but I'm reassured it's, yet another, horrible manifestation of the menopause that I'll have to put up with - isn't it fun!!

I hope maybe this helps - strangely I feel the discomfort is lessening a bit, but that might be because I'm also less anxious and not constantly focusing/poking around there!

Sending you lots of good wishes and positive thoughts for a good outcome.  Xx