Urgent referral for breast lump

Hi all,

I’m new here, hope you’re all doing ok - thanks for reading my post. 

it’s 2.40am and having real trouble sleeping at the moment as the panic has set in - I’ve been ok up until now.

I noticed some lumpy areas in my left breast and got an appointment last Friday at the docs, who have referred me to the breast clinic under the 2 week period (still awaiting an appointment). 

in 2021, I found a lumpy area in my right breast in the inner lower quadrant and had a ultrasound which revealed it was a lipoma. I mentioned this to the doc last Friday who didn’t examine this breast. I have now realised that what I assumed was the lipoma in the same area is now possibly an additional hard lump and I’m now worrying myself silly - I don’t remember the lipoma feeling so hard but have assumed for a long time it was the original lipoma. 

I know it’s worth awaiting my appointment at the breast clinic  rather than going back to the doctors as they can’t do anything, it’s just trying to manage the anxiety and the horrible spiralling thoughts.

please let me know if you have any tips for handling the worry for anyone else in the same boat - thanks for reading my early morning ramblings!

love to you all x

  • I know it’s hard as u say we want answers but we know in reality we’re not going to get them until our appointment, at the earliest but we still do it to ourselves. Your time scale sounds pretty s ar to mine then, I hope I’m not waiting too long at I go on holiday in 3 weeks, really would rather know something before going so I’m not on holiday in limbo  (crossing my fingers).

    I'm in Cumbria, not really sure what timescales here are like at the minute, just a waiting game.

    I hope you get your appointment through soon, keep me informed I’d love to hear how u get on and hopefully nothing to worry about x

  • Hey lovely! 

    I’m hopeful you’ll get your appointment soon so you can enjoy peace of mind for your holiday in a few weeks time. Give them a call on the date stated in your letter if no word from them and see what they say, there may be a backlog. Fingers crossed.

    How are you feeling today? I’ve been keeping myself busy by sorting out my house and having a clearout - loading lots of unwanted clothes onto vinted which is a good distraction. 

    absolutely, will definitely keep you posted. Hopefully not much longer for us both! X

  • Hi Sandpiper,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    You have done the right thing by getting these lumps investigated, even though this waiting time is so worrying. It is not at all unusual to have sleepless nights and all sorts of emotions during this time. You are right to try and steer clear of the internet at present - not easy I know, but it can take you to all sorts of dark places and doesn't give you any answers. LCR has given you some good advice about keeping yourself busy in the meantime.

    It is a pity that your area has a backlog, but I hope that your appointment comes through soon. Only 2 people out of every 10, who attend the breast clinic, get a cancer diagnosis, so here's hoping that you'll be one of the lucky ones.

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

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Jolamine! 

    Thanks for the lovely warm welcome to the group and for your kind message. 

    the internet can definitely take you to all kinds of dark places, so agreed absolutely best to avoid until we know what we’re dealing with. Yourself and the other lovely members have given some great advice and nice messages which have really helped. I

    Those figures are really reassuring, thank you. I’ll definitely keep you all update with what will hopefully be good news! 

    all the best!  Xx

  • Hi, yes I’m going to give them a ring tomorrow if nothing comes in the post.

    not feeling too bad the children were at their ninni and grandads for the night last night so we went out for food and a few cocktails, and today I’ve kept busy with uniform ironing and food shopping haha. How are you feeling have you managed to keep busy?

    I also noticed today that if I raise my arm my left breast (where my lump is) also dips in, hoping that it does this with cysts and other things not related to the ‘C’ word but it does have me even more worried xx

  • At least you received a letter quickly. Tomorrow it will be a week since I saw my GP and I haven't heard anything. 

    Im trying to stay positive. Thinking that it's just a cyst. But then there's a niggling feeling that it might not. Please, let us know how you get on!

  • I’m the same keep trying to convince myself it’s a cyst of some kind but then I also know it’s quite hard, doesn’t move, and not painful, along with the indent when I lift my arm I’m not positive, but hey until we all know different we should all try to think positive.

    it’s strange how different it is in different areas for response and wait times, I had a letter from the breast clinic 2 days after my GP appointment just saying I should hear about my appointment by 11th, so I suppose I should thank myself lucky I’ve at least heard something at least. I will let you all know any updates once I ring them if I don’t hear anything tomorrow xx

  • Hi, just a quick update, I rang the referral breast clinic this morning and they have booked me my appointment for Wednesday morning….so glad I’ve not long to wait but at the same time I’m wondering what my referral said since theyve managed to get me in so quick. Hope you’re doing ok and managing not to think about it too much. I will keep you updated after my appointment xx

  • It’s great that they are seeing you so quickly . It is supposed to be a 2 week referral time but some people are waiting up to 8 weeks . Please don’t read anything into the quick referral , the sooner it’s checked the sooner you can get on . I wish you all the best x

  • I received my appointment for the 3rd of October.