Hello, I'm new here, I read through this entire thread yesterday before deciding I should maybe post. Sorry to hear about those of you who have had bad news the last couple of months. I had an appointment at at the GP (although I think I saw a "Physician's Assistant" rather than a GP) on Tuesday as I found a lump on my left breast. Well I say on the breast, it is in a weird place, basically right underneath in the crease, where the breast joins to my chest. It feels firm and I can't tell if it moves or not really, the skin over the top obviously moves and I can't really work out if the lump is moving too. PA said she didn't think it felt like anything nasty but for reassurance has done the urgent referral thing anyway. I had a text Wednesday morning confirming they'd be in touch but as yet, no phone call and I'm feeling so jittery about it all. Trying to keep busy etc but I would just like to know really. I'm 35, and have two young kids. My husband is being good, although is sort of relentlessly positive which I am finding a bit annoying although I know he is just trying to stop me panicking. I haven't told my mum even though I normally tell her everything. I just don't want to worry her unnecessarily. She has lost a lot of people to breast cancer and also is a retired GP so will know more than I do. Anyway, any tips on how to cope with this waiting....? Sorry for long post.

Hi Mamabird,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear about your symptoms and the worry that this is causing you. Not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts, or due to fibrous or hormonal changes. It is a fact that only 20% of the people who attend the breast clinic, will receive a cancer diagnosis. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in my right breast. Both of these lumps were on the underside and near the mid-line of my breast. These occurred within a year of one another. I had lost my mum to secondary breast cancer, which had spread to her liver, lungs, bone and brain, so I was naturally terrified when I was diagnosed. I also had 2 young teenage children and I worried about their future. 

Cancer treatments have made great advances since my mum's day and there was just no comparison between the diagnosis, treatment and after care, which we both experienced. Instead of dying with cancer, many people are now living with it. I am 14 years cancer free and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life.

You should normally get your appointment within 2 weeks from the date of referral. Most of us get annoyed by our partner's positivity at this stage, but I'm sure that it is well-meant. 

I see that you have been given some excellent advice from Sandpiper, about coping strategies. I would also add to steer clear of consulting "Dr Google". Much of the information here is aimed at the more spectacular cases, which are not applicable to you and will only serve to scare you further, without giving you any answers.

I do hope that your appointment comes through soon and that nothing untoward is found.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you Jolamine and Lebell, nice to know there are people who get it! I spoke to my mum this evening in the end. She said she remembered having a similar thing around my age so hopefully it's the same thing. I'll keep you guys posted... xxx

Thank you Jolamine and Lebell, nice to know there are people who get it! I spoke to my mum this evening in the end. She said she remembered having a similar thing around my age so hopefully it's the same thing. I'll keep you guys posted... xxx

Hi Mumabird,

I am glad to hear that you have now spoken to your mum and I'm sure that she will be a great support for you. I'm sure that it will also be very helpful having a retired GP in your corner, as you travel this journey. Here's hoping that your have the same problem as your mum had all those years ago and that it's nothing to be concerned about.

Do please keep us posted.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Mamabird and everyone on this forum.

I too have been reading over the whole thread and send my love to all of you on your journeys  xxx

I have had a weird rectangular almost lump above my right nipple area for a couple of months. It’s about 3 cm across. The skin is puckered around it and so went to the GP today. I asked her whether it could be stretch marks as I am losing quite a lot of weight at the moment but she said that it wasn’t that. It’s been since my weight has dropped (unintentionally) that you can visibly see the lump as my boobs have pretty much disappeared. 
she said she was concerned about the puckering and my weight and so have been referred. About 30 mins after the appt, I got a text to say “further to our appt, please stop your HRT immediately”  Can I ask, is this normal? I’m 47 and a lone parent carer to my son who is disabled and also my mother, when he is at school. I have no support and am trying desperately not to consult Dr Google, as I know where all paths lead there.

I am in Surrey and was told they no longer do an urgent or non urgent referral to the breast clinic. They see everyone within 2 weeks? 
I’m sorry to gatecrash the post! 
I guess it’s the waiting for an appt that is doing my nut in. 
From reading here, I can see that you all have been through it or are going through the wait. How to stay sane? 
lots of love to you all xxx

Hi Ivy, sorry to hear about your lump and other symptoms, fingers crossed whatever it is can be sorted ASAP. I know you haven't got a diagnosis yet but just in case I know Macmillan have support available for people who have caring responsibilities,  it's definitely extra stress that you don't need! I finally got a call about my appointment today, it isn't until 28th November, my local hospital is a three week wait as standard now apparently as they are so over subscribed, which obviously isn't brilliant. Anyway, I hope your wait isn't as long as mine, no real advice other than try to keep busy (which it sounds like you probably are anyway...) xxx

Hi ivy,

A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry to hear why you're here.

Cancer feeds on hormones, which is why you've been advised to stop taking your HRT. It sounds as if you already have your hands full with your son and your mum. You are doing the right thing by getting this investigated and also by steering clear of google. Much of the information is based on the more spectacular cases, is inappropriate to you, won't give you any answers and will scare you even further. They don't necessarily see everyone within 2 weeks. You will usually get your appointment date through within 2 weeks from the date of referral, but you may have to wait a further week or two for the actual appointment date, in some areas. 

Most of us who have been through cancer would agree that waiting in limbo like this, is one of the worst parts of our cancer journey.  Irrespective of the outcome, you will feel better once you have an answer.

Try to keep yourself preoccupied with work or pleasure, just to try and take your mind off the wait. I sincerely hope that your appointment comes through soon. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Mamabird,

I am sorry to hear that you have to wait until the end of the month for your appointment, but at least you now have it and can start a countdown to your actual consultation. 

Here's hoping that nothing untoward is found.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Mamabird and thank you :) 

I’m sorry that you have had to wait so long for an appointment and still have a wait. It is such a worry and hard to stop my mind going off into “what if” land. 
Yes to keeping busy, there are two psychotic Shih Tzus to add also so not really time to google as such, which I think is a good thing. 
How are you feeling? 

I’m hoping it’s nothing serious but have had this nagging thing for a year or so that something is going on in my body. 
I had a biopsy on my submandibular gland and I had reactive lymph nodes and ever since, my blood tests always come back with a low white count. Low neutrophils which I think is something to do with my immune system. 
I don’t know if it is linked or whether I’m imagining it but I thought something might be happening. 
I guess I should stop thinking about it and distract myself. I have ADHD and can get a bit hyper focused on things, just don’t want it to be this! 
I hope you are ok :) xxx

Hi Ivy,

I’m in Surrey too, and I think it is generally a very quick referral- mine certainly was. 

I hope you are able to keep yourself occupied while you wait. I went to the doctors on a Thursday, got a call on the Friday and my first hospital appointment was the following Thursday. It all happened very quickly. I don’t know where I’m Surrey you are, but feel free to message me about anything xx

Hi Jolamine and thank you :) 

That makes sense about the HRT. I’m not going to take anymore until I get some more info at the appointment, hopefully in the not too distant future. 
BBC iplayer have uploaded loads of Dr Who episodes and I’m a bit of a nerd, so I think that is what I am going to binge watch to get through the wait! 
thanks again xxx

Hi GoonerGirl, 

I’m in Egham, sort of near Heathrow way but on the Surrey side. Thank you so much :) 

The Dr did say “they could call tomorrow so keep your phone near you” which is promising though my paranoid head thinks that it could be an ominous sign! I’m overthinking it, I know. 
Thanks again xxx

Personally I don’t think it’s an ominous sign when they call you quickly. You are supposed to be seen within two weeks, and in Surrey they seem to be on top of that at the moment. I first saw my doctor on 8th September, and was diagnosed, and had surgery on 24th October. So all happened really quickly. 

xx