Hi Rosie , I don’t agree that you would be rejected because of your age at at breast clinic however younger ladies often have Breast changes due to hormones , time of the month etc . It is important in my humble opinion to go back and try and get referred to the breast clinic . It is usually nothing at your age but I would get it checked out for peace of mind xx

Hi Rosie, like you I found a lump in my breast in Nov 2022 and it is the same as you have described your lump, when I went to the doctors the first time I had an experience like this, the doctor told me to come back after my period was over but I never made a second appointment because I though the lump had disappeared and I assumed everything was fine as the doctor didn’t seem concerned. I noticed the lump again around feb but as I said I just assumed it was nothing serious as it came and went before. I became worried about the lump recently so I went back to the GP as I noticed it was constantly there and causing pain within my breast tissue, It’s worth mentioning that I’m only 21 myself but the second time I went to see the GP she referred me straight away as the lump has grown and was causing discomfort in my breasts.

I do have a family history of breast cancer (mum and grandma) and since the lump has grown in size and it is constantly there perhaps that it why the GP referred me. But what I would suggest being persistent with the GP. I wasn’t and I’m now regretting it as I constantly find myself being stressed about it being there. 

My appointment at the breast clinic is tomorrow and I hope that the next time you see the GP they take you seriously, you know your body and if something doesn’t feel right it’s worth getting it checked. Something else that may put your mind at ease is that the most common type of breast lumps in young women are often cysts or fibroadenomas which are benign. 

I hope everything goes well for you xx

Hi LCR, I was also a bit confused as to why the GP just didn’t at least try to refer me anyway (even if it did get rejected). I think you’re right though!! Luckily she said she would book me in for the 23rd to see what’s happening after my cycle has ended and that we’ll go from there. She did say if it’s still there next time it’s probably worth looking into it a bit more so it sounds like she’s just building up a case to then refer me if really needed. It seems a bit smaller today but I don’t know if that’s just my wishful thinking haha. Also is painful now because I’m constantly aware of it and trying to find it. Very stressful ://. Thank you for your advice though!! xx

Hi LondonJ, I’m so sorry you’re going through a similar thing. It’s not very nice at all (even when it’s nothing).  As far as I’m aware, I don’t have an immediate family history of breast cancer but my mum has had a few scares the last couple of years and is prone to quite big and painful cysts as she’s going through the menopause. I think the anxiety we had around that as a family has definitely made me feel slightly worse about what I’ve felt in my breast :((. Luckily my GP said she would book me in for a second appointment which I think I’m going to go to even if the lump does disappear after my period just to be super safe, especially with you saying yours disappeared and came back. I hope your appointment goes okay today though and that it’s nothing to worry about. You’ll have to let us know how it went (if you’re comfortable with that). Think I just need that sort of confirmation/peace of mind as well so hopefully I can be referred in a few weeks if need be because I think I’ll just be constantly worrying about it if not. I can’t concentrate on anything else at the moment haha. Thank you!! xx

I totally understand how you feel, it’s like once you’ve felt it your always thinking about it and thinking the worse even though I think it’s about 80% of breast lumps turn out to be benign. But it’s good that you’re gonna go to your follow up appointment, I highly encourage you to even if you find the lump gets smaller or disappears it’s always better to get it checked. 

My appointments at 3:20 and I’m so nervous I’m just praying it’s nothing too serious. My lump seems almost identical to yours from the way you’ve described it, only mine is slightly bigger mine is around 4cm and normally things like smoothness, mobility & regular boarders point towards it being benign, but this isn’t always the case so definitely get it checked again after your period. 

Hopefully I will be able to update later with good news! As I said before most breast lumps in young women tend to be cysts or Fibroadenomas so I just hope that is the case for us both xx

Awhh I hope it went okay!! I managed to get another doctor’s appointment tomorrow with somebody else because I have been panicking about it so much haha. My mum actually rang the breast clinic at the hospital and they were so confused that the doctor told me they would reject my referral because of my age. This was just more of an incentive for me to go back sooner and demand a referral. Hopefully I can persuade the other doctor tomorrow to put one through because I’ll have to wait another two weeks for a referral appointment anyway which I hadn’t realised. Definitely best to get it sorted sooner rather than later then. But me too!! Hopefully it’s all okay for both of us xxxx

Hiya Rosie, 

Good to hear that you’ve managed to get another appointment, it is strange that the first time you went your doctor they wouldn’t refer you at all, it is unlikely to get breast cancer so young but not impossible so it’s disheartening to hear that the doctor didn’t take your concerns seriously. I hope your appointment tomorrow goes more successfully and you manage to get a referral. For most urgent referrals you should be seen within 2 weeks, mine was 2 weeks to the day of my appointment with the GP but yours could be sooner so try not to worry.

The doctor I saw today at the hospital said to me even though most breast lumps turn out to be nothing it is always worth getting them checked so well done for being persistent! My appointment went well, it was a fibroadenoma like I suspected. My GP said my lump was around 4cm but the ultrasound I had today revealed it was only 1.7cm so it always worth going to the breast clinic to see a specialist. 

I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow, feel free to update after your appointment if you feel comfortable doing so xxxx

Hope I haven’t scared you ladies by suggesting  that you push for referral to breast clinic . At your ages it’s likely to be nothing sinister but it’s just not worth taking a chance xx

Hi LCR 

No not at all, it’s always good to receive advice from people who have been through similar. My appointment at the breast clinic confirmed a fibroenenoma so that was the best possible result. 

Thank you for your kind words and your advice. The doctor even said to me that even tho most lumps turn out to be benign it’s always worth getting them checked xx