Hi Maple,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling so "freaked out". The 2 week pathway is the norm for most breast issues and, although many of us don't realise that this is a suspected cancer pathway, this is not as bad as it sounds. If there is the slighted suspicion of cancer, we are referred under the "2 week urgent pathway". This means that you should get an appointment through within 2 weeks from the date of referral, although you may need to wait a little longer than this for the actual appointment date. Not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts, Fibroadenoma or due to hormonal changes. It is also a fact that, of all the people referred to the breast clinic, only 20% will get a cancer diagnosis, so your chances are still favourable.

This is always a scary time and our over-active imaginations don't help, by taking us to all sorts of dark places. Try to avoid consulting "Dr Google". Much of the information there is aimed at the more spectacular cases, won't pertain to you and will only serve to scare you even further.  We usually advise people to keep themselves busy, whether with work or pastimes, while they are waiting. This should be easy to do as Christmas approaches.

When you attend the clinic the 3 most used tests are a mammogram, an ultrasound and possibly a biopsy. The scans show up the lump and the shape of it, but the biopsy is needed to detect whether or not a lump is cancerous. If you have a biopsy, you will normally have to wait another 1-2 weeks to get the results of this.

Please keep in touch and let us know when you get your appointment through. We are always here for you and this is indeed a very supportive community.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx