Hi Freakingout123,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that your breast clinic appointment is taking longer than expected. Many clinics are running behind with their patient lists. You might find it helpful to phone again and say that you are willing to take a cancellation. This sometimes means that you can be seen earlier. Most of us would agree that this is one of the most anxious times of our entire cancer journey, when our overactive imaginations take us to all sorts of dark places.

There are two things that you can do while you're waiting. Avoid consulting "Dr Google", as much of the information is poorly researched, out of date and aimed at the more spectacular cases. This won't give you any answers and will only serve to scare you further. Secondly, keep yourself as busy as you can just now - this doesn't all have to be with work - go our with friends, see a film, do a jigsaw - anything that helps to take your mind off the wait.

I lost my mum and my gran to breast cancer and have had 2 bouts of cancer and 1 of pre-cancer. These were all within a year of one another. Diagnosis, treatment and aftercare are all so very different now from how they were in my mum's time. I am fortunate to still be here 15 years on and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life. 

Some facts that might help you are that not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts or fibroadenoma. It is also a fact that, of all the people who attend the breast clinic, only 20% will have breast cancer. 

I sincerely hope that all goes well for your visit 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