Keep us updated. Good luck. Call the helpline 0808 800 4040 to speak with a nurse this week. It re opens early Tuesday morning so you might want to call then. You can do this. 

HI Becki3,

A very warm welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear about your symptoms. You have done the right thing by getting them investigated. Try not to panic (difficult, I know!). Not all breast lumps are cancerous - many turn out to be benign cysts or fibroadenoma. Only 20% of those referred to the breast clinic will receive a cancer diagnosis. I am sorry to hear that your mum had hormonal cancer. I know how scary this can be, because I lost my own mum to secondary breast cancer, which had spread to her brain, bones, liver and lungs.

You should get an appointment date within 2 weeks from the date of your GP's referral. Try to keep yourself busy in the interim - it doesn't matter whether this is with work or pleasure - anything to take your mind off the wait. Avoid the temptation to investigate in Google. Much of the information is poorly researched, out of date and aimed at the more spectacular cases. This won't give you any answers, but is sure to scare you even further.

I sincerely hope that all turns out well for you. Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, so a little update my breast has now swelled so much it has started swelling into my under arm and back it’s very swollen and hot to touch around were the lump is I went to urgent care on Monday feeling unwell high temperature and the swelling etc they thought it might be infection and gave me antibiotics but said if no better within 48 hours to go back it’s now been almost 72 hours and the swelling has got even worse if anything I have had my breast referral through for 2 weeks today but I’m worried that it is infection and 2 weeks is a long time to find out any advice on what I should do? Xx 

Forgot to also say it has quite a bit of redness around the lump area I don’t want to keep torturing the doctors and urgent care I don’t know what to do :-( xx 

Hi Becki3,

Thanks for the update.  I am sorry to hear that your symptoms haven't improved. Sometimes a certain antibiotic doesn't work for you and it needs to be changed to another. The redness, swelling and heat would certainly suggest an infection. Don't hesitate to go back and see urgent care again. 

It might also be worth phoning the Breast Clinic to speak with your consultant's secretary and asking them to notify you if they get any cancellations. Two weeks is about the usual time frame for an appointment, but this can sometimes bring your appointment forward.

 I hope that it settles soon. Please keep us updated. 

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx