2 week urgent referral

Hi all, 

I have recently found a golf ball size lump in my breast on the lower outer quadrant, I went to the doctors in the 29th October and was given a referral form to book my 2 week appointment, it was booked for the 10th November, I received a call on Friday saying they had to cancel due to staff sickness and had been rebooked for the 18th November, so in total I’m waking near 4 weeks to he seen, I am on the cancellation list but I just feel that with the size of the lump a 4 week wait seems a bit unfair to be made to wait this long just to be seen by a specialist/consultant. 
I had a cyst in the same breast over 2+years ago that was in a similar place and this was no bigger than I’d say a 10p-50p coin and this was drained after confirming on a ultra sound, when I last had the cyst I was constantly checking my breasts but sometimes it hard to tell as I have very lumpy breasts in general but after having the one 2+years a go I had not really checked as often as would usually of done, Im know so scared because I’m having to wait a lot longer and just the size, feel and looks feels a lot different from last time, I have a split nipple from breast feeding my first daughter 23 years ago and my nipple looks different I think but it’s so hard to tell be cause of the split and I have some dimpling of my breast also.
I had stage 1b cervical cancer back in 2016, i found out a week before my 30th birthday that it was cancer, thankfully was caught very early but because of this I get so paranoid about any lump I now find.  
Im am a lot more scared this time around and im trying to stay busy and not worry so much but its so hard because i feel it all the time through my clothes, standing, sitting with out even touching the lump physically and when i lay down on my side at night the lump stick out to the side of my breast so that tells me that the lump isn’t really moving. 
Im so sorry for the long paragraph, I think I just would like to know if anyone’s else has had a similar lump,size or even position and if they have had to wait as long especially with how big in size the lump is. 

  • Hi Jojo86,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear that you've already had cervical cancer and a breast cyst. It is natural to feel worried while you're waiting for an appointment at the breast clinic. Not all lumps are cancerous. You will probably be aware of this, when you have already had a cyst? Some people have naturally lumpy breasts, but others have benign cysts, Fibroadenoma, etc. It is a fact that only 20% of all those referred to the breast clinic will get a cancer diagnosis.

    Waiting times for appointments can vary and tend to take longer in some busy hospitals. I expect that appointments are already being worked around Christmas, which could also account for the delay. It is most unfortunate that your appointment had to be cancelled because of illness and I can understand the frustration that this extra time is causing. Once you find a lump, you are always aware of it. You are doing the right thing by trying to keep busy and not touching the lump, which will only make it sore. It is also usually a good idea to stay away from consulting Dr Google, until you have a diagnosis. Much of the information is poorly researched, out of date and aimed at the more spectacular cases, which won't give you any answers and will only serve to scare you further.

    Many people here have had large lumps too, but it is impossible to tell whether or not there is anything untoward until you have had some tests carried out. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you. 

    I sincerely hope that nothing untoward is found.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine  xx