I have been to see my GP today after 2 weeks of continual pain in my breasts with some nipple discharge. She got me to lay down and informed me they are really lumpy and asked if this is normal for me, which it's not.  I'm adopted but do know my birth mothers mum died of breast cancer which added a few more alarm bells to my head. She told me she will be writing to the breast surgeon to get me an appointment so now I'm worrying. What is the average timescale between referral and appointment?  Am I panicking too early? 
Emily x

Hi Emily,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that your GP has felt it necessary to refer you to the breast clinic. Try not to let this worry you, as only 1 person in every 8 referred will get a cancer diagnosis. You don't say what age you are, but many young women also have naturally lumpy breasts.

You will usually be seen at the clinic within 2 weeks from referral. Panic won't change your outcome, so try to stay calm.  You will find that keeping busy will help to pass the time as your're waiting.

You may have some tests taken when you are at the clinic and it usually takes 1-2 weeks to get the results of these back. It is not usually until this stage that you can be sure that all is clear.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Cupcakes,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am glad to hear that you finally got your lump checked out and that your GP doesn't think that there is anything to worry about. She is however doing the right thing by sending you for a mammogram, just to make absolutely certain, because even the most experienced doctor doesn't have x-ray eyes.

I sincerely hope that she is right and that your mammogram comes back clear too.

Do please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi all, 

Been to my gp today as had some soreness/tenderness on the outside of my left breast.. after worrying it for a few days I found something like a lump gp has referred me to the breast clinic and as I am fortunate enough to have private health I've used that and have an appointment for tests Friday afternoon with results except a biopsy if needed on the same day...

Currently petrified and imagining the worst... Although reading these has helped a little 

Louise

Hi Louise,

A very warm to our forum, although I'm sorry to hear of why you've joined us.  It is good news that you have private insurance and  are getting seen at the breast clinic quickly. I know that it's almost impossible, but try not to worry. We nearly all fear the worst at this stage and, there are so many unknowns that it's a really scary time.

Not all lumps are cancerous. There are a number of different types, especially in younger people. Whatever you do, try to avoid the internet at the moment, as this will only scare you further for no good reason. Irrespective of the outcome, you will feel better once you know exactly what the outcome is.

I hope that all goes well for you on Friday. Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello

Thanks for the quick reply :-)

I am trying not to google, but I can't stop imagining the worst at the moment..  Doesn't help that I've poked the lump so much, I've bruised it so its now really sore on top of everything else!

I will update on Friday

Louise  xx

Hi Louise,

Try not to keep checking your breasts as this will make them sorer.

Not long to wait now!

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Helo - I have my appointment on Friday too. NHS are amazing - docs appointment last Fri with sore breast and big lump- 4 cm and now appointment this Friday for mammogram and utrasound. Hope it goes okay I am so scared

How old are you? I'm 44

Hi, I have also been referred to the breast clinic my appointment is on 15th Feb. 
 

I saw my GP in early Dec with breast pain he examined me and then diagonised Costochondritis. The pain eased off and we had a lovely Christmas (albeit in Tier 4) Pain then came back along with a constant heaviness in my left breast and a feeling of the underneath sticking to my chest / stomach (I'm about 4 stone overweight) Saw the GP again on 28th Jan who examined me no lumps etc but referred me as she is in her words "over cautious" She said both my breasts felt the same. She did however write suspected breast cancer on the referral form. Is this normal ? 
 

Im trying not to use Dr Google but have now developed pain in my shoulder and what feels like a dead arm. 
 

Im hoping it's hormonal / stress related but can't help but worry although I have started eating again. 
 

All you ladies are so positive so I'm drawing comfort from the fact that if it isn't good news it's not the end 

Thanks for reading 

Take care 

Sarah age 44

Hi Sarah,

Try not to worry about the 'suspected breast cancer' on the referral form. This is normal, although you'll find that only 1 person in every 8 referred will get a cancer diagnosis.It is also a fact that breast pain seldom accompanys a cancer diagnosis.

It is only natural to be worried, as there is so much of the unknown surrounding you at the moment. Regardless of the outcome, you will feel better once you know.

I had my first diagnosis 11 years ago and, was stupid enough to let my imagination run away with me. I had a second diagnosis the following year and have since senn my 2 teenage children go to university, graduate, marry and have families of their own - all the milestones that I'd convinced myself that I'd never see. I'm not saying that it was easy, but I have come through and still live a busy and fulfilled life.

I sincerely hope that all goes well for you on 15th. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Fingers crossed for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Sophie,

You have been fortunate to get an appointment with the NHS so quickly. We are all scared at this stage, but it becomes easier once you know either way. Steer clear of the internet if you can, as this will only scare you more for no good reason.

I hope that all goes well for you on Friday. Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Sophie,

You have been fortunate to get an appointment with the NHS so quickly. We are all scared at this stage, but it becomes easier once you know either way. Steer clear of the internet if you can, as this will only scare you more for no good reason.

I hope that all goes well for you on Friday. Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

So - I hope this helps anyone but todayI had my breast clinic after a big lump found. I had two mammograms then an ultrasound. Was terrifying but it dd not hurt at all having the mammograms -just a pinch really.  - turns out doctor thought it was a cyst but after the ultrasound it seemed I was cancer free and just have a huge lump due to horrmones and age apparently and odd boob mass. So!! i thought I would share. Was a terrifying 3 hours in hospital but this was a happy day. They were a bit confused it was not a cyst or anythng but the pain they said should go away in two weeks.

I hope this may help someone who also has a 4 cm lump.. it may not be cancerous - have  a not stressful view  -it maynot be what you think and if it is it will sill be okxx

Hi Sophie,

Thank you so much for this update. I am delighted to hear that all is clear. Any lump is worrying, but I expect that you feel mightily relieved today.

Stay well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello thought I would update had a mammogram and ultrasound yesterday and discovered I have 10 cysts, 6 in one breast, 4 in the other.. but nothing more than that.  So relieved. Wishing everyone still waiting for a maamogrqn the best of luck for good news. 

Louise

Hi Louise,

Many thanks for the update. I am delighted to hear that your results showed no more than cysts. Are you going to do anything with them or just going to leave things be?

I'm so glad that it was good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

I'm "pleased" to have found this thread, and to see other people going through the anxiety of an official referral (which sounds awful but I mean I feel less anxious and alone!)

I check my breasts regularly but it was actually my partner who found a little lump, just to the right of my nipple on my left breast. It's small - about the size of a tic tac - and must be pretty new. The Dr saw me yesterday morning and referred me to the terrifyingly named suspected cancer clinic on 18th feb - she said not to worry and she basically refers everyone who has a lump - and now I am analysing every one of the few sentences she said in our brief appointment, totally pointlessly. I really need to stay off of google - when I do I feel much better. I haven't told many people as I want to distract myself and act normally until I know anything - but after a day I am already finding it difficult!

Evening all,

I've been following this thread the past few days & reading some pretty similar stories but above all the same anxious feeling others are also going through or have been through.

I went to my Drs on Tuesday for a breast check as I've been experiencing some sharp pain in my left breast for some time but more so since around October & most days. I must admit I don't really check myself & after finding out my cousin has had to be referred it gave me a bit of a kick up them bum to ring the Drs & just get myself checked. Last weekend after actually checking myself I thought I could feel 2 small almost stone like feeling lumps in the places I usually get the shooting pain. The pain can vary from shooting to almost tingling or burning feeling & often an itchy nipple. In 2011 I had surgery on this nipple as it was leaking but surely 10 years later that wouldn't cause problems? The other pains attached seem to be in my shoulder, shoulder blade & under my ribs? The Dr said I have very glandular breasts & suggested I get checked at the breast clinic but said with Covid to expect delays & they may suggest I just go back to her in around 6 weeks & if there's anything in between to go straight back. On Thursday I had missed a call from my hospital whilst at work & they left a message that said it was urgent & for me to call back ASAP which obviously put fear in me. They've got me booked in for an appointment at the breast clinic on the 16th & my letter arrived in the post yesterday with the words urgent, again making me very anxious.

Now I had surgery last May for a large ovarian cyst which was more complicated than expected but benign & obviously looking at Dr Google there seems to be a connection between ovarian cysts & breast cancer? I'm convinced if anything it's a cyst or cysts as along with the ovarian cyst there were 2 others & I've had 2 on my back. I told the Dr I feel like a walking cyst, lol!

 I'm 37 & I've only mentioned some of my worries to my partner but he obviously won't be able to attend the appointment with me. I'm usually a very laid back person but feeling so anxious with everything now.

Has anyone had similar symptoms or have any advice please?

Emma

xx

Hi Emma,

A very warm welcome to our forum.  I am sorry to hear about your worries. As you've already discovered by reading some posts here, this is not unusual. There are so many unknowns at this stage that our brains tend to go into overdrive and take us to all sorts of dark places.

Please don't distress yourself further by the 'urgent' letter that you've received. Most people receive an urgent referral when there is any possibility of cancer. With a breast referral this means that we are usually seen within 2 weeks from referral. Despite the pandemic, most of us are still being seen within this time frame.

I am not a doctor, but I know that breast pain doesn't often accompany a cancer diagnosis, so I sincerely hope that you're right and that these are just more cysts.

Try to keep yourself busy meantime to distract yourself from the wait and try to stay away from consulting 'Dr Google', as this will only scare you further.

Do please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

Thank you so much for your reply & can I just say you're an inspiration! Always replying to people's concerns, so caring & thoughtful when you're going through so much yourself! You're a star! 
 

I have read that it doesn't usually come with pain, I'm only concerned because it's just that left side which just happens to be the side I had the op on my nipple. Also the side the large ovarian cyst was on & I ended up having that ovary & Fallopian tube removed. It's probably all just coincidence though & I do like to overthink things.

 I'm going to try my best to stay positive & busy as there's absolutely nothing I can do before the 16th other than drive myself mad with it & make myself ill. So I'll try & help my 17 year old son as it's apprenticeship week according to school so that will keep me busy finding ideas & probably drive him mental, haha!
 

Thank you again, I really appreciate your support & will keep you informed.

Kind regards,

Emma

xx

Hi Emma,

Thank you for your very kind words. Helping your son during apprenticeship week sounds like the ideal way to keep yourself busy during this wait, which, I know, seems interminable.

I am hoping and praying for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you so much Jolamine,

I will be in touch & hope you are keeping well.

kind regards,

Emma 

xx