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 Underredskies,

A very warm welcome to the forum. I am glad to hear that you have got your appointment through so quickly. It is reassuring that your GP felt that this was more like a cyst. It is possible that this new lump you've found is just another cyst. It is not unusual fo us to imagine things because of anxiety. 

Your husband may well be turned away because of the Covid rules, but try not to let this upset you. If there was the slightest suspicion of cancer, you might be given scans and a biopsy. There usually follows an anxious 1-2 week wait for the results, so you are more likely to get a full diagnosis at your second appointment and, you can usually bring someone with you when you get these. If they are just cysts, your consultant may be able to confirm this on your first visit, but not always.

I hope that it 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 first time on here .and am absolutely terrified I have breast cancer or somewhere else. I went to doctors as after a week of itchy nipple and the areola around it was red and have a burning sensation aswel as my right breast been much bigger to what it normally is . My mam died of cancer in the womb and breast cancer when I was only a baby . .I don't know family history much as dad died two when I was baby . . I just don't want to leave my 4 children and grandchildren  . And I've been remarried 4 years ago .so am all happy and settled and now am just crying and carnt stop thinking the worse . I have my appointment on Saturday 27th .10 days after seeing the Dr.  When she checked me .she said she asnt seen anything like it .but checked me and she couldn't find any lumps . But did not like the look of my breasts.  Am 59 years old .so big 60 birthday coming soon .am so scared. 

Thanks so much for your kind words, which really helped settle my nerves.

I had my breast clinic appointment today. They have confirmed that the first lump is either a cyst or prominent modular breast tissue, and not anything to worry about. I've to go back for an ultrasound to confirm which it is, and if it's cyst have it drained.

The second lump was in fact nothing, I was just freaking myself out due to all the stress.

Good luck to everyone else, will be thinking of you all.

Hi underredskies  am so pleased that you had a good results  and the big weight as been lifted off your shoulders.  Now you can put this all behind you and enjoy life .take care .such good news .x

Hi Underredskies

So delighted for you that your tests showed nothing sinister, what a relief that must be!!! Thanks for sharing your results - gives me hope for a similar outcome. Take care and keep well.

Jx

Hi Deekd

Oh I feel for you, it's such a worrying time isn't it? I guess theres no point saying try not to worry, how can we not? but I would say stay away from google, try to keep busy and something Jolamine said to me was -you dont have cancer til they tell you you have cancer - really wise words that have helped me try to keep from spiralling.  Your appointment isnt too long away now, I've another 2 and a bit weeks to wait, so  one way or another you will soon find out what you're dealing with and it sounds like no matter what, you have a lovely family behind you who will I'm sure support you all the way. I think as women there are so many things that go on in our bodies that we automatically think are going to be cancer especially when we've had experience of it in our family and so often it's not.

Stay strong and be gentle with yourself, keeping everything crossed for you for Saturday.

Jx

Thank you so much jujumama.  For the loverly words.  Am trying my best to be positive. As I want to go and see my 2 baby grandaughters in Scotland when we allowed.  I have Google and I think I've got everything so will be keeping off that from now on 

And yes wise words what jolamine as said. So will keep that in mind. And thank you again .xx

Hi Underredskies,

Phew! This is fantastic news - I bet that you feel relieved. I am glad to hear that you are being sent for an ultrasound to confirm whether it's a cyst or prominent modular breast tissue and hope that all goes well from here on. 

Please keep in touch and let us know which it turns out to be.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Deekd,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear about your symptoms and, just want to reassure you that most of us are scared when we get news like this. I lost both parents to cancer, so thought the worst and, I couldn't stop crying when I was diagnosed, although I am not at all like this normally. It sounds as if you have had a hard life and it seems so unfair to be told this news just when things seem  to going well for you.

Try to hold on to the fact that only 1 person in 8 who attend the breast clinic will get a cancer diagnosis and, even if you do have it, it is much more treatable now than it was a few years ao. I have 2 children and my immediate thoughts flew to them at the start. I have since had 2 bouts of cancer in the past 11 years. I have seen both of my children go to university, graduate, get gainful employment, marry and have children of their on. I was the same age as you when first diagnosed and have since seen my 60th and then my 70th birthdays and, I sincerely hope that you will do the same.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Deekd,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear about your symptoms and, just want to reassure you that most of us are scared when we get news like this. I lost both parents to cancer, so thought the worst and, I couldn't stop crying when I was diagnosed, although I am not at all like this normally. It sounds as if you have had a hard life and it seems so unfair to be told this news just when things seem  to going well for you.

Try to hold on to the fact that only 1 person in 8 who attend the breast clinic will get a cancer diagnosis and, even if you do have it, it is much more treatable now than it was a few years ao. I have 2 children and my immediate thoughts flew to them at the start. I have since had 2 bouts of cancer in the past 11 years. I have seen both of my children go to university, graduate, get gainful employment, marry and have children of their on. I was the same age as you when first diagnosed and have since seen my 60th and then my 70th birthdays and, I sincerely hope that you will do the same.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you so much jolamine. Yours words mean so much .I have read all your comments and you have reassured a lot of people .  I am trying to keep positive. Which is had .but I will let you know what happens on Saturday  thank you again.  .and so happy you celebrated your 70th birthday.  Take care and thank you again .x

Hi Deekd,

You are doing the right thing in trying to stay positive. I know that we all have to be realistic, but positivity is a tremendous help in getting through this.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Good evening all, I have been reading through all the posts from the beginning to the end. I feel more scared . I have had a lump on my right breast for some time was small and I used to have to really search for it so I left it. Recently past 2 weeks been getting breast pain and noticed the lump was easy to find and is hard and large. I went to my GP surgery today and she just seems very quite and said I'm referring you to the 2 week waiting list for the breast clinic. Since the appointment I'm in real bad pain in my boob from where she was pushing so hard on it. When asked about symptoms I did explain I have keep having random rashes on my chest for no reason but never thought nothing of it. Anyone else experienced a rash breast pain and lump. Really worried and feel sick. If I touch the lump I right away feel like I'm gonna vomit and in so much pain is this normal. Also have several enlarged lymph nodes on my neck which have been there some time but are normal when was scanned a few weeks back. Thank you in advance 

Hi Michelle-Them,

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling more scared after reading some of the posts on our forum. Many people find it even more scary when they don't know what to expect, so we tend to tell things as they are in the hopes of making things less scary. Try not to touch your lump too often, as this will only make it more painful. If you can manage this, the pain should gradually die down.

It is reassuring to know that the lymph nodes in your neck are normal and nothing to worry about. Your appointment may seem ages away, but it's not really. You will find that if you phone your consultant's secretary once and tell her that you are willing to accept any cancellation, she will contact you if one comes up. In the meantime try to keep yourself busy to distract yourself from the wait.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you I am very busy which is good but still finding time to think . I'm telling myself it's a cyst and trying to drill that into my head . Thaks so much for you reply I am going to call today and ask for cancellations. Will keep you posted once I have been. Take care 

Hi Michelle-Them,

I sincerely hope that it is a benign cyst. I hope that you manage to make some headway with the breast clinic today.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi everyone I went to my GP today in regards to my breast size difference and a lump on my bigger breast. My GP felt and said that it was quite big the lump so it couldn't be a cyst. I'm now getting referred to the breast clinic for an ultrasound and biopsy. I'm really scared and just keep thinking the worst? I don't think this is gonna end well :( 

does anyone have any adivce or help? 

Hi Sarah,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am so sorry to hear what your GP told you today and I sincerely hope that she is wrong. You will normally be seen at the breast clinic within 2 weeks. 
It is not unusual to find your emotions all over the place during this wait. Many of us become tearful and we nearly always seem to expect the worst - fortunately, this is seldom the outcome. 
The best thing that you can do at the moment is to try and keep yourself busy to try and help the time pass more quickly. This doesn't have to be all work. Do you have any hobbies or pastimes that you could get stuck into?

Try to remind yourself that 'it isn't cancer until you're told that it is.' We always advise people to steer clear of Google, as this will only scare you further and serve no useful purpose.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

hi im new here ive been reading some of the posts. im 43 and i found a lump under my right armpit a few months ago around december maybe im not great with times. it was realy small at first i had to realy dig deep to feel it. anyways ive been keeping an eye on it over the months and its grew to what i can feel maybe the size of a grape cut in half sorry its the only way i can describe it. its silly realy i no i shouldnt have left it so long i think because it hasnt bern giving ne any pain but on the 14th of may i was booking an appt for routine bloods an mentioned it to the secertary to see if i should see a dr a few hours later dr rang to see me next day. she checked my breasts an coller bones first she didnt feel any lumps then she checked my armpit she found the lump so she referred me to the breast clinic they rang me 2 days later with appt for 1st of june. obviously im worried ive 4 kids at home the youngest being 2. i havnt told anyone about my appt only my husband hes more worried than me altho i do worry at times ive lost a few family members over the years to all different types of cancer on both my mum an dads side of family but reading thru these post has helped me be less anxious about things on tuesday and im hoping for the best 

sorry this post is so long x

Hi Faith,

A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry to hear why you've joined us. It is always a worrying time when you are waiting to be seen at the breast clinic. I'm glad to hear that you have told your husband, so that at least you can discuss how you feel with him. My hubby was really worried when I was first diagnosed too. I had a second bout of breast cancer the following year.

I have lost a number of family and close friends to cancer, including both of my parents, so I naturally thought the worst at the beginning - most people do this. They also naturally worry about their children. I certainly did, but  in the last 12 years I have been fortunate enough to see my children leave school, go to university, graduate, find gainful employment, get married and have families of their own.

Only 1 person in every 8 who attend the breast clinic will get a cancer diagnosis, so here's hoping that you will be one of the lucky ones. I shall be thinking of you on Tuesday and am keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx