Been referred to Breast Clinic and freaking out...

Hi all, 

I'm sure there are lots of messages like this one, but I thought I'd post a message anyway as it seems like a good place to vent my worry without unnecessarily alarming other people in my life!

I went to see my GP yesterday as my right breast has been feeling a bit tender lately. My breasts are quite naturally lumpy but recently it's felt like there is an area of my breast which is more solid than the rest. I don't know why, but I kind of expected the GP to say it was nothing and for me to carry on with the rest of my day as usual. Instead as soon as I mentioned slight pain in my right breast her general demeanour went from bright and breezy to serious and concerned. She asked me if I had any family history of breast cancer, and I told her my grandmother had it (she passed away from breast and lung cancer aged 68). I also remembered after my appointment that my mother's cousin had it, although my mum and aunt are fine (at least so far). She examined my breast, and although I hadn't actually mentioned finding any lumps she immediately found the place that I had identified myself. She said she wasn't sure if it was a lump, or just a nodule as my breasts are quite nodular, but she would refer me to a breast clinic for screening. She would recommend all available tests. She said she thought they would want to see me "very quickly". So as you can imagine I left the GP surgery alarmed. I also got a call from the hospital the same day (yesterday) to arrange an appointment - which also alarmed me as I figured they had prioritised me because they suspected it was cancer.

The appointment is for a week on monday. I'm not sure if I can wait that long because psychologically I'm already finding it very tough.

This year is a very big one for me as I'm getting married in three months. The wedding is abroad, everything's already organised, many people have booked their flights and accommodation. Me and my fiance are planning our life together. I can't imagine everything being disrupted by a breast cancer diagnosis. 

More than that, I can't imagine trying to face breast cancer if that is the diagnosis. The GP said I should try not to worry, and that most cases are benign, but I am upset that I was referred so quickly. 

I tried to talk to my Mum about it, especially as my stepdad is a retired doctor, but both of them immediately dismissed it by saying if I have any pain the likelihood is that it's not anything serious. My boyfriend is being very understanding, and saying that if it's serious we can postpone the wedding, we'll do whatever it takes. But I already have a lot going on in my life and I'm struggling to imagine the possibility, however unlikely, of taking breast cancer on as well. 

How do people cope with this? I don't want to mention it to friends as I don't have a diagnosis of anything yet. But at the same time I find it hard to socialise etc as normal with this dread hanging over me.

Sophie x

Parents
  • 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 Jolamine, Thanks so much for your quick response and reassuring words it's great to have people to talk to about this as I've not really mentioned to anyone because everyone has so much going on just now I dont want to add to it and dont want my son to find out either so thank you for being there J x
  • 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 Jujumama,

    I just wondered how you're doing. Has the itch in the left breast settled at all?

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Reply Children
  • Hi Jolamine

    I believe it has settled a bit, I've had a busy few days as it was my daughters 21st birthday on Saturday and we had  few people drop round for an outside socially distant dropping off of gifts which was strange but lovely so that took my mind of things for a while but I do think it has eased quite a bit so I'm really really hoping that's a good sign  it's certainly no worse and theres also been no further discharge which is also encouraging. I need to call GP tomorrow for results of blood tests she did last week so hoping nothing comes from that either. 

    I can't tell you how much your comment about not having cancer til they tell you you have cancer has helped me it really helped me get some perspective and calm down a bit so thank you so much for that. 

    Jx

  •  

     Hi Jujumama,

    This sounds hopeful. I'm delighted to hear that my comment helped you to get some perspective and calm down a little - it is so difficult to find anything to say to people that might help at this stage. I hope that the results of your blood tests are good too.

    I am so glad to hear that your daughter's 21st went well on Saturday - what a pity to have such a memorable occasion during such strange and restrictive times.

    Plase keep in touch and let us know the eventual outcome. I am keeping my fingers crossed for good news!

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx