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

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

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 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

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

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