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 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 first time posting been reading this thread and has been really helpful reading other people's stories. I found a lump under my left armpit about 8 weeks ago , didn't think anything of it as I am prone to ingrown hairs. Any way the lump wasn't going away then I got a kidney infection 7th feb which wiped me off feet so when I spoke to the dr about this I mentioned my lump and got a face to face appointment which was on Tuesday she examined my breasts and she said there was definitely a lump under my armpit and she could feel a lump under my nipple and my nipple is inverted red and inflamed, she has referred me to the breast clinic. I haven't been feeling well for a good few weeks now, dull painful ache in my left leg and arm, extremely tired no energy at all hot flushes nausea and a burning sensation in my nipple. I'm not sure if this is all linked I've had blood tests today and just awaiting my clinic appointment gelling really anxious and scared. I'm 37 and have 3 kids 17, 15 and 12. xx

Hi Peanut,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear about your symptoms, but you are doing the right thing in getting them checked out. Waiting for your clinic appointment and then waiting for a diagnosis are some of the worst times of your life. There are so many unknowns that our minds are all over the place. It usually only takes 2 weeks to get seen at the breast clinic, although it can be slightly longer in some areas, due to the current pandemic. 

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 11 years and, am currently under investigation for a third. The fear never goes away. I had 2 teenagers when I was first diagnosed and my immediate thoughts fled to them. Since then I have seen them go to university, graduate, get gainful employment, marry and have children of their own.  Breast cancer is one of the more treatable forms of cancer, so try not to panic. 

Try to keep yourself busy in the meantime to take your mind off the wait.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Peanut

Oh gosh what a worrying time for you, such a lot to think about and such a young family. I completely understand and empathise it's a horrible horrible time and there's no point saying dont worry because I know I'm finding that difficult too until I get to the clinic on 11th March.  I found Jolamines words "you dont have cancer til they tell you you have cancer" really helpful to try to keep perspective and hope and I'm trying to move those thoughts to the back of my head, keeping busy and staying away from google!  I think for me what happened was the more I read the more I convinced myself I had all the other symptoms that they describe with breast cancer, I never felt particularly tired, but suddenly I was, I started to feel pain in my ribs, my back I completely spiralled.  The mind is a powerful thing and it can take you to very dark places, I'm trying my best to stay out of then for now. 

Sending love, strength and a virtual hug to get through these difficult days 

Jx

Hi Peanut 

Wondered how you were doing, hope you're managing to keep busy as best you can 

J X

Hi 

I still haven't had my appointment through I have to call back on Tuesday as there is delays due to COVID. I'm still not feeling well and had to go to hospital for some more tests, they examined my breasts and could feel the lumps they could definitely feel them but they are unable to quicken the process and said I just need to wait for my appointment I'm trying not to think about it too much but it's still a very worrying time xxx Thankbyou for taking the time to ask ️ Xxx 

Hi

I'm so sorry I hope I didn't upset you further by bringing it up I'm going this Thursday  and the wait is awful and you came to my mind I wondered if youd heard anything and how you were.

You'll be in my thoughts. Stay strong 

Jx

Hi Peanut,

Four weeks appears to be a long time to wait for a breast clinic appointment - you must be climbing the walls! It certainly seems worth contacting your GP to see if she can extradite matters. Without a consultant's name you will find it difficult to see where you are on the waiting list at the hospital.

I sincerely hope that you get seen soon. Please let us know how you get on on Tuesday.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jujumama,

I'm delighted that your appointment is getting nearer. I shall be thinking of you on Thursday and, hope that all goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jujumama,

I'm delighted that your appointment is getting nearer. I shall be thinking of you on Thursday and, hope that all goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Jolamine

Thank you that's very kind. Thursday can't come quickly enough its been a very long 4 weeks waiting every day feels like a week and the longer I wait the more anxious I'm becoming. I was relieved that I didnt feel any lumps but now I have convinced myself thats because I have inflammatory breast cancer.  Of course if I'm going to have it I'm going to have the worst kind !! I'm totally spiralling again. Going to go for a long walk today and try to clear my head and keep repeating your wise words in my head.. 

Thanks for your message and I'll let you know how it goes on Thursday 

J x

Ho Jujumama,

I am sorry to hear that your thoughts are spiralling out of control again and hope that your walk today helped to calm you down a little. You've had so long to wait that I'm not surprised that you are feeling like this. You are almost there, so don't crumble now.

I look forward to hearing how Thursday goes - only 3 more sleeps!

I shall be thinking of you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine and all

I'm delighted to say that at my clinic appointment yesterday I was diagnosed with nothing more than nipple eczema. 

I can't tell you how relieved I am, I was utterly convinced that there was a more sinister cause of my issues.  It's not lost on me how very fortunate I am and I am so very thankful. 

My experience at the clinic was excellent, everyone was so lovely and examinations and tests (mammogram and ultrasound) were thorough so I feel so reassured that there is nothing else to be concerned about. 

I can't  thank you enough for your support and words of comfort and encouragement if there is ever anything I can do to help or anyone ever wants to ask anything about my experience please get in touch. I wish you health, happiness and love. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Much love

Jx 

Hi Jujumama,

This is fantastic news. I am so relieved for you. It is also great to hear that your experience at the clinic was a good one and, that you feel that your scans were thorough and, gave you the reassurance you need to put this experience behind you and move on.

I couldn't be happier for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Jolamine

I am truly blessed and I intend to ensure every moment counts from now on. 

Thanks again, what you do on here can't be under estimated you provide excellent advice,  reassurance, strength and support to women in what is the most stressful and worrying times I will never forget your words of comfort. I hope things work out for you this time round and you continue to enjoy life with your family.

Much love 

Jx

Wonderful news. I am so happy for you.

Stay strong

Hi Jujumama,

Thank you so much for those kind words. I suffered such angst when first diagnosed, as I was comparing my breast cancer to that which my Mum had 20 years earlier. She had a terrible experience and I expected mine to be the same.

I am so happy to say that there is just no comparison between diagnosis, treatment and after care for breast cancer now and then. I got such comfort and support from people on this forum that I couldn't but help to try and repay that debt. Over the years I have got far more out of the forum than I can ever hope to repay.

A fright like this makes you realise how tenuous life is and, I hope that you continue to make the most of every moment you have.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hey everyone 

Had my mammogram 2 weeks ago and I still haven't heard anything yet. Is that normal. 
 

Hi Cupcakes,

I'm sorry that you haven't heard anything yet. It seems to depend upon where in the country you live, as to how quickly you get your results. Were you told when your results would be back when you had your scan.  I was told 2 weeks for my brain CT and I got the results by post just after that, so hopefully yours should be in soon. You could always phone your consultant's secretary to see if they are back yet.

Please let us know how you get on. Here's hoping for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Morning all, 

I have read every post on this thread. 

I am 27 and found a lump in my breast last week. Went straight to the GP who was very nonchalant and was pretty sure it was nothing to worry about but she would refer me non-urgently to breast clinic to be sure. 

I have my appointment next week on the 7th April but not till 4:30 in the afternoon. I don't really know what to expect - especially given my appointment is so late in the day - hoping to have tests done on the same day but worried this won't happen as the appointment is so late. I work full time in a hospital as a healthcare professional so I find it really hard to get time off and also to answer my phone , to add to that I've been referred to a hospital which is almost an hour away -  which is adding to the stress. 

I thought I was doing okay, and then yesterday I started catastrophosing and unfortunately consulting dr google. Finding it comforting to read stories from others in the same situation. My boyfriend unfortunately isn't very helpful - just keeps trying to reassure me it will be nothing to worry about - but what if it is. 

R x