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 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

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 Ladies 

Just thought I would update you, finally had the call today and my appointment at the breast clinic is on Monday 15/3 it's been a long stressful wait. 
 

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 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

Hi R-Kath

It's such a worrying time and I can sense your fears and frustrations both of which are completely understandable. Firstly I'd say stay away from Google. I didnt and it honestly sent me spiralling, I dont know why but our brains (well mine anyway) only seem to focus on the negative things that we read. There can be a list of 10 POSSIBLE symptoms of breast cancer I had one and that's all I could focus on not that I didnt have the other 9. We do it I think because we want to understand and educate ourselves but that's not the best way. 

In terms of your clinic visit I can only tell you my experience but I dont imagine the time of your appointment will affect how you are treated. I had such a positive experience, everyone was so lovely, kind and understanding of my fears. I initially saw the consultant who examined me I then went for a mammogram followed by an ultrasound (this varies depending on your symptoms I think) I then went back to the consultant who gave me the results. Thankully I didnt need biopsies or anything I think if you do need that this results would come at a later date. Inwas there around an hour or so all in all. 

Re your boyfriend not helping I think it must be so difficult for those who care for us they dont really know what to say they are worried too and want to reassure us but saying itll be fine can just be irritating cant it? I called Breast Cancer Now and spoke to a nurse on there who was very reassuring but factual which helped me, maybe you could do something like that if you felt it would help? 

It's so difficult waiting for your appointment but you're almost there, try to keep busy if you can and remember there are so many other things that could be the cause of your lump that are not sinister at all. 

I'll be thinking about you, hoping all goes well please let us know how you get on.

Take care 

Jx

Hello 

First time posting to anything like this, but I too have been referred to a Breast Clinic. I am a 32 year old single mom. My appointment is a week on Monday. I found some "bumpy" bits around my left breast, saw a GP and was referred. 
 

My mom has had BC twice and has the BRCA2 gene. I am yet to be tested but my older brother has been tested and he also have the gene. 

I don't know if it's psychological but ever since my GP appointment my boob has had this constant ache. 

unfortunatly my mom find it's difficult to talk about what she went through, happy to report she is doing fine now, but she doesn't open up to me about it so I'm a deer in headlights. 
 

I am quite positive and keep telling myself I'm fine, and I'm sure I am. 

Just want to say so may inspiring people on here. 
Hope everyone is well. 
Faye 

Thank you for your reply, and reassuring words. 

Had lovely easter break and then decided the call the hospital this morning to get a bit more information about my appointment tomorrow as there no was no mention of investigations etc.. on my letter.

They said it was unlikely I would have any investigations on the day and to just expect to see  consultant. Feeling even worse now knowing that after tomorrow I will be no further forward in the waiting game, 

R x