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

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 

HI R-kath,

I have just come across your repy to Jujumama and see that you were not very happy with the outcome of your phone call today. Please try not to let this worry you. All clinics work in different ways. Some act as a one-stop shop where tests are taken and results given as soon as possible. Other clinics take tests at the time of consultation, but it can take 1-2 weeks to get the results back. Yet other clinics make seperate appointments for tests, so this takes a little longer to get your final diagnosis.

At a guess, the receptionist doesn't expect that you'll need any tests, because you have not been referred on an urgent referral. However, if the consultant is at all concerned, I am sure that s/he will get some done for you.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hey everyone 

sorry I haven't been back on. I was trying to just forget about the results and hope they just came. I had the mammogram 5 weeks ago on Sunday and the doctor never got the results back. I really wasn't worried about it as I genuinely taught I was ok but today I woke up to an appointment for an ultrasound. I feel sick today because when I went to the breast clinic she told me that the lump I found was nothing. I'm staying away from google because that *** just isn't good but I pray the hospital send the result back quicker this time. I have the ultrasound in 2 weeks please god it's nothing to worry about 

Afternoon, 

I am just on my way home from the clinic appointment now and the consultant actually found 3 lumps which is a little worrying however she tried her best to reassure me. I have been referred for an ultrasound - so hopefully I'll get that appoinment soon, I was told I will likely have biopsies too, so to be prepared. 

Feeling a lot less anxious now I have been referred for imaging - I think I was worrying that because of my age I would not be taken seriously. 

Banning myself googling about  this from now on! 

All the best 

R x

Thinking and sending positive vibes to you both [@cupcakes51]‍ and [@R-kath]‍ and well all who are waiting for appointments/results 

x

Thinking and sending positive vibes to you both [@cupcakes51]‍ and [@R-kath]‍ and well all who are waiting for appointments/results 

x

Hi Fayevictoriam,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am so sorry to hear that you are playing the waiting game too. This is always a worrying time, especially when there is a family history of breast cancer. You will find the staff at these clinics are usually very helpful and understanding. 

I sincerely hope that all turns out well for you and that you don't have the BRCA gene. I am also delighted to hear that your mum is still doing well.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi I'm 19 years old and just recently had a baby 5 months ago I rang my gp this morning after finally getting the courage my left breast just feels like blocked and full and I have abit of acing in it when I touch a certain area and burning sensation but I don't no if it's me irritating my breast constantly try feeling it. and the gp invited me in today I was seen a couple of hours ago he felt a little something but never said if it was a lump as he didn't feel like a marble or like pea size shape my Nan had breast cancer so I'm just thinking all bad , anyways so he thought it might of been my milk ducts or something to do with my hormones I was abit blank as I don't really understand I was just thinking the worse of the worse so he has referred me to get my breast checked  .. I have really bad health anxiety and dr Google is my best pal which dosnt help .... and I'm just so panicked and I don't no why and feel like I'm making my symptoms worse if that makes sence  but I keep saying in my head don't yet worry about what has not yet happened. just come in hear for a piece of mind reading through everyone's journey

kind regards molly xx
 

Hi Molyyy,

A very warm welcome to our forum. There are a number of hormonal changes when you have a baby, so your GP could well be right. You will also find that not that many people of your age get breast cancer, although it can happen. Your GP has done the right thing by sending you to the breast clinic, as this is the only way to be certain that there is nothing untoward there. 

Of all the people referred to the breast clinic, only 1 person in every 8 will get a cancer diagnosis, so the odds still look good for you. Just because you Nan had breast cancer doesn't mean that you will get it too. The worst thing you can do at the moment is to consult 'Dr Google'. Much of the information there is out of date, poorly researched and incorrect and, will end up scaring the wits out of you. We always advise people to stay away from the internet until they know exactly what they are dealing with.

You should get your appointment through within about 2 weeks and I sincerely hope that it all goes well. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi jolamone 

thank you for you reply & yes hopefully it all goes well I just can't help but think the worse even though he's sent me for piece of mind I feel very dramatic but don't handle situations well like this I will keep all updated enjoy your evening xx

Hi Mollyyy,

We all feel scared at this time. Fear of the unknown is a very real emotion, but signs are looking positive for you. Try to keep yourself busy until you get your appointment, as this helps to pass the time. Remember that it isn't cancer until you're told that it's cancer.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi ladies I have been reading all your posts on here and find them all very help , I have my first appointment at breast clinic tomorrow morning and have myself worried sick like everyone else, the worst two weeks haven't slept with worry. I was just wondering if anyone else has had similar symptoms to me so about 4 weeks ago I noticed that one boob had got bigger than the other and dropped down lower so nipples are now one facing forward and the other facing the ground at first I wasn't worried as thought may be my nearly 52 anyway two weeks later I was lying up in bed and felt lump in left breast but it's deep inside and feel it more if I rub my fingers across my breast above the nipple . Then went to GP and she referred me urgently. If anyone similar can you let me know please. Many thanks x

Hi Rjkmam,

A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry to hear why you've joined us. I am not a doctor and can only reply to you from my own experience. Most of us find that one breast is bigger than the other and it doesn't give us cause for concern. Not all lumps are cancerous, so please try not to panic. It is normal to get an urgent referral for most lumps. This is because, if it turns out to be breast cancer, the sooner it is treated the better the outcome usually is. You will usually get your referral within about 2 weeks.

Many of us attend the breast clinic with breast lumps, but only about 1 person in every 8 referred will get a cancer diagnosis. I know that this is always a scary time, but try to remember that it isn't cancer until you're told that this is so.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello Rjkmam and all,

I have also been given a 2 week referall after the doctor found a lump in my breast yesterday, that accompanied with a strange itching feeling in my nipple has me worried and convinced it's cancer.

Don't know how I am going to get through this time waiting for the appointment, it's all I can think about and feel sick. I have a young son.

L

Hi Lou,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear that you are so worried. Nearly all of us get into a state whilst waiting for our breast clinic appointments or results. Try not to worry, as not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts.

Try to find something to preoccupy you for the next couple of weeks and, whatever you do stay away from consulting 'Dr Google', as this will only scare you further.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you Jolamine, I have not told anyone yet other than my husband as I do not want anyone else to worry like I am, so i am bottling it all up.

I will keep in touch when I get my appt date etc.

Lou