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 Cupcakes,

You must have been climbing the walls waiting so long for your mammogram results. I am sorry to hear that you need an ultrasound. If you still haven't got the results of your mammogram, I wonder if they're mislaid and they are doing the ultrasound to make sure? - I am keeping my fingers crossed for you!

When you have your ultrasound don't forget to ask when you'll get the results before you leave. Here's hoping that you get it sooner than last time.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks for the reply Jolamine

Heads all over the place. I might ring the doctors tomorrow and see if they got them and maybe have a word with the doctor. Feel sick with worry over it and I know it's actually nothing to worry about. Please god the next 2 weeks go by quick 

Hi Cupcakes,

It would be worth having a word with your doctor to see if they've got your results by now - they certainly should have. If not, ask her to chase them up. If you're worried, which of course you are, you could also ask why you are being referred for the ultrasound.

Try to keep yourself busy meanwhile, as it helps the time to pass. 

Thinking of you and hoping that all turns out well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

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

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

Hi Lou,

Many of us wait until we get a diagnosis before telling family and friends. Unfortunately, this adds to our stress in some ways.

I look forward to hearing when you get your appointment and hope that it comes through for you soon.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi sorry to jump in on this post, I too am waiting for my referral I got my letter through and it's for the 4th may! thats a whole month from first been seen I know covid has delayed things but surely this isn't right, I can't wait a month I worried sick as it is.

claire x

Hello Claire,

I am still waiting to hear when my appt will be for further testing, a month sounds like an awfully long time and I can understand how worried you are. I can't think of anything else right now apart from what is going on in my breast.

good luck to you

Lou

Exactly! Every new ache and pain I keep getting elsewhere I'm putting 2+2 together and making 6 thinking the worse, I'm contemplating going down the private route is this something anyone has done? 

The private route did cross my mind but think I will wait until early next week and see what I get offered from my local hospital. I imagine it's pricey!

Try and have a restful weekend and keep distracted that is my plan...

Lou x

Hi All 

I did investigate the private route but it's pricey and the wait time for me is just as long. 
 

Had my appointment through for Monday morning, so I have a feeling this weekend will drag. 
 

As Jolamine has said, 1 in 8 get a diognosis and it's only cancer if they say it's cancer, not because google says it is. Hope you all stay positive, keep off google, and I know how difficult it is; and my thoughts are going all over the shop. So to keep my mind occupied I am going to spend the weekend in the garden, and watching as many cheesy 80s films as I can find.
Faye x

Thank you, I'm off work this weekend so will try keep my mind elsewhere, can I ask what your symptoms are if you somt

mind me asking. 
 

Good luck for Monday xxx