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,

I hope that all goes well with your ultrasound tomorrow. Try not to overthink things. It is normal to have an ultrasound and/or a biopsy after a mammogram. Try to steer clear of google, as it nearly always makes things look much darker than they actually are.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hey Jolamine

so had the scan today thankfully they said it doesn't look like anything but have to send it back to the team to see what they say. Thanks for all your help and replies 

Hi Cupcakes.

This sounds very hopeful. Please keep in touch and let us know what the team have to say.

Keeping our fingers crossed for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you ! 

I had my ultrasound and biopsies on Thursday, now just the wait for results !

The biopsy was a painless and efficient experience for me and the staff were amazing. I'm more stressed about removing my dressing, still haven't built up the courage to do this ( although it's definitely time !)

Thinking of everyone on this thread. I am trying to keep busy whilst awaiting results - helps that the weather is better and being able to see friends again,

R x

Hello 

Glad to hear the biopsy experience was a good one. Sending you all the positivity for the results. 
 

Today my mom, my daughter and I all did the Race For Life 5K. They walked but I decided to challenge myself and run it. Thought of all of you as I was doing it, sending positivity and collectively we have raised almost £500! 
 

Hope everyone is enjoying the lovely weather.
 

faye  

Hi Faye,

Congratulations to all three of you for completing the Race For Life 5K. This was a tremendous achievement and you have managed to raise a lot of money for a worthwhile cause.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Congratulations Fayevictoriam and thank you so much for your support!

An incredible achievement and well done for running too!

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi, 

wondering if anyone can help me.... 

so I found a tiny lump on the top of my breast about 5 months ago at the time I was pregnant put it down to horomones I had my baby and at my 12 week check showed the dr and they dismissed it as nothing. 
 

now 3 months on I've been back over it because it's still there and they have now referred me to the breast clinic. They have said to me not to worry they think it's nothing but I can't help but be so stressed over it. It's a small lump it's just below the skin and hasn't grew in 5 months but I can't help but be stressed. 
 

also I didn't have any pain but now feel like I've got pain is this normal? 
forgot to say am also 26
 

thanks Lucy 

Hi Lucy,

A very warm welcome to our forum and congratulations on the birth of your baby. I am sorry to hear about your symptoms, but just want to reassure you that many ladies get changes in their breasts when they are pregnant/lactating. Many of these are harmless and not cancerous. Besides, not all lumps are cancerous and, the younger you are, although not impossible, it is less likely to be. I stress that I am not a doctor, just someone who has had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 11 years. 

It is also a fact that only 1 person in every 8 referred to the breast clinic will receive a cancer diagnosis, so the odds are still in your favour. This is a time when you should be enjoying motherhood and family life. Remember that 'it's not cancer until you're told that it is'. Even if the worst comes to the worst, breast cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer and, although not particularly pleasant to undertake, it is all perfectly 'doable.'

I lost my mum to secondary breast cancer and, there is just no comparison in the diagnosis, treatment and aftercare which we both received. Things really have come a long way in just a few years. It is not usual for pain to accompany breast cancer, but it is common for us to imagine all sorts of additional niggles whilst we are waiting to be seen.

It doesn't sound as if your GP is particularly concerned and it is reassuring to know that the lump is small and, that you have noticed no change in the past 5 months. Many people find that their lump is a benign cyst or fibroadenoma. After childbirth, it can be due to infection or mastitis. Try to take reassurance from all of these positive facts and, don't worry about feeling over emotional at present. This is something that most of us experience. Please keep us posted when your appointment comes through and I sincerely hope that all turns out well for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you for your reply Jolamine.

hospital got in tough today and told me I have a appointment next Thursday so not to long to wait I'm just going mad waiting. 
 

im hoping they are just taking procautions am just worried that they should of refereed me 3 months ago when I first went over it. 
 

am so sorry you've had to deal with 2 bouts of it you must be such a strong woman. And having lost your mother to it aswell I really am sorry for your loss. 
 

I will post a update of my out come no matter what they say. 
 

thanks for your support 

Lucy xx

Thank you for your reply Jolamine.

hospital got in tough today and told me I have a appointment next Thursday so not to long to wait I'm just going mad waiting. 
 

im hoping they are just taking procautions am just worried that they should of refereed me 3 months ago when I first went over it. 
 

am so sorry you've had to deal with 2 bouts of it you must be such a strong woman. And having lost your mother to it aswell I really am sorry for your loss. 
 

I will post a update of my out come no matter what they say. 
 

thanks for your support 

Lucy xx

Hi Lucy,

I am glad to hear that your appointment has now come through and that you don't have much longer to wait. Waiting is always agony. We normally advise people to keep busy and to stay away from Google, but with a new baby, I don't expect that this will be a problem.

I am still hopeful for a good outcome and, will look forward to your update.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Afternoon 

I thought I'd post an update. 

Today marks 2 weeks since my biopsy and I had still had no results  so I called the consultants secretary who informed me it was the MDT meeting yesterday and that a letter was in the post with my results. I asked if there was anything she could tell me on the phone and she was able to reassure from reading the letter out to me that  my results showed that my lump was benign and that no further actions were required - I was so relieved she was able to tell me this over the phone instead of waiting for the letter. 

Thinking of everyone on this forum, you are all amazing. Thank you for your support and kind words over the past weeks, they have been of great comfort, 

R x

Hi R-kath,

Thank you for the update. Although I'm sorry that it has taken so long to get the results, I'm glad that the secretary was good enough to tell you that it was good news - I'm delighted for you and expect that you are feeling mightily relieved tonight.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi ladies, 

thought I'd post my update, everything is fine it's a small cyst on my breast and a benign lymph node under my arm so nothing to worry about. 
 

although I am still worrying
 

I hope this helps others please don't think the worst the worrying usually worse than the outcome. 
 

love Lucy

Hi Lucy,

Thank you for the update. I am delighted to hear that nothing untoward was found. This should be a great relief to you. Can I ask why you are still worried?

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi jolamine, 

im not sure I suffer with Heath anxiety so i think it's playing into me still being worried. 
 

love Lucy 

Hi Lucy,

It is all too easy to let scares like this consume you, but you only get one chance at life and you should make the most of it. You have had good news. Instead of worrying about this, think how lucky you are. Many people on here would give their eye teeth for news like this.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi ladies,

Just want to talk to somebody as I am very anxious now. I went to check on last Thursday as I am going to have IVF and the Clinic ask me to have a test. During the checking, the nurse thought she can feel something, but not 100% sure. Because I was on my period at the time, she asked me to come back to have another check this Thursday. I was totally shocked and worried. I can't help myself googling everything. 

Now my period has finished, but I still can feel the area is the same, nothing has changed. I called my GP this morning asked them if they can refer me to breast clinic as I am concerning the waiting list would be long, and don't want to waste any time. But the receptionist even won't let me talk to my GP, just said to come on Thursday to have another check.

I am so worried that I might lose some valuable time. I just couldn't get my mind rest all the time. 

I am paranoid now, one min I am fine and next min I am upset. Just thinking life won't be the same from now on.

Does anybody know the cost for private check?

Thanks

Hi Paolazk,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear about your concerns and just wanted to reassure you that if you are referred to the breast clinic on an urgent referral (which usually happens), you will normally be seen within 2 weeks. Our breasts often change during the menstrual cycle, as our hormones change and they can return to normal afterwards. This is possibly what your nurse is expecting to happen to you.

The two week time frame is offered to ensure that you don't lose any valuable time. Another thing to remember is that not all lumps are cancerous. Many younger ladies get benign cysts or fibrocytic changes. It is also a fact that only 1 person in every 8 referred to the breast clinic gets a cancer diagnosis. 

We always advise people to steer clear of 'Dr Google', as this will only scare you further for no good reason. When you are upset about symptoms like this it is perfectly normal for us to be tearful and to find our emotions all over the place.

The only way to find out the cost of private treatment is to phone your local hospital and ask, as prices vary from one hospital to another. Remember that you would need to allow for the cost of a consultation, an ultrasound and a biopsy.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks [@Jolamine]‍ , thanks for your kindness reply to everyone. I was hoping my breast will become normal after my period, but I can't tell any difference and I have some burn feeling.

Work from home doesn't help either, I only have 4 walls and my computer, I can't stop thinking and thinking.