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 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. 

Hi Paolazk,

Any change in your breast should always be checked out, so you are doing the right thing. Working from home certainly won't be helping with your anxiety. I sincerely hope that this all turns out well and you can get back on track with your IVF.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi [@Jolamine]‍ 

Really appreciate your words. I had a panic attack tonight as I've been over thinking all day. I can't stop checking my breast, but nothing has changed. I think nurse will refer me to the Breast Clinic after Thursday, then I will be worring  for the whole waiting period. Really want to stay positive, but no matter how hard I've tried, I just can't cope.

xx

Hi Paolazk,

Try not to overcheck your breast or you will make it sore. I'm sorry to hear about your panic attack tonight. The way you are feeling is perfectly normal. Most of us become tearful wrecks when we are waiting to be seen and are emotions are all over the place. Believe it or not, irrespective of the outcome, it becomes easier to cope once you know what you are dealing with - at the moment there are just too many unknowns.

Most people say that waiting is one of the hardest parts of their cancer journeys. I know that it's almost impossible to do, but do try and stay positive. 

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Good evening all, I have been reading through all the posts from the beginning to the end. I feel more scared . I have had a lump on my right breast for some time was small and I used to have to really search for it so I left it. Recently past 2 weeks been getting breast pain and noticed the lump was easy to find and is hard and large. I went to my GP surgery today and she just seems very quite and said I'm referring you to the 2 week waiting list for the breast clinic. Since the appointment I'm in real bad pain in my boob from where she was pushing so hard on it. When asked about symptoms I did explain I have keep having random rashes on my chest for no reason but never thought nothing of it. Anyone else experienced a rash breast pain and lump. Really worried and feel sick. If I touch the lump I right away feel like I'm gonna vomit and in so much pain is this normal. Also have several enlarged lymph nodes on my neck which have been there some time but are normal when was scanned a few weeks back. Thank you in advance 

Thanks [@Jolamine]‍, just came back from my appt with nurse, not as bad as I thought. The lump she found last week has gone, which is a good sign, could be the hormone thing. But my breast is still quite dense, so GP is going to refer me to the breast clinic. TBH, I don't know how do I feel now, still can't rest my mind. X

Hi Paolazk,

I am glad to hear that your lump has disappeared. A lot of people have naturally dense breasts, so it sounds as if your GP is just being extra cautious. You will usually be seen within 2 weeks. Try not to worry, as only 1 person in every 8 referred to the breast clinic will receive a cancer diagnosis. I expect that you'll feel happier in the long term to get this fully investigated - then you can get back to your IVF without any dark clouds hanging over you.

Please let us know when you get your appointment through.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Paolazk,

I am glad to hear that your lump has disappeared. A lot of people have naturally dense breasts, so it sounds as if your GP is just being extra cautious. You will usually be seen within 2 weeks. Try not to worry, as only 1 person in every 8 referred to the breast clinic will receive a cancer diagnosis. I expect that you'll feel happier in the long term to get this fully investigated - then you can get back to your IVF without any dark clouds hanging over you.

Please let us know when you get your appointment through.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks [@Jolamine]‍ My breast was quite painful last night, which make me worried. But it's better this morning, but I can still feel something over there. 

I am trying my best not over thinking too much.

Xx

Hi Paolazk,

You could drive yourself insane by overthinking things. Try to remind yourself that 'it isn't cancer until you're told that it is.'

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx