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 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 Michelle-Them,

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling more scared after reading some of the posts on our forum. Many people find it even more scary when they don't know what to expect, so we tend to tell things as they are in the hopes of making things less scary. Try not to touch your lump too often, as this will only make it more painful. If you can manage this, the pain should gradually die down.

It is reassuring to know that the lymph nodes in your neck are normal and nothing to worry about. Your appointment may seem ages away, but it's not really. You will find that if you phone your consultant's secretary once and tell her that you are willing to accept any cancellation, she will contact you if one comes up. In the meantime try to keep yourself busy to distract yourself from the wait.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you I am very busy which is good but still finding time to think . I'm telling myself it's a cyst and trying to drill that into my head . Thaks so much for you reply I am going to call today and ask for cancellations. Will keep you posted once I have been. Take care 

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

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