Hi everyone, just got my appointment letter today for breast clinic after a referral.by my gp, got an estimated 2/3 cm lump in my breast, the wait is 2 weeks, I was ok until I got my appointment and now everything is going through my head, my son had testicular cancer and won the battle but finding out I go to the same.part of hospital as he did is scaring me, how can I switch off and stop worrying, my gp said sit tight, easier said than done x

Hi Jane,

A very warm welcome to our forum., although I'm sorry to hear why you've joined us. The wait to be seen is always a scary time and the waiting time seems to crawl by. This must be especially difficult for you  having to go to the same part of the hospital as your son did. I am delighted to hear that he has won the battle and, I hope that he is doing well.

We all tend to think the worst at this stage, but fortunately, this seldom comes to pass. Try to remind yourself that not all lumps are cancerous. Some are benign cysts or fibroadenoma. It is worth reminding yourself that only 1 person in every 8 referred to the breast clinic will get a cancer diagnosis. Can you get involved in a project of some kind for the next two weeks, even if it is only doing a jigsaw? Having something to distract yourself from the wait will help to pass the tme. Keep telling yourself that 'it's not cancer until you're told that it is'.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi all just wanted to update had my appointment today at the breast clinic I was firstly examined by the specialist nurse then had a mammogram and ultrasound by the doc they told me there was no suspicious findings on either and that I have mixed glandular tissue which is normal so I'm very happy and relieved. 

Hi Alster,

Thank you for updating us all. I am absolutely delighted to hear that, after all that worry, you got the all clear today. I am sure that you feel mightily relieved and I hope that you plan a little celebration over the weekend.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi all, 

After reading through this thread I wanted to share with others who may be worried.  My first lump was 2 years ago (just before my 40th Birthday), went to Dr's, got referred to all in one clinic and appointment was about 2.5 weeks after referral.  With these clinics they do try to diagnose (even though biopsy results can take about 2 weeks).  I was told that she was pretty sure it was cancer...longest 2 weeks of my life waiting for it to be confirmed - I couldn't even go to work!

Results came back and it was benign.  I still had to have an operation to have it removed and I remember them saying it was a Phyllode tumour (sorry if spelt wrong), might sound distgusting but I actually got to see it in a test tube before it went for tests. I should add it was about 3.5/4cm in length.

I've found another lump (same breast, different place), went to Dr's who brought up my notes and said last time it was recorded as a complex Fibroadenoma - I've googled this and they seem small so not really sure.  As expected I've been referred to the all in one clinic again.

Unfortunately I'm in Wales so a 3 week wait is normal but it's longer due to no Radiologist available for a few weeks.  I've got my appointment now which will be 5 weeks and 2 days since being referred.

Sorry I've waffled on a bit but for anyone with new lumps I just want to give a little advice...

don't stress if you are referred as urgent, this is normal.

don't listen to the professionals opionion on the day - wait until they have all the results in front of them.

don't stress (or try not to) if your appointment is very fast or takes longer than expected.

As the stats say, only 1 in 8 will get it and I wish each and every one of you going through this the best.  

Take care x

Hi EmMaEv,

Thank you for this reassurance. I am sure that many people reading your post will be reassured by what you say. I am sorry to hear that you have found another lump and have such a lengthy wait to be seen at the breast clinic.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that you get good news again. Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks Jolamine.  I'll let you know how I get on, clinic is a week tomorrow and as it's 1.5hrs away and I have to drive so my mum is going to come with me - last time she drove but she had a knee replacement 6/7 weeks ago so can't but her company will be nice as we always have a laugh and giggle and any excuse to eat out lol.  I had knee surgery 3 weeks ago but not to her extent so I'll be fit to drive thank goodness...We are like 2 peas in a pod and will hobble along together and fill our bellies with laughter and food despite the circumstances :) x

Hi EmMaEv,

It's good to know that you don't have too long to wait. You are brave to attempt to drive so soon after knee surgery of any sort. Like your mum, I've had both knees replaced and, wasn't allowed to drive for 6 weks post-surgery. Still, the company is always good to have and, I hope that you hobble to somewhere nice for a tasty lunch with plenty of laughter and good food.

Don't forget to let us know how you get on.
Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi all, Just read through the whole thread. Like others, I found a thickening in the upper, outer area of my left breast. It doesn't move, it is solid, like a mass. Breast is just the same size as the other one, I'm spotting no denting, dimpling, or hardening of the breast, still feels very soft exactly like other one, other than this area of thickening. Whether this is relevant I don't know.........So I went off to the doctors and the nurse too could feel a thickening and urgently referred me to the breast clinic. 2 week wait.
l am 55 years, 56 in September, so at that higher risk age, but there is no history at all of any type of cancer in my immediate family. 
Despite that, I think what I have is the dreaded C, because my thickening is textbook. A lump or mass, immovable and pain free. .........I've ruled out cysts, because it's not round and doesn't move, nor does it hurt nor painful, fibroadenomaI lumps are movable too I understand and I can spot the difference between what is normal breast tissue for me and this just does not feel right. I've gone through touching it all the time, to feeling too scared to touch it..............Why I'm more convinced it's that, is because this past couple of days and suddenly I'm getting aches under my left armpit, but can't feel any swelling at all under there and I don't think the nurse did either. I'd have expected her to mention it, if she had.

I have another week to wait and I'm going out of mind. At 56, divorced, I live all alone now and after my five children left the nest, so I've no partner for support. I've been going to my daughters house daily to keep my mind occupied, but she has six very boisterous children, 2 of them under 2 years old that need constant attention. Another daughter is a paramedic, so she's constantly at work, so I'm feeling pretty much alone........... The first few days I was keeping really busy and being my usual cheery self, hard as it was, when with my daughter. I was also not talking about it, trying to just put it out of my mind until the date for the mammogram, but yesterday for the first time I broke down in tears..........For a week now I'm neither not eating properly or sleeping properly. I have lost over half a stone in weight. My anxiety is now through the roof. I am emotionally drained. I'm just not dealing well at all and have had to ask for a prescription for sleeping pills.

I just have this horrible, horrible feeling that I'm going to get bad news.