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Been referred to Breast Clinic and freaking out...

sophthegreat
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Hi all, 

I'm sure there are lots of messages like this one, but I thought I'd post a message anyway as it seems like a good place to vent my worry without unnecessarily alarming other people in my life!

I went to see my GP yesterday as my right breast has been feeling a bit tender lately. My breasts are quite naturally lumpy but recently it's felt like there is an area of my breast which is more solid than the rest. I don't know why, but I kind of expected the GP to say it was nothing and for me to carry on with the rest of my day as usual. Instead as soon as I mentioned slight pain in my right breast her general demeanour went from bright and breezy to serious and concerned. She asked me if I had any family history of breast cancer, and I told her my grandmother had it (she passed away from breast and lung cancer aged 68). I also remembered after my appointment that my mother's cousin had it, although my mum and aunt are fine (at least so far). She examined my breast, and although I hadn't actually mentioned finding any lumps she immediately found the place that I had identified myself. She said she wasn't sure if it was a lump, or just a nodule as my breasts are quite nodular, but she would refer me to a breast clinic for screening. She would recommend all available tests. She said she thought they would want to see me "very quickly". So as you can imagine I left the GP surgery alarmed. I also got a call from the hospital the same day (yesterday) to arrange an appointment - which also alarmed me as I figured they had prioritised me because they suspected it was cancer.

The appointment is for a week on monday. I'm not sure if I can wait that long because psychologically I'm already finding it very tough.

This year is a very big one for me as I'm getting married in three months. The wedding is abroad, everything's already organised, many people have booked their flights and accommodation. Me and my fiance are planning our life together. I can't imagine everything being disrupted by a breast cancer diagnosis. 

More than that, I can't imagine trying to face breast cancer if that is the diagnosis. The GP said I should try not to worry, and that most cases are benign, but I am upset that I was referred so quickly. 

I tried to talk to my Mum about it, especially as my stepdad is a retired doctor, but both of them immediately dismissed it by saying if I have any pain the likelihood is that it's not anything serious. My boyfriend is being very understanding, and saying that if it's serious we can postpone the wedding, we'll do whatever it takes. But I already have a lot going on in my life and I'm struggling to imagine the possibility, however unlikely, of taking breast cancer on as well. 

How do people cope with this? I don't want to mention it to friends as I don't have a diagnosis of anything yet. But at the same time I find it hard to socialise etc as normal with this dread hanging over me.

Sophie x

  • Offline in reply to missloobie86

    Hi

    I had been experiencing pain in my left boob/ nipple for a couple of weeks when I finally got a gp app.

    There is also a lump in my armpit which is also quite painful when touched.

    She said she would refer but it will take months to get seen ? I'm only 28 with 2 kids. My youngest being 7 months and I am so scared and anxious and now to have to wait months for an app.

     

    Has anyone went private. I have been googling private places but most won't see under 40.

     

    So scared and stressed 

     

  • Offline in reply to misslivi

     

    Hi Miss Livi,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear about the wait that you're having to be seen at the breast clinic. Younger people often have problems in getting referred in the first place, because they are less likely to have cancer. Most people are referred under the ugrent 2 week pathway. It sounds as if your GP hasn't done this and that yours is just a regular referral, which can take some time. 

    Not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts, hormonal or fibrous changes. It is a fact that only 1 person in every 8 who do attend the breast clinic will get a cancer diagnosis. You can sometimes get your first appointment sooner by going private, but there can then be a delay in getting back to the NHS for treatment if needed. You are quite likely to see the same surgeon in the private as well as the NHS setting.  Why don't you phone your GP and ask if she can refer you under the 2 week pathway?

    If you know which consultant she has referred you to, you could also phone their secretary and say that you are willing to take a cancellation. The hospital switchboard will put you through if you don't have the telephone number..

    I know that this is a worrying time. Try to keep yourself busy during this wait - it helps to make the time pass a little quicker.

    I sincerely hope that all turns out well for you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    I called this morning to find out my referral just got done on Friday 4 weeks after my initial app.

    Beyond angry with the Dr and very stressed now even more. 

    She gave me rhe hospital contact which would be the one I would be going too .

    Called the hospital and they said it will be a few months as it is so busy.

    Hard not to worry when got 2 young kids and on mat leave so spend days at home and find myself crying qlot while my oldest is at school xx

     

  • Offline in reply to misslivi

     

    Hi,

    I am so sorry to hear of the delay in sending your referral - this is unacceptable. I am glad to hear that you called the hospital, even if they didn't give you any good news about waiting times. Did you ask them to put you on the cancellation list? This can  be helpful in getting you seen sooner, as a number of patients are cancelling due to having Covid.

    Don't worry about crying so much. Most of us find ourselves in the same situation whilst waiting.  Crying a lot is not such a bad thing, as it helps to relieve some of the tension you are under. You will find it easier to cope once you get a diagnosis and know what you are dealing with.

    Kind regards,

    JOlamine xx

  • Offline in reply to missloobie86

    Just wanted to say hello. Had a lump on my right breast that I noticed about 3 weeks ago, doctor told me to come back today after my holiday. I did and it's still there. The day after I had my original appt I went to the dentist and found out I had an infection and needed emergency root canal. I could only have the first appt because I was going on holiday and had a load of antibiotics. I only got back from holiday yesterday and had doctors today. She's referred me to the breast clinic but I have raging tooth ache and need to get myself back to the dentist. Could it be possible that the lump could be caused by the tooth infection? 
     

    I have my breast clinic appt in 2 weeks today and as expected I'm freaking even though the doctor was clear that she thought it would be ok: I'm due to start ivf meds 3 days before the clinic appt and she told me to start them as expected. 
     

    I know no one has an answers and this wait is horrible but I am just venting a bit 

  • Offline in reply to Treaclepud

      How did you get on? Going to the breast clinic for the same thing! Really hope you’re okay x 

  • Offline in reply to katiee2

    Hi Katiee2, I was one of the lucky ones and it was all ok. Just normal lumpy breast tissue. The breast clinic say they get a lot of people like that as GPs aren’t always great at recognising the difference. But it’s better to be referred than have the GP decide and later find out they were wrong.

    It’s a scary time waiting though, I think I was 10 days before I went and I was a mess until I got the results. I hope you’re lucky like I was, I’m sure you must be worried sick, sending you a hug for luck xx

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