Hi Keepsmiling18. Welcome to the forum.

I'm not a doctor - and I'm not a woman either so I don't have specific experience of what you're going through.

I recently had an urgent ENT referral, and over a period of a few weeks I was put through a battery of tests, including endoscopies (one under general anaesthetic), MRI, and biopsies. And after all that, no cancer was found.

Reading the experiences of other forum members, it appears that once you've been referred for anything and there's a risk of cancer, then the doctors will take every possible step to ensure that they don't miss it.  

The tests you've outlined are typical for a breast clinic, although each patient may experience them in a different order.  What you should not do is think "They've ordered an XYZ test; they must think I've got cancer! Gasp!".  It doesn't work that way. The tests are done to gather as much information as possible, and once all that is available then a diagnosis is made.

It is also usual for the specialist to call you to an appointment for a face-to-face chat whether the results are good or bad, and often you're sent the appointment letter even before the results are available. This is because even after cancer has been ruled out, there may still be some other problem which may need treatment, and you will probably have a number of questions to ask anyway.  

So, judging by my own and other people's experiences, your best option is to go with the flow of the tests, and try not to worry too much (although that is easier said than done). 

Thank you telemando. I do appreciate your reply. That all makes sense. No panic here.

Hi Keepsmiling,

A very warm welcome to Cancer Chat.

I am sorry to hear about your inverted nipple. This can mean cancer, which is why your GP has referred you to the breast clinic. Telemando is quite correct that the same tests are done to most people but can be done in different order, depending upon what the consultant finds when s/he examines you.

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and had all these tests, but in a different order. I had the examination followed by a mammogram, then an ultrasound and finally a biopsy. These were then followed by a MRI a few weeks later. It normally takes about a week to get the results of your tests, because your surgeon will discuss your case with his multidisciplinary team (MDT), before he sees you in clinic again. This means that when you return for your results you should also be able to discuss what your care team consider to be the best option as far as treatment is concerned.

If you can, always take someone with you to your appointments and draw up a list of questions before each appointment. Your companion can write down the answers whilst you are asking the questions. It is all too easy to forget what has been said during a consultation.

How are you coping? waiting for results is always a scary time, so try to distract yourself from the wait by keeping as busy as you can in the interim.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello,

im very worried about my mum,she has previously had breast cancer about 5 years ago.

and now she has an inverted nipple which also has a red rash  around it.

we have a history of breast Cancer in our family and she’s very anxious when she went see her doctor he was in a mood and didn’t examine her as she already has her usual yearly mammogram on Friday.

im concerned it could be cancer.

i feel helpless as she lives abroad and I no how scared she must be feeling.

Hi Truro,

Welcome to our forum.

I am so sorry to hear about your mum. She must be very worried. I have been through this with my mum 22 years ago. She developed breast cancer previously, but after 12 years it spread to her brain, bones, liver and lungs.

It was heartbreaking to see how quickly she deteriorated after that. I am not a doctor, but judging by her symptoms, it could be that the cancer has come back. If it has, I hope that it is still a primary lesion and not a secondary one.

Fortunately, you don't have long to wait, if she is due her annual mammogram on Friday. I hope that she is in a country where she is getting good care and, that it all turns out well for her. Do please let us know how she gets on. We are always here for you both. You must be finding it particularly hard when she is so far away.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx