Breast Clinic - Super Nervous!!

Hi, 

I have been referred to the breast clinic after getting a second opinion from a different doctor. I noticed a change in my nipple as it is becoming slightly inverted when I raise my arms or lay flat. There has been occasions were it has properly sunk into the skin but these have been minimal. 
 

I'm only 22 so I have very little idea of what will happen at the clinic and what to expect. I'm extremely nervous about the current situation and the fact that I might need to (probably will) go on my own without the support of my mum or my boyfriend. Has anyone went to a breast clinic recently that can try give me some advice on what to expect? 
 

I'm extremely nervous, I have anxiety anyway but this has added to it greatly. All I can think about is the possibility of having breast cancer at such a young age. Everything I have looked up points towards that as well. 
 

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Kirsty. X

  • Hey Kirsty

    I had my appointment in the 1st on June. I was not able to take my partner with me. It was fine ! The team were lovely and I had an exam plus ultra sound and a core needle biopsy. Nothing was painful or awkward about the appointment. 

    Just awaiting biopsy results now but reassures it's likely nothing to worry about. 

    The appointment will be no where near as bad as you are thinking just try relax and not over think it as there is nothing you can do but wait now anyway. Working has really helped with me keeping my mind off wondering about my results too much 

    Good luck ! 

  • Hi Kirsty,

    The breast clinics are brilliant and the nurses are so supportive.

    They try and do everything in the one day that needs to be done. And the breast care nurses are their if you need them.

    I've just had a right sided mastectomy 3 weeks ago and did it all by myself but was supported at every step x 

    Good luck to you try and distract yourself with other things because the wait after biopsy if you have one is the worst wait x

    Let us know how you get on 

    Hayley x

  • Thank you for the responses! 

    I hope your biopsy results came back all clear. 
     

    I am still waiting on my appointment. I've had some up and down days for sure recently. I am a worried so naturally I always go to the worst case scenario so my mind has been in overdrive recently. I'm just hoping my appointment arrives soon so that I can finally know what I'm facing. 
     

    I'm so sorry to hear that you've had to go through that Hayley, especially on your own. Thank goodness we have amazing nurses around! I hope you are ok and recovering well. 
     

    trying my best to distract myself. It is great to have others to chat to about this, I'm glad we can all be here for each other. x

  • Hi Kirsty, 

    I was referred to breast clinic on Friday by the GP and the clinic called me within a hour of me leaving the Drs. I know each area has different procedures. My letter confirming my appointment for Thursdsy has arrived today, along with a booklet. The booklet has a flow chart of what to expect. I understand what you mean. I am a natural worrier anyway and any anxiety that I have is always linked to my health. I am petrified of the appointment on Thursday. Keep trying to keep myself busy but it isn't easy to not think about it. 

    I hope that you get your appointment soon and that everything is ok for you. My GP did tell me if I hadn't had an appointment notification within two weeks I needed to call her and she would chase it up for me. Keeping my fingers crossed for you. 

     

    Lou x

  • I hope everything goes well for you on Thursday. I've got everything crossed! 
     

    I am definitely a total worried, I've basically convinced it's BC and no one can tell me otherwise at this point. I think I've got to the point where I just want an answer so if it is BC I can start some form of treatment to help. Unfortunately I'm still waiting on an appointment, I'm from Scotland and according to the websites, we don't have a 2 week time frame here. If I've not hear anything by Wednesday I'll be phoning the GP or the Clinic itself to find out more information as by then it will have been 14 days since my referral. 
     

    Good luck for Thursday, I'll be thinking of you xx

  •  

    Hi Kaympee,

     

    Scotland does have the 2 week referral time too, although some hospitals are taking a little longer just now due to the current pandemic. It is always a worry when you are referred to the breast clinic, especially when you are so young. It is only by doing certain tests that your consultant can confirm or refute the presence of cancer.

     

    Mon's description of her visit is pretty typical. Your visit to the clinic is as much to rule out breast cancer as it is to diagnose it. Only 1 person in every 8 referred gets a cancer diagnosis, so here's hoping that you are one of the lucky ones!

     

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

     

    Kind regards,

     

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Kaympee,

     

    My appointment was last Thursday. I told him about my fall from a couple of weeks ago during the initial chat and medical form completion. He then examined me. The dr said that my swelling is due to muscle damage. He didn't scan me. I said my regular gp had said it might be a fatty lump and he shook his head and said no muscle damage. 

    I was very relieved as I too had convinced myself it would be cancer. I am a little apprehensive as he didn't scan me but I suppose that he knows what it is that he is feeling for?

     

    i just wish I'd thought on to ask him some questions such as how long will it take to go down/will it go down etc. 

    definitely try to chase up your appointment, the waiting is horrible. I will be thinking of you. Let me know how you go on xx

  • Hi everyone, 

     

    I still don't have an appointment, I contacted the clinic themselves who do have a referral for me but as it does not specify urgent there's not say when I will get an appointment atm. Quite disheartening as I'm constantly worrying about this, and find it strange how it can't be urgent when I'm 22 with a suddenly have a nipple that inverts etc. When looking at the Scottish Guidance on Breast Referrals that would be an urgent referral not routine but according to the lovely nurse/receptionist it's looking only routine atm. 
     

    I will phone the gp this week to see when I'm likely to get seen to see if they can push it through quicker or I'm going to need to go private which I can't really afford but the thought of waiting weeks feeling anxious is not something I want to go through. 
     

    Thanks for all your comments. You have totally put me at ease about my appointment xx