What to expect at Breast Clinic

Hey all

 

ive noticed huge changes to my breasts recently (mainly R) and had a telephone consultation on Monday. I have my in person appointment tomorrow at 3:30 and I'm just wondering what to expect? What sort of tests do they do? I'm 23 and I really don't want to be fobbed off for my age - I know my body and I know this is not normal and doesn't go alongside my period (absolutely not saying it's cancer but on the phone call I felt a bit dismissed because I'm only 23) - just want some answers as to why they've changed so much!

 

thanks all! 
 

xxxx

  • Hey there!

     

    I visited the breast clinic last year after discovering a lump on my left breast, rest assured it turned out to just be an infected cyst that was already beginning to sort itself out.

     

    I was in a similar position as I was 22 at the time. I felt like my GP thought I was a bit of a hypochondriac at first because breast cancer was so unlikely at my age. However similar to yourself I know my own body and I know that this wasn't normal. My GP thought it was likely that this was related to hormones or periods and I'd just never noticed these changes before but because I have had cancer in the past (totally unrelated to breasts) she agreed to make a referral to the breast clinic to be on the safe side.

     

    At the breast clinic the staff were all lovely, rest assured! They did an examination and had a feel of both breasts and armpits first then did a mammogram. Apparently mammograms are more difficult to read in younger women because their breast tissue is denser so they also did an ultrasound of my breast. I had a biopsy of the lump with a local anaesthetic (again, extra precaution because of my history of cancer). The doctor gave me a lot of reassurance that the lump did not appear cancerous and made me a follow up appointment for the following week to get the results. 
     

    The follow up appointment was quick and straight to the point. The whole experience was fairly stress free (minus my own panicking thanks to dr Google). Try not to worry until the professionals give you a reason to!

     

    I hope all goes well for you x

  • In my experience as soon as you step into the breast clinic you will be taken seriously. After all, they are specialists in a small field and deal with many women (and men) young and old for concerns about breast cancer / unusal changes etc. They will listen, don't worry about the age issue.

     

    It always helps me write down a timeline and symptoms on a piece of paper really clearly to take and share with them. That way you can be focused in what you want to tell them. They are also a one-stop so you should have further examinations / discussions quite quickly. 

    Best of luck!

  • Well I went today and felt totally fobbed off. Been given a leaflet about breast pain and that's it! No scan nothing. I've got an appointment with my dr again on Thursday and blood tests and going to ask to be re referred to another consultant at the breast clinic. 
     

    xxx