Hi,

I'm 27 and a few months ago I found a medium sized lump in my left breast. As we were in lockdown and I have a medically fragile child, I delayed contacting my gp. When it hadn't disappeared after 2 months I booked in to see the dr. She could feel it and said 'I believe it to be because of your cycle - and should be gone by the next one'. It wasnt and during this time, I started to get pain and aching and pulling in the breast. I waited just over a month from my initial appointment and contacted them again. The gp forgot to call back so i waited till the end of the week and called again. This time, she called back and I explained the tenderness and pulling around the boob and that I have been getting an extreme sore underneath the breast that weeps and burns. She said its just thrush and i shouldn't worry but she will refer me for a scan and I should get a scan appointment through the breast clinic.

I waited 2 months and heard nothing so contacted the clinic and they have informed me that as it's a routine scan she's referred me for, that there is a 12 month wait list because of covid. I called the gp to see if she can expedite things as I have become increasingly more worried as time has gone on. She said 'no, I won't re refer you as urgent because people in their 20's without a history of breast cancer dont usually get it'. She also advised me to pay private if I'm that concerned. I asked both  the gp and breast clinic secretary 'what if it's bad news and has worsened over the 12 month wait?' Their reply was pretty nonchalant and it just is what it is - so reassuring - NOT.

To say I am terrified is an understatement. I have looked into private but our closest clinic is almost 150 miles away and £300-£600 per breast - I would truly struggle to get there and I just simply do not have the money. 

I really don't know what I am expecting from this post. I'm just so scared.

Thanks for reading