Hello Mem00231, 

You did absolutely the right thing to ring your GP and it's good they are being thorough and that they have referred you and it's reassuring that she said that she wasn't overly worried. Hopefully as she mentioned that it could take up to two months for you to have your appointment, it is very much possible though that you wil be seen before that - I am keeping my fingers crossed for you that it will be less than 2 months in the end. I can understand though that with what happened to your sister, you want to make sure that you are seen as soon as possible. 

I know it is really hard but try not to worry too much or anticipate what it might be. The best thing to do to avoid thinking too much about this is to keep busy and distracted if you can and avoid looking things up online. I can imagine it is hard for you to do this at the moment but it will help you feel a little less anxious. There are also have some good tips on this page to help you cope with waiting for news which hopefully will help you deal with the anxiety that any wait can create.

I hope you will also hear from others here who have been through all this before and that they will be along soon to share their story with you. 

Keeping everything crossed for you that everything turns out fine and that you won't have to wait too long for your appointment.

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Mem00231

Slightly similar situation to mine. I’m 26 and I’ve heard several times ‘because of your age’ which I understand, it’s not as common in younger individuals so that’s meant to be a positive thing, but it can definitely feel a bit like they’re not taking it as seriously at times. I have a similar lump as well - hard, round, slightly movable and not painful - and the GP wasn’t too worried. He said it was likely just a cyst and I would be referred to hospital and to expect to hear from them in about a month. Which I thought was quite a long wait, never mind 2 months. In saying that I received a letter 1 week later for an appointment 3 weeks after my initial GP appointment. So hopefully your appointment comes through sooner than that and the timeframe your GP gave was just a standard time they’re meant to give out to allow for delays.

In terms of relieving stress while waiting, I tried to keep busy with different things like work, hobbies and organising things like ‘pub quiz’ video calls with friends and family which I found helped as distractions.  Talking to someone close to you may be worthwhile as well but if you feel like you can’t or would rather not, then this forum can definitely be helpful.

Wishing you all the best.

Lauren x

Hi Lauren776,

Thank you so much for replying to my message. It gives me a lot of reassurance to hear someone else is experiencing the same but I am so sorry you are having to deal with such a difficult and stressful situation. Can I ask, is the lump under or at your nipple? Most people I have spoken to with a similar complaint have all been away from the nipple and higher up. When is your hospital appointment? I think it's reaffirming your doctor suspected a cyst, that must've helped to put your mind at ease.

best of luck, I'll be thinking of you 

Hi Lucie,

thank you for taking the time to post and offer up those helpful links, it's very much appreciated.

Thank you, and sorry you’re going through this as well. The lump I’ve got is just above the nipple, I’d say maybe about 2cm higher. I actually had my hospital appointment on Thursday there. The doctor examining me thinks it’s likely a fibroadenoma, instead of a cyst, but they’ve done a biopsy to be sure. I’m not sure about the rest of the UK but in Scotland at least, even if the doctor is convinced it’s a fibroadenoma, if you’re over the age of 25 you get a biopsy taken to make sure. So it’s reassuring that I should hopefully be able to get a definite diagnosis of what it is. Should get the results by the end of the week, so I’ve got my fingers crossed that’s all it is. Hopefully you manage to get seen soon and I’ve got my fingers crossed that everything goes well for you as well.

Best wishes

Lauren x

Hi Lauren776,

i just wanted to check in to see if you got your results yet? 

Hi Mem00231

Thanks for checking in. Turns out I do in fact have a fibroadenoma so I’m relieved to say the least. Have you had any update regarding an appointment yet?

Lauren776, I'm so relieved for you! I haven't received my referral letter yet so I'm still impatiently waiting and trying to remain positive. Genuinely so pleased for you, take care :) 

Sorry to hear you're still waiting but hopefully the fact the GP didn't seem too worried is giving you some, if even just a little, piece of mind. Although, I know I would be beside myself waiting that long. Hope you get you're appointment soon and in the meantime take care too!