Seen GP for breast lump but now confused

Hi all, like everyone else when you find a lump you go straight to the internet looking for possible answers and support, so here I am!! 
 

I went to the gp with a lump that I found in my left breast on Friday (yesterday), I am 36 years old. The gp said it needs attention but that she didn't feel it was sinister because it was moveable and smooth. With that she said she would refer me to the breast clinic, but she wouldn't put it through as urgent. So now I've had time to look this up online, I can see that the guidelines state that all women over 30 years old should be referred and seen within 2 weeks. So I am confused now, will I be seen within 2 weeks, or how long will I have to wait if she's not referred me as urgent!?? Do any of you lovely people know? I am in such a state tonight worrying about this Any advice would be so much appreciated xxx

  •  

    Hi Anna,

    An urgent referral is sually within 2 weeks. a non-urgent one is more to do with when one becomes available. At present, waiting times vary throughout the country, due to Covid. Your GP is right that the more sinister lesions tend to be hard and fixed.

    This is always a worrying time and I do hope that you get an appointment through soon. Please keep in touch. We are always here for you. 

    Kind regards,

    jolamine xx

  • Hi Anna,

    I have just read your post I'm new on here but just thought I'd reply as I had referral to breast clinic as non urgent and they actually rejected it? I wasn't to happy about that and they referred me again as urgent to make sure they see me so in total I was waiting 4-5 weeks and finally had my appointment today.

    Hopefully that's not the case for you and you get seen fast, I hope everything's okay for you  and I hope this helps a little xx

    P. S stay away from Google it will drive you massively insane! Take care x

  • Hi Laura,

    Thank you so much for your message, this does help a lot! How did you know they had rejected it, that's awful, did you have to chase the appointment or did someone let you know? 
     

    How did you get on ok at the clinic yesterday? 
    I shall take your advice and try to stay clear of google!!

    Thanks again xx

  • Hi Jolamine,

    Thank you so much for your message. I think I will ring back Monday and ask the gp to refer me as urgent as I don't think I can cope waiting for an appt to become available, especially when I seem to fit the urgent referral criteria. I am obviously reassured that it doesn't feel sinister, however you just never know do you. With two children and being a nurse myself, I don't think I can sit around and wait, knowing it should have been referred quicker. I don't want to be that annoying patient though, demanding a quicker appt! 
     

    Anyway, thanks for listening and being there xxx

  • Hi Anna,

    Yes I had to chase my appointment so after like 4 weeks waiting I rang docs and they told me it had been rejected, no one was going to let me know  which is what I was most annoyed at..

    I got on okay thank you everything seems to be okay they told me the lump I got told was a cyst was a lymph node? Honestly I am still a bit confused and think I will ring them tomorrow just to answer a couple of questions that I didn't ask when I was there 

    It's horrible finding something and then just having to wait on it. I googled nearly everyday for about 3 weeks lol  and it was all about worst case scenarios and that's not always the case xx

  • Gosh Laura, I can't believe they were not going to let you know, that's terrible. You must have been going out of your mind with worry. Especially looking at google all that time. 
    I'm going to ring the doctors in the morning and ask the receptionist what type of referral she's made. 
     

    its horrible when u think of things you want to ask when you get home isn't it, I would ring tomorrow xx

  • I didn't know they could reject it and yeah the worst part is that I could of still been waiting had I not rang them and no one was going to let me know. That within its self dosent give you the greatest confidence. I have 4 children so was double worried.

    Yeah I defo think you should contact them and ask further questions about your referral and maybe demand they send you in as urgent.

    I hope you get seen fast and please let me know how you get on. We know our bodies best and hopefully it's nothing to worry about but the quicker it gets seen the better. How big is your lump in left breast and where is it located if you don't mind me asking? Xx

  • It does make it extra scary when we have our children to think about too. I'm not normally an anxious person but this has really got me! X
     

    it's the top outer corner, not too far from armpit area. It is just slightly bigger than a pea I would say xx

  •  

    Hi Anna,

    It would certainly be helpful to know which pathway you have been referred on. Even if you knew which hospital and consultant you'd been referred to, you could phone the consultant's secretary and see whereabouts you are on the list. It can sometimes help if you offer to take any available cancellation.

    i hope that you manage to find out more.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx