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Referred for breast lump

Jac85
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Hi all

I'm now in the dreaded wait for initial appt for breast clinic. A bit of backstory. I'm nearly 36 and I have a family history of breast cancer. My aunt died of breast cancer and my mum also had breast cancer. My mum is also now deceased but she did survive cancer or at least it didn't return in the following 15 or so years. They were both diagnosed in their early 40s. 

I found a lump a few days ago. Slightly larger than a cm I'd say. It feels firm in comparison to surrounding breast tissue but not fixed under tips of fingers. It's not painful and I don't have other symptoms. I headed to GP straight away and I have been referred under urgent (suspected). GP was reassured it wasn't fixed but given history and backlog with covid she shared thst she wasn't comfortable leaving it as just an urgent referral as timescales were unknown. 

I guess my concern is that I think I was appropriately concerned but not freaking out. I think the GP trying to reassure while rushing a referral had made me feel more anxious.

Was she really worried and just not saying as such? Would all GPs just reassure as they know you have to wait?

What are others experiences? Anyone reassured then ended up being diagnosed? I like facts. I can deal with the truth. I can't deal with mixed messaging. If I need to be more worried than I am thsts fine but I want to be prepared. 

TIA 

  • Offline

    Hello Tia,

    I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through this, it is so horrible isn't it! I was referred to the breast clinic back in March for tenderness and was discharged, but have now been referred again for an armpit lump. I'm 21 but still very scared because my gp had no idea what it was, but was sure it was a ridge like lump. 
     

    I'm sure the gp would tell you if she was concerned, I don't think they'd hide it. I know of people who have been told out-right that it could be the dreaded c word. 
     

    Also, it's really positive that you've found it very early. One of my family members is a doctor and has said that I need to try and not villainise a referral because the majority of referrals are just to be on the safe side. The majority who are referred are discharged without concern. I've also been told by lovely people on here that not all lumps will be bad, most will be benign. 
     

    In terms of the quick referral, if it's any help, I've been referred twice before (one for suspected skin cancer and other to breast clinic). For the skin one, I had some gps saying that they're not worried but others saying that they have only referred me because of one reason: that it could be skin cancer. When I went, they said there was nothing wrong at all! So I think the quick referral is just the gp wanting it to be sorted. 
     

    I am going through the same and have my appointment Monday, so I know how horrible it is, but please try and hold on. We're all here for you. Let me know how you get on xxxx

  • Offline in reply to FrancescaIF

    Thank you for your reply. It is a concerning time. I guess on some level I always expected to be doing this with my family history. I was pretty relaxed about it initially but I'm now feeling more anxious. Hopefully it will be nothing for both of us. Best of luck with your appt. X

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