Hello. Last week in the shower, I felt a lump/muscle-like thing in my left breast. I went yesterday to the nurse practitioner to check it, and she referred me on the 2-week cancer referral route. She told me she can’t tell me what it is until I have scans, so obviously that makes me feel a bit nervous. She also said 98% of cases aren’t cancer so not to worry. The only thing that adds more fear to all this is the rapid, unintentional weight loss. Anyway, I got a call today from the hospital saying they’ve booked me in for the 2nd of March which feels like far away for an urgent referral, but oh well, it’s probably standard. I just wanted to ask what happens in the actual appointment, are you guaranteed scans? Do you discuss results on the day? How did you handle nerves? I’m very worried about the obvious things, but I’m also dreading the fact that I have to get my boobs out for potentially several medical people. No one really talks about the dignity aspects of these things. Or how to mentally prepare for the awkwardness of it all.
Side note: I’m very confused and kinda sad about this lump. I have no family history of breast cancer, and I just turned 29. I don’t want to touch the lump until the appointment because it just freaks me out if I’m honest.
My experience was really positive. I was seen by a breast nurse who took a brief medical history, then sent for a mammogram and ultrasound. It was slightly delayed because I have dense boobs and needed a second mammogram but it was all dealt with very quickly and professionally. I knew by the time I left what was going on.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this worry, I can really relate and the waiting around is horrible. I’m 35 and was diagnosed with TNBC in August.
Like your GP said, most lumps are not cancerous but it’s good that you’re getting it checked out and it seems you’ve acted so quickly. When I went to the breast unit, I got examined and then sent for an ultrasound which resulted in a breast tissue (the lump) biopsy and also lymph node biopsy. I then had a pre booked results appointment which got moved forward.
Hi @catscambridge well done for getting yourself an appointment the doctor is right there are so many things it could be. Boobs really are a lot of hassle haha
Of course its fair to worry about getting your boobs out and you will feel really awkward but honestly within less than a minute you’ll be fine. The breast care team spend their entire days examining breasts and as soon as you realise how unbothered they are I think you will relax. I’ve had to get my boobs out so much since Oct last year that it genuinely doesnt bother me now.
You might have an ultrasound done on your boobs if they can feel the lump, maybe they will want to give you a mammogram and sometimes they will take a biopsy. They numb the area so you shouldn’t feel any discomfort.
It might be a good idea to take someone with you so you have someone to sit in the waiting room with but you will have a lovely nurse with you the whole time.
Try not to worry too much yet. Fretting and worrying wont make the appointment come any faster and you are right not to prod anything now. Leave that to the professionals. Big hugs
I’m sorry for the situation that you’re in - your Nurse is right in that the vast majority of lumps turn out to be benign but you can’t help but worry . Mine was cancer but almost everyone I was screened with left looking relieved. Three co- workers have since confided to me that they have been investigated and diagnosed with different benign breast conditions of which there are many.
Oddly enough I found my experience at the clinic to be positive . The staff were extremely nice from the Receptionist to Radiographers and Radiologist and the BCN . They were considerate and I felt they did everything they could to respect my dignity . One thing I always do at breast appointments is to wear a stretchy crop top - you don’t ever need to fully take it off , just pull it down to your waist and up again immediately afterwards . I used to wear a jumpsuit as well for the same reason.
I was 56 and post- menopausal having been called back after a routine mammogram so my situation was very different to yours. The first thing was a detailed consultation with a BCN including full medical history and breast exam then a repeat mammogram and back to the BCN who told me that there was a small lump and I needed further tests . Next came and ultrasound scan then a different kind of mammogram followed by biopsies under X- Ray guidance. I didn’t find these painful though I was bruised for a couple of weeks afterwards .I then saw the BCN again who informed me that they thought it was an early cancer but would have to await the biopsy results to be sure . Not everyone gets given this much information though .
People who are provisionally diagnosed with benign conditions can often be cleared the same day or asked to come back for further tests .Because you’re young your breast tissue may be dense which could make your lump difficult to visualise on mammogram though the way you describe it I imagine they would see it easily on ultrasound but they may suggest other tests as well .
It’s easy to read into things but try not to , I also think it’s good that you’re leaving the lump well alone as any extra prodding and feeling might make you feel sore or the area around it inflamed which won’t help when you’re having tests.
I would suggest writing down questions in advance and taking them with you . I was not allowed to bring anyone with me as I was diagnosed during lockdown but my friend drove me there and back ( a good hour each way) and I was very glad to see her afterwards and not have to worry about driving . It was an intense couple of hours and I’m not sure I could have safely driven . You may not be there that long but even if they clear you as benign you might feel emotional or tired so think about how you’re getting there and maybe having someone with you .
The waiting is rubbish - try to take a day at a time and do something nice every day that will allow you to forget about it for a while . My advice would be to maybe tell a good friend or family member that you can trust not to tell everyone else and don’t Google until you know what you’re dealing with . I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you to be one of the 98% xx
I went to the breast clinic when I was about 25ish as I had a lump in my left breast. I was told it was likely a cyst but still felt a bit anxious going to the clinic. I went to the appointment, was reassured it was nothing to worry about but given a fine needle biopsy just to be certain. This was confirmed benign and off I went to carry on with life.
20 odd years later (crikey, I feel old!) I was referred again due to a lump in my right armpit. To be honest I wasn’t really anxious as I thought it would be just like the last time. The lump in my armpit was quickly dismissed (turned out to be something called PASH) but when I was examined the consultant said she felt something in my left breast. Thank goodness for the armpit lump and for the expertise of the consultant, because if I had felt anything I would have thought it was simply the cyst from before as in the same area and not done anything about it.
This time I had a mammogram on both sides, ultrasound and core biopsies both sides, markers popped in, back for another mammogram to check placement and then back to the consultant. It felt very different to the first in and out appointment, I was there all afternoon. The staff are all lovely and compassionate and will treat you with dignity (wear crop top you can pull up and down quickly). I wasn’t told anything on the day other than that I would have to wait for results but I knew from how people were acting and treating me. Mine was cancer and I’ve since had treatment and, although there were some not very pleasant times, am back to loving life again.
Sorry this was a really long reply, but basically I’m trying to say you won’t know until you have your tests and results but it could be nothing. There are many reasons for benign lumps and out of three things for me two have been nothing to worry about. We will keep everything crossed for you. x
Honestly this makes me feel a lot better. I’m probably overthinking it and being pessimistic about it all. But this sounds a lot less daunting than I’m imagining it to be. I’ll be taking my mum with me so hopefully that cancels out the nerves. Thank you for replying <3 big hugs back.
Firstly, I’m so sorry you had to go through that and I hope you’re healing/healed now. Secondly, so many good tips here, I didn’t think of writing questions down but thats a good one to keep in mind (as I have many!). Its also reassuring to hear your co-workers had benign lumps, I had no idea before discovering my lump that people get non-cancerous cysts/lumps in their breasts until I looked it up. I’m hoping its that. But will definitely be bringing my mum with me, even though I found it extremely difficult telling her in the first place because I didn’t want her to worry. I’m trying to keep it out of my mind for now, ordered a couple of books to get lost in so I can forget about the wait. Thank you so much for all the tips and details of the procedures as well. Hopefully it goes well and I hope you’re doing well now xx
No need to apologise for the length of your reply! I really appreciate you taking the time to reassure me and sharing your experience! Its all really helpful, especially since I’m absolutely clueless about this whole thing I’ve found myself in lol! I am sorry that you had to go through that but I’m so happy to hear you’re back to loving life again
Its definitely calmed me down to hear that staff there are compassionate, I was worried it was going to be like my recent visit to the gynae which was grim. The whole thing is new territory but hearing from you and everyone in the replies is reassuring for sure. I’ll try my best to keep it out of mind until I actually have the tests and results. Thank you again for taking the time to reply xx
Hello, thank you for taking the time to reply! I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope you’re on the road to recovery now and have a good team behind you <3
It really is a spooky wait. I was reluctant about going to the GP honestly, I didn’t want to admit to anyone that I found a lump on my boob because saying it out loud would make it more “real”. Hopefully its nothing serious, but by the sounds of everyones experience here, I will know relatively soon if it is or isn’t on the day. I hope you’re doing okay and sending you luck right back too xx
Hello! I agree with everything that has been said and if you’re lucky they might indicate what they think it is. The only thing I wasn’t prepared for was how the appointment was going to go, firstly I saw the specialist who felt the lump, then he sent me next door for the ultrasound, then they decided to take biopsies which means they will inject around the area with anaesthetic and then it’s like a tiny vaccum and loud sound like a stapler as they take a very small amount. The nurse then presses down on the area and dresses it. If I had any idea about biopsies I would have felt more prepared I just thought it would be an ultrasound. Then I went back into the specialist who indicated what he thought it was. I was 39 when diagnosed not what you expect ever I guess. This was October 2024,I’m now cancer free. Wishing you all the luck xx
Firstly I want to say all of you ladies on here are absolutely amazing and a total inspiration. All so positive.
I mainly want to share my experience of breast clinic to offer reassurance for anyone else who finds themselves in the position of an urgent referall and is frantically googling.
Please please stay off Google. You will not get the answers you are looking for. Only a consultant, mammogram and ultrasound and other investigations will get you answers.
Also many referalls to breast clinic are not sinister.
I had change in breast tissue, a harder thickened area on my left breast. Breast and armpit pain. Having been checked today with a mammogram and ultrasound and consultant check I am clear. It’s just dense breast tissue and fatty tissue. I do not have breast cancer.
Remember many referrals will not be breast cancer.
I am sharing this for those anxiously awaiting a referall.
Good Luck to all the ladies receiving treatment. You will smash it.
It is a very anxious time and you cannot stop your brain from worrying. However as everyone says nothing you do or say or think will help until you have the tests and results. I was sent for an untrained sound the next day after initial consultation, they did the mammogram that day, but had to wait a week for the biopsy, the. Apparently I had dense breast tissue so had to have another biopsy, which was better than the first, which was only uncomfortable when they had to press on it to stop the bruising, however there was lots of bruising the first time. Then MRI scan. To be fair I was not keen on getting my boobs out either but after the first time you don’t even think about it. Most of the time when it’s a hospital appointment you have to put one of their gowns on so it made no difference to me what bra or top I wore to be honest. I wish you the best of luck and hope the time passes quickly for you
Thank you for the reply! That’s really helpful insight. The biopsy sounds a little intimidating, but glad it’s not painful. I’ve still got a week to go, wish it was sooner but oh well. I hope all your results turn out okay. Thank you again for replying
Thank you for the reply! That’s really helpful insight. The biopsy sounds a little intimidating, but glad it’s not painful. I’ve still got a week to go, wish it was sooner but oh well. I hope all your results turn out okay. Thank you again for replying
edit/correction: must’ve misread the part about your results - I’m genuinely so glad yours have turned out good/benign!!! hoping I can join the benign club soon..
Just an update: Had my appt today finally, thankfully they didn’t find anything. The consultant said he couldn’t feel any lump (very odd). He sent me for an ultrasound and the tech only scanned the problematic breast and said there’s nothing there and sent me on my way. I’m both relieved and confused so I’ll probably drop a question in the nurse section on here and finally close this chapter. Thank you to all the lovely ladies who replied to my post and gave me great advice. For the ladies reading this who are waiting for their appt, the breast clinic was fine. The nurses were lovely and take good care of you. The only thing that made me nervous was the fact that there was a medical student in my appointment, I did request that he left the room during my examination. I think you can ask from the start of the appt for them to leave but I stupidly didn’t, it kind of caught me off guard. Anyway, posting this update for the ladies waiting for their appointment, your lump may turn out to be nothing like mine (I will follow up with the nurses on here as I still have questions regarding breast changes). You are in great hands with the NHS and this forum is also an excellent resource with amazing human beings who generously share their experiences so you don’t feel alone (benign or not). Don’t overthink it and live your life like normal until your appointment. Thank you again for the ladies who reassured me, really appreciated all the responses and sending love to everyone here.
xx
the doctor is right there are so many things it could be. Boobs really are a lot of hassle haha
