Hi, I’m feeling so worried. I’m trying not to but several times a day my hand will go to my left breast to feel whether the lump has gone away or got bigger.
I’m not sleeping well, but that doesn’t mean I’m thinking about it all the time. It’s just it is always there.
I discovered the lump on Thursday 9th June. I saw my doctor on the morning of Friday 10th june. But my appointment at the rapid access clinic isn’t until July 12th (the day before my birthday!)
The lump(S)on my left breast is not smooth, and it is hard. And the reason I’m not sure if it is a single lump or 2 lumps close together is that it’s quite bumpy. My GP thought that it moved around a bit, but I’m not so sure about that. It kind of feels like the breast around it is moving more than the lump it self.
I have phoned the breast clinic to let them know I am available should they have a cancellation and to ask if they could see me sooner but no joy. It is over a month of worrying and even though I know that worrying won’t help matters I am constantly thinking of what could be happening inside my body while I wait.
I’m 45 this year but had cancer in my womb when I was 28. I had a full hysterectomy. I was given the all clear after 5 years.
I really would like to know what this lump is.
Sorry for blahing on.
July 12th!! you must be tearing your hair out. The only way I can make sense of this is that your GP was absolutely sure it is benign, otherwise he would have made an urgent referal and then the apointment has to come through in 2 weeks.
Very good idea of yours to ring the clinic,did they give you the impression that there was no way they would ever have a cancellation,or did you think it was worth trying again. I know my clinic double book and never have any room.
In the meantime all I can do is offer you a big hug and suggest some things you can do in the meantime.
First of all dont google–there are some horrendous stories out there based on fairy tails. Use this site or other reputable Breast Cancer support sites. Avoid the american ones though, they do things a bit differentnly there. I scared myself to death reading a thread on a proceedure I was due to have, seems it hurts like hell over there and its next to painless here
Next remember, remember remember that 90% of lumps sent to the clinic are benign. When I was there I heard the radiologist say–lots of negatives so far today, this is the first interesting one(well i did not want to hear that, but it was good news for all the others)
Think about who to take with you. It will be a long wait so company is good, and if they do have to tell you that you need more tests or that its suspicious you might want someday with you to remember exactly what was said.
Find out what sort of clinic you are going to. Is it one where they just do the scans and then there is another appointment for results or is it a one stop centre where they do it all in one day. Knowing what is going to happen can help.
and then all you can do is try to get on with your life for the next two weeks. Not easy, I see what time you were on here. But at least you have found this site. You can come one here and ask for information, people are happy to answer the silliest of questions. Everyone remember what the waiting was like at the begining. or come on again to say how worried you are or to rant or moan or whatever makes you feel better.
Hi blossom66
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums. It sounds like you’re having a pretty tough time at the moment.
As well as the help you are receieving here if you need to talk things through please do give the BCC helpline a call on 0808 800 600. The staff on the helpline are there to offer a listening a ear and provide emotional support as well as practical information.
The lines are open weekdays 9 to 5pm and Saturdays 9 to 2pm.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Hi Blossom,
you are supposed to get your appointment in 2 weeks if it’s an urgent referral (which it should be for a bc query like yours). Contact your PALS at the hospital and ask them to help you, also try the GP again.
It’s a horrible time for you, we’ve all been there. Do call the helpline they really are fantastic. And I’m sending you lots of love and positive thoughts. Let us know how you get on
xx
Thanks for all the support and kind words folks. I am so grateful for you being here.
It’s good to think that maybe the reason for the long wait is that my GP thought it is benign. But still in the back of my mind is the thought that “how can she know for sure”. It feels like such a long time since I saw her and I still have a two week wait.
Ok, sorry if this is a dumb question but what are PALS?
Hi blossom
Here’s a link the PALS website:
pals.nhs.uk/
best wishes
Lucy
Thanks guys. It seems that PALS is only available in England. We don’t seem to have it in Wales 
Hi there
I feel that’s too long to wait. I think the first thing would be to find out if your GP gave you an urgent referral.
As you say, if he thought it might be benign, that could be the cause of the delay. I don’t have a great deal of knowledge on this but it could be that if he thought the lump moved around that it was more likely benign. I have to say, my GP said that to me but still had an urgent referral and it was cancer.
If it were me, I’d make another appointment with your GP and put him on the spot a bit. Say if it’s not an urgent referral then he must be very sure it’s benign? Remind him of your history and tell him how anxious you are. If you’ve notice any change such as it getting larger or any other change then let him know that.
Contact PALs too. There’s no harm in trying to get this speeded up by different routes. They’ll soon be able to tell you if it’s because of your GP letter or the clinic itself.
The guidance on referral and being seen within 2 weeks for an urgent referral come from the NICE guidelines (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) which health services are supposed to adhere to.
Hopefully the lump is benign as most turn out to be.
take care, Elinda x
Hi Guys
Thank you all for your support and advice. I have taken it and just called the breast clinic. I asked if my GP had made an urgent referrel and they confirmed that she had.
The clinic said that they were running a week behind. I explained to the really lovely appointments clerk that it would be over a month from seeing my GP to the appointment at the breast clinic. I told her about my history of cancer in my womb.
She was very understanding and has made me an appointment for next Tuesday the 5th July at 1.45.
Thank you all again for the great advice.
x
That’s so much better. Well done you - it’s not easy trying to make ourselves do these sorts of phone calls etc.
I hope everything goes well with your appointment and that it is benign.
Please would you let us know? good wishes, Elinda x