Disappointed and struggling with process so far

Have I got breast cancer? Appointments and waiting for test results
1

Hi All,

Feeling very lost and worried and feel I am now in no man’s land trying to get answers due to what happened at my breast screening appointment.

I went to my doctors 4 weeks ago now regarding a change to my breast and what felt like a lump with extreme pain which was not improving or going away.

I was then referred to breast clinic where I had my appointment on Monday where the letter said I would be there for 3 hours however was in and out in 10 minutes with a leaflets on how to deal with breast pain and how to check breasts as there was no radiologists in for ultrasound.

I detailed I had the following conditions

  • Swollen breasts
  • Lumps and tenderness now on both breast started on right (pain now from 6 - 12 o’clock) and now lump and shooting pain on left breast
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Pain constantly (below and all around chest)
  • Heavy arm
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Not sleeping well
  • Stretch marks
  • Nausea
  • Motion sickness
  • Pain lying or touching them
  • Loss of strength

And changes have been increasingly worse as weeks go on to the point I have now been signed off of my work as it is affecting me doing day to day things.

I have phoned up to chase up my appointment as felt nurses where not listening to anything I was saying and was just in a rush to get me out of the room. I phoned radiologist today and got told breast clinic put me on routine appointment which is not going to be for another 4 weeks. They are trying to push this through due to now signing me off work.

I am only 29 years old and I am struggling now to do daily tasks and take care of my family due to the above and felt so down that I felt disregarded at breast clinic especially saying at my age nothing to worry about.

Is there any support on what next steps I should get to get my lumps and lymph nodes tested to see what is going on ?

I am sadly at stage I will happily pay for private screening to find out what is going on with my body as I can’t wait another 8 weeks when I know how quickly conditions are changing.

Sorry I am just at loss of what to do and it is really taking its toll on me

2

Don’t let it go, you know your body better than anyone.
If they weren’t able to do ultrasounds or mammograms then it doesn’t sound like they’ve assessed much.
Return to your GP if need be, let them know your referral to breast clinic wasn’t thorough or completed.
I’m shocked they didn’t give you an explanation for sending you away if they didn’t pinpoint your pain and its cause, especially if they’re going to try to fob you off with your age being a reason to make it routine.

Hopefully it IS something else, but causing you this much stress isn’t right.

1 Like
3

So sorry to hear this - please persevere, you know your body! I had 3 trips to the breast clinic before I got anywhere so I feel your pain!
I was turned away first time after mammogram was “clear” despite worsening symptoms. I had to go through GP again and put back on two week pathway. Second visit they refused to do scans as radiologist couldn’t access my previous ones so sent away again. I lodged a complaint with PALS at my hospital and received a call the next day from breast care offering me a return appointment within a few days.
It shouldn’t be like this but unfortunately is quite a common occurrence at my hospital.
Good luck!