My name is Kylie and I’m 28years old. A few weeks ago I found a hard lump in my right breast that is tender to touch. Me being me I shrugged it off and thought it was nothing. I’ve noticed since then that my breast gas gotten slightly bigger and heavier. I still ignored it. Then cutting a long story short I saw someone I know well earlier this week and she told me she’d got breast cancer. It really hit a nerve so I thought I best get checked out. I went to see my gp yesterday, she had a feel and told me could feel the lump. Without saying much else she did a referral to the breast clinic whilst I was there. She then gave me the referral form to give to the receptionist to fax over. I had a read of it and it said urgent 2 week referral, suspicion of breast cancer. Does this mean she thinks I’ve got breast cancer, or is this just procedure?
Hi there kylie,
You’re very young to have breast cancer so the it’s probably nothing to worry about but, unfortunately, it’s not totally unheard of. I’m not saying that because I think you do have cancer, I’m just sure that your GP is being very thorough and not taking any chances. I truly hope you get the all clear when go to the clinic. Come back and let us know how you get on. Sending big hugs Ann x x
Kylie I think most Gp’s refer women who present with a lump to be on the safe side, 2 weeks is the standard, I was seen within 6 days. You have done the right thing getting checked out as it would have been so easy due to your age to have dismissed it, I certainly would have when I was 28, I’m 47 now , it’s unlikely but not unheard of to be diagnosed at your age but far more likely at mine so chances are you will be just fine, try not to let your imagination run away with you and stay away from googling if you can, stick to this site or the Macmillan one where you can chat to people who have been in your shoes and won’t give you false information like many of the so called experts on other web sites Xx Jo
Hi Kylie,
As far as when you go to the breast clinic is concerned, you’ll see a breast specialist and this can be a specialist nurse or doctor. They will examine your breast and decide if you need a scan or not. Because you’re so young, your breast tissue will be quite dense, so they probably will do an ultrasound scan rather than mammogram. They may then decide to do a biopsy or fine needle aspiration (FNA). In some parts of the country, they can tell you on the day if there are cancer cells present or not and in others you have to wait a week to 10 days.
But I’m hoping that you’ll see the specialist all will be well and that there will be no need for an FNA or biopsy. Please take care and be kind to yourself over the coming days. Ann x x