Hi,
I found a large lump in my left breast last week Friday. That breast used to be quite a bit smaller than the other one but they are now both the same size. I’m really bad with self examination and don’t check nearly as often as i should so this lump could have been there for some time, i have no idea. The lump is hard and does not move. I was given a GP appointment the same day and they were concerned so referred me for a triple test on the 2w urgent referral pathway. The GP said i would likely receive a call on the Monday to arrange an appointment, which i thought was really quick. I didn’t hear anything on Monday, so yesterday i called the breast clinic. They said they have my referral but they are inundated at the moment and there are no appointments available at all. They said they hope to have some appointments open up in 3-4 weeks time, so i should receive a call in 3-4 weeks to then make an appointment (which will likely be another few weeks wait after that).
My fear is due to what’s happened since i first discovered the lump. So Friday i first noticed it, then yesterday i noticed another lump in my armpit that wasn’t there on Friday. Then this morning, the lump in the breast is even bigger and the breast itself looks even larger. It is painful when pressed. The lump under my arm, which i presume is a lymph node, is also sore. Is it normal for all these changes to be happening so quickly? Would that point more towards it being a benign lump or a cancerous one? If it does turn out to be cancer, and as it seems to be growing so quickly(whatever it is), would the delay in being investigated impact the outcome?
Other things of note; I am 48, I’m on hrt. I do still have periods but they are sporadic. My last one ended a 10 days ago. Over the past 9 months i have lost 24 kgs and i have no idea why, I’ve not changed anything. The weightloss is been looked in to but no cause found yet. I’m suffering really badly with fatigue too.
My dad died from oesophagus cancer, his sister(my aunt) died from breast cancer.
I have a really bad feeling about this, but I don’t know if that’s just a gut feeling or if I’m just catastrophising.
I’m so scared that whatever it is seems to be growing very quickly and the delay in finding out what it is night make the fifteens as to whether it’s treatable or not. I always thought breast cancer grows quite slowly so I’m panicking that this is all moving so quickly.
Am i just being paranoid and anxious? I’m not usually an anxious person.
I haven’t told anyone else yet as don’t want to worry anyone before i know what it is, but that means I’m in my own head about it.
Sorry to hear about the wait for your referral, there is a kwa that they should give you a date in two weeks, my lump was hard too but was painless not like yours so maybe it’s good sign and it’s just a cyst don’t over Google it as it’s will drive you crazy.
Hopefully nothing to worry about
Sorry to hear you’re going through this. The waiting is the worst. Are there any other hospitals in your area that you could ask your GP to refer to, in case they have a quicker date?
Sorry to hear you are going through this, thinking of you.
I am in a similar position in terms of waiting, I was told following my referral and selection of hospital last Thursday I would be called on Friday and offered an appointment within two weeks. I heard nothing and gave it all of Monday thinking I may be called, but wasn’t. I contacted yesterday to be told there were no clinics on and that I would most likely be seen nearer three weeks.
An appointment appeared on my NHS app yesterday afternoon for the 24th June, which will be 2 weeks 5 days from the point of referral, I know it’s not massively out of the 2 week window but it all adds to the anxiety. I was thinking of ringing and asking to be put on a cancellation list but I doubt there is that option.
Thank you for your advice, I just called and they have added me to their short notice waiting list if anything comes up.
If I didn’t stick with the 24th June, next appointment they could offer was 1st July, I’m sure the 24th will come round soon enough, back to work next week after annual leave this week so I’m sure that will distract me
Just to say keep checking the NHS app as if you go to your referral, then click into it, it should give you the option to change, and any cancellations should show up there
Thank you for your reply. I’m not aware of any other hospitals nearby that have a breast clinic. I have however just received an appointment for the 18th June thankfully.
Thank you to all of you who have replied and good luck to the ones that are also awaiting an appointment. Sending positive thoughts to you all.
I’ve just been given an appointment for the 18th June thankfully. I thought I’d feel a bit better once i had an appointment, but now I’m panicking even more. I guess it just makes it feel more real.
What I found is that due to pressures of capacity, the 2 weeks is from when they ring you for an appointment, not from when the GP refers you. They get around the 2 week part by taking longer to ring you back.
I’d say your symptoms all together ad up to something of deep concern, especially the weight loss. The current timeline is too long under the circumstances. Best bet, bsck to GP for a referral to another hospital, or if you have the funds to go private, do that. You need seeing asap.
Thankfully, I had a call today and they’ve found me an appointment for Wednesday next week as they weren’t happy waiting so long. It’s kind of making me panic more as it feels more real.
Hi, I managed to get a cancellation using the number on the referral letter I think it was. I called at 11am and the lady said she could take my details if any slots came up and luckily she called me back at 1pm for a same day appointment.
Sometimes it depends who you speak to (as I found out) so it’s worth calling two or three times a day to check for any cancellations and hopefully they will take your details.
I should also ring up and offer to take a cancellation - the NHS is obliged to try to fill appointments that become vacant. Sometimes your GP has to sign off on you getting a cancellation space but as they are struggling to get you in on the 2 week pathway there probably won’t be a need for that. The worst thing is the waiting and nobody can tell you what it is until you get the results but maybe you would feel better if you talked through with the Nurses on the helpline on 0808 800 6000 from 9am tomorrow . Xx
You’re welcome. Been checking every day myself. Mines on the 17th which is bang 2 weeks from when the Gp sent the referral but just want to get it out the way, the waiting is really getting me down and I can’t focus on anything else!
I completely understand where you are coming from, it’s so difficult to concentrate on anything other than the pending appointment and the continuous ‘what is?’
Keeping everything crossed for you next week, I hope everything goes well
