Do you know, its amazing how many times we read people saying this here…
I’m going to feel really silly if I am wasting valuable time at the clinic
The breast clinic is for all women who have symptoms that need checking, benign troublesome conditions are the main reason they see people. Yes, they do find some cases of bc, but they aren’t called the ‘breast cancer clinic’. You have been referred, you have a troublesome skin reaction which your GP wants checked, and you have every reason to be seen and it won’t be a waste as that is what the NHS and clinic are there for! Feeling apologetic/silly are not required :smileywink::
Now, the clinic appointment. I can only tell you really about the experience that most seem to have, and I had. Some clinics are ‘one stop clinics’, where they will also do the necessary tests and biopsy at the same visit, IF it were necessary. Usually you are seen firstly by the surgeon or oncologist running the clinic. They will do a manual examination and ask you some questions, for example, how long has it been there, what other symptoms do you have, have you noticed X or Y. Probably following that, if they think you should be checked further, you will have a mammogram/and/or ultrasound with a radiographer.
After the mammogram the consultant reviews the images taken. If at this point there is concern that there is something there which they wish to check further then it is possible that they will do a core biopsy/needle biopsy (although there are different types of biopsy that they can do, so don’t be surprised if yours doesn’t follow exactly this pattern). A core biopsy is done with a local anaesthetic injection, and is often done by the radiographer using the ultrasound machine to guide. Just because they do a biopsy it doesn’t mean they are sure you have bc, it just means that there is something there and they need to be exactly certain what it is, and only a tissue sample will give those definite results. For some people the process described so far is a bit more broken up, they are seen at different appointments for the mammogram and then biopsy. If you do have a biopsy then you don’t get the results on the same day, so another agonising wait I’m afraid (but you can always come here and chat with us during this time :o). The results can take approx. a week to come back, but this too varies in different areas of the country and depends on how busy pathology departments are.
I know its a horrible time,waiting for that appointment. Everyone here, who has either been given the ‘all clear’ or been given a diagnosis will tell you how staggeringly painful and tough it is. I think, and hope, I’ve answered everything…please do say if I can help further ?