Hello everyone.
I’m having a really hard time coping with waiting for a breast care clinic appointment next week. I went to my GP last Tuesday after finding a lump in my breast and she referred me on the 2 week pathway. My hospital has given me an appointment for a week today.
I’ve actually been before to the family history clinic. On my dad’s side of the family his mum, all but one of his many aunts, his grandma and a couple of cousins have all had breast cancer - many of them died with it. And my dad has terminal prostate cancer. When I saw them the clinical genetics team managed to find genetics tests from some other members of the family who had already been through assessment, and they have all been negative. The genetist told me it’s very likely it is genetic given how many women have had it, but because we can’t test for a gene in me I’m classed as moderate risk. As I’m 33 that means no screening until 40.
I was left feeling really on my own and worried, but there wasn’t a lot I could do. That was about 3 years ago. Now that I’ve found a lump, and my GP has felt it too, it feels like the inevitable is happening. I feel scared and angry. I know even if I’d had MRI screening it might not have picked anything up and I could have been in the same position I am now. And I know it is most likley a benign lump. But I keep thinking about what will happen if it’s not, and how cross I am that I wasn’t given the option of screening. I realise theres a good chance of false positives, but I’m an adult with mental capacity and I understand what false positives mean. Sorry - this sounds like a rant. Maybe it’s easier to be angry than it is to be scared. I just want this appointment to come around quicker!
Hi swmina
Welcome to the forums, it sounds like you’re having a pretty tough time at the moment. Whilst you are waiting for the other users to reply with their support and knowledge you might find it helpful to talk things through with a member of staff on the BCC helpline. Here you can share your thoughts and concerns with someone who will offer you a listening ear as well as emotional support and practical information. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 and lines are open weekdays 9 to 5pm and Saturday 10 to 2pm.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Hi Swimia,
I have had breast cancet recently myself and mine isnt the gene, noone in my family have had any cancer but as i have two friends with the gene i do understand your feelings, One of my friends whos mum and aunt both had breast cancer, and was gene tested had her breasts removed at 25, as she had gene, as did her cousin and sister, who both had breasts removed too, they found cancerous lump in her sisters breast at the time, They all ok at moment, but my friend will soon have to have her ovaries removed, as her sister and cousin already have. I have another friend whos 2 aunts,and 4 cousins all had cancer, breast and ovary, her mum supposedly didnt, so they told her didnt need test, She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer which had spread same week as i was with breast can cer, and had to have operation to remove ovaries womb and part of bowel, and have lung clearance. So like you it seems she wasnt treated correctly. Ive another friend whos mum and gran both had breast cancer and she cannot get tested, is 40 this year and has been offerred a mammogram once a year only, It seems very hard to get this test, its easier i believe if you have blood from a close relative with it, as my first friend did,. otherwise i believe it involves much more complicated testing, and i suppose costs a lot more. Surely this is something the NHS should be funding, breast cancer is becoming so common anyway,this testing should be a priority.You have a right to be angry, as have my two other friends, june