Help!!
I have recieved an appointment for the breast clinic on Monday 15th October 2007. What happens??? If I have any tests will they let me know straight away?
Are you going to the Breast clinic because you found something or are you over 50 and the mammogram found something?
Either way rest assured, you will get some results straight away. If they find anything sus they will do a core biopsy and it will take 10 - 14 days for the results from that. You will be at the Breast clinic a long time and have ultrasound, mammograms and needle biopsy. The doctors are good and will tell you if they think anything is out of the ordinary. Dont be scared, better to do this than leave it a longer time and worry worry worry.
I have found a pea size Lump & I have been fast tracked by the GP to attend the brest clinic… So not sure what to expect… I am 47 years of age.
Just wanted to know what will happen at the clinic
Hi brainyblonde
I have added a link to a breast cancer publication “Referral to a breast clinic” that you may find helpful. breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/referral_07_0.pdf
Kind Regards
Sam
Moderator
Breast Cancer Care
Hi there
As mummyv says, you’ll be at the clinic for some time. Some clinics are “one stop” places where you get all the tests and results very quickly, others they need to send you to other departments.
Basically you’ll be seen by a doctor who will examine the lump. You’ll then go for a mammogram or ultrasound scan and probably return for a sample of the lump. This could be from using a fine needle or a biopsy. But, they are very professional and take a lot of care to keep it as non threatening as possible. You’ll need to return for the results and they keep this time as short as they can.
After that you’ll know what the lump is. But do remember that most lumps are nothing at all.
there is a very good leaflet here: www.breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/referral_07_0.pdf
try not to worry !
ok, so as i was looking for the link, Sam got there first - thank you Sam 
Thanks Sam
That was really useful…
Hi Brainyblonde,
I can only give you info on what happens in Nottinghamshire.
At the first appointment the breast is scanned to measure and locate the lump. They can often tell whether it is a solid lump or a cyst. A cyst can be drained by a radiologist aspirating (Sticks a needle in) the lump with a fine needle. If the lump is solid they will need a biopsy and again a fine needle is used to extract a very small sample. This feels like a very quick slap on the breast. After either procedure your breast can be left bruised for several days.
If the lump needs a biopsy it is sent off to the labs. We are then return to the clinic two days later to see a consultant who will give us the results. If the lump is benign, which most are I think you are discharged. If the lump is cancerous you will be told the next steps in treatment.At this stage a breast care nurse is assigned to you for continuous support. Treatment varies according to the size and shape of cells they found in the biopsy.
I hope this helps.
Hi Brainyblonde,
I can only tell you what happened to me i live in Cornwall.The breast clinic here is a one stop clinic .First i had a mamagram ,then an ultra sound, followed by fine needle biopsys ,then finally core biopsys I was then told i would have my results within 45 mins . After about 30 mins i was called in to see the consultant with a breast care nurse and given the test results it all happened pretty fast and at the time i felt it was a lot to take in so quickly but i guess on hindsight it would have been more difficult to have had to wait for results to come back .Try and remember most lumps are nothing to worry about and i hope everything will turn out fine for you. Good luck
All the Best
Love Lindiloo x
hi brainyblonde
at my appointment I first had a nurse check all my details and feel for the lump. Then the doctor came in and felt the lump. Because I am under 35 I didn’t have a mammogram but an ultrasound. The lady who did that took her time and I could see the lump clearly and could see her measuring the lump. She wouldn’t tell me anything but went off to get the doctor.
I then had a core biopsy… where they use a springloaded thick hollow needle. I had a local anaesthetic which DID hurt when going in but the core biopsy didn’t hurt at the time. Just a lot of pressure and it makes a loud noise which does startle you. Had to keep really still.
After that (I had it done 4 times in the one lump) I had sterri strips put on and a plaster. I had some bruising for a while and some pain but not too bad and didn’t even take ibuprofen.
Got my results over the phone two days later and formally discharged. That was my experience. I am sure it’s done slightly different in other places. I was probably there 2 hours all together. Took hubby with me.
All the best,
Nanny
Hi Brainyblonde
Just thought I would let you know about another type of breast clinic, we don’t have a one stop clinic, so I was referred to my local hospital to a surgeon. After seeing my GP I had to wait a month to see the surgeon as I was classed as non urgent being 41! The surgeon looked at the lump then tried to take a Fine needle aspiration, the results came back 3 weeks later. I also had a mammogram and USS (at teaching hospital) in the 3 weeks between seeing surgeon and getting results of FNA. When I went back for the results the surgeon took 6 core biopsies & bloods. Had to wait a further 2 weeks for results which were in-conclusive. So back to teaching hospital (2 hours away) for USS guided core biopsies x 2. A further 2 weeks later called back to breast clinic for results. Started chemo 1 week later.
From seeing my GP to my diagnosis was 3 months - I really hope yours is all on one day as the other ladies have described.
Good luck with your appointment.
Lynn
Hi Braineyblonde
Looking through the previous posts, it sounds as if we have similar experiences at the clinic. I was referred after routine screening. Had ultrasound (which showed cysts) and core biopsy for calcifications. I was at the clinic for a couple of hours, although the actual procedure took about 45 minutes… If you have core biopsy, the spring loaded needle does make quite a noise, but the doctor demonstrated it before, so the noise didn’t make me jump! All the staff were really great throughout and I found myself watching the whole show on the computer screen as they located the calcifications.
The difficult bit was waiting for results. We don’t have a one-stop clinic, and I left knowing it would be about 10 days before my results came through, then they would have to be reviewed by the clinic and relayed to the surgeon at my local hospital. Then I get to hear the results. It took nearly 3 weeks and that was the hard bit, the waiting. I really hope its not that long for you. My results showed benign changes.
Good luck.
Hi all
Thank you so much for all that info on your own experiences… I am really worried and hope that my hospital is a one stop breast clinic. From finding the lump last Thursday night to waiting until Monday for an appointment is really scary… I think I hvae had about 8 hrs sleep.
I know I have probably put myself through undue stress and that hopefully it will be a cyst or a benign lump (please god) but it hasn’t stopped me worrying…
It is really good to have a site like this with forums to have the support of other women who have had similar experiences… It does help to talk to others.
I am scared to talk to my husband and my grown up children. They are worried sick and if I express my fears too… it may make them worse… I will feel so bad if I have scared the hell out of them for a cyst.
Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to reply to my question and I will keep you up to date…
Thank you so much
Lynne x
All the best for Monday Lynne. I will be thinking of you.
love
Vanessa
Good luck for Monday Lynn.
Mine is one-stop clinic too and I was told that before I went. Why don’t you call your GP practice tomorrow and ask if your’s is?
Lola x
Hi brainyblonde,
All the best for Monday, I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts, as you know I’m set to go for my testing on the 23rd but I’m fortunate enough to be going to a one stop clinic, I hope it turns out that your clinic is one stop too.
All the best
Debbi xx
Hi BB,
I just wanted to wish you all the very best for your appt on Monday. I too had a v.quick referral and was at the breast clinic just a few days after my gp referred me. I couldn’t work the few days before though as I was worried sick!
I live in Shropshire and my appt was at a ‘one-stop shop’, although I didn’t know this at the time. I was 34, I had several mammos on both sides, my lump was on the right. After the mammos I was sent for ultrasounds, then I was marked all over my right breast and I started to get worried! Next I was whisked off to see the consultant who took a fine needle aspiration (FNA) and several biopsies. He didn’t mince his words, for which I was very grateful! He told me he was incredibly worried about my lump and would have some provisional results back within the hour!!! Me and my boyfriend were still trying to remain positive at this point, although tears were shed!!
I went back an hour later and unfortunately for me the news was not so good. However, this does not mean that this will be the case for you, and I will be keeping everything crossed that the news for you is good!
Take care and do let us know how you get on,
Kelly
-x-
Hi everyone
Well GOOD NEWS!!! had Mammogram & then was told I needed an Ultrasound so started to get a bit worried… I had multiple cysts in both breast the lump I found was over 1.5 inches and a fine needle was inserted to drain the cyst from my left breast and then whilst the ultrasound was in situ they drained a deep seated cyst from the right breast too… I have been told that I have several small cysts in each breast but I must not assume that when/if I find a lump that it is a cyst but to sek medical help straight away.
has anyone else that this problem… The consultant said he had never seen so many cysts!!!
Lynne
Hi Lynne
I’m so so SO pleased, what a relief eh?, I was thinking of you all day yesterday.
Debbi xx
Hi Lynne
That’s great news, what a relief. Have heard other ladies on here that say they have multiple cysts, try under ‘benign breast conditions’ as I know little about cysts personally.
Lynn