Hello all,
Unfortunately and naively I do not regularly check my breasts, even though I know this is important, I have never really known what to do or what to look for.
I was taking a relaxing bath as I had the place to myself so there was no rush. Whilst taking my time to moisturise i felt a lump in my right breast, i checked again brushing my hands over the same part on each breast to see if they were the same, and they weren’t. I was menstruating so i left it and put it down to that, 1 week later it was still there so i booked an appointment with my GP.
After waiting 40 minutes past my appointment time I was in his surgery no longer than 4 minutes. I was worried and expecting the worst, but expected some clear explanations and reassurance. I received none. I told him what i thought i had found, he tapped into his keyboard, asked if i still smoked and then gave me a tape measure and asked for my waist measurement. He then said he is referring me, but didn’t say where to. When i asked if it would be the hospital his reply was “it will be somewhere in manchester.” I left feeling confused, fobbed off and worried as to why he didn’t examine me! Is this normal? Only I have read a couple of case studies and both women said they were examined before being referred. I was given no information as to what the outcome could be, so I have had to trawl the internet to see all the different possibilities.
I have my appointment for referral on Monday evening and am extremely nervous, my partner is being very supportive but I haven’t told anyone else yet as I don’t want them to worry unnecessarily. There was no pain to begin with but for the last 2 days both breasts have been really tender and feel almost bruised. My period isn’t due for another week.
If anyone can fill in any gaps for me I would be truly grateful, also should I complain about my GP or has he treated me in the normal way?
Thanks in advance for any responses.
Hi Minx96,
I am sorry you are having such a bad time of it and I am sorry that you were treated that way, I think the GP didn’t handle you case very well and the strange thing about it is what has the size of you waist got to do with the lump in your breast.
In my experience GP’s don’t tend too say what it might be I don’t think they are aloud to do that, but he should’ve examined you. Just a bit of advice don’t go on the internet you will make yourself ill I did make myself so worried about the whole thing it is not good I know the feeling of needing too know, just be carefull.
xx Mirror
Hi Mirror,
Thank you for your fast response, my partner and I were confused about the waist measurement too. But as I said he offered no information and I could have asked questions if I had been in the right frame of mind. I know they are only allowed to say certain things but just a little info maybe about what will happen at the referral would have been nice. I am hoping I have a better experience with the consultant on Monday, I am going to try to write some questions down to take with me.
The internet information I have been looking at doesn’t involve just cancer, I have been looking at other possible outcomes such as a cyst and other long words I can’t remember, I am trying to remain positive and hoping whatever the outcome I am equipped to deal with it.
Thank you so much for your kind words x
The waist measurement may have to do with assessing your risk for bc, especially as he asked about smoking too, so this seems to have been his train of thought. Carrying extra abdominal weight and smoking are known risk factors. I have never heard of anyone being asked for this measurement though - and I would have thought it would be obvious from just looking at someone.
I have a GP a bit like yours who is non communicative - it can be very frustrating. But in all honesty there probably isn’t much more he could have told you anyway - the breast clinic you were referred to will be much better, I promise!
Try not to worry too much - easily said I know - but most lumps are not cancer. You will be examined on Monday, and have a chance to ask questions. I hope the news is good - and if so, maybe this is the spur you need to give up the dreaded weed!
This is despicable. I am furious on your behalf. Yes you MUST complain about his behaviour. How dare he treat a patient in such a cavalier and unprofessional manner.
These people are making about £100,000 a year.
This is NHS advice on making a formal complaint - nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1083.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=158
Hi Flinty,
Thanks for the reassurance, I am trying to remain open minded but the closer i get to the appointment the more nervous i am getting. This is my 2nd scare in a matter of months. In March I had an abnormal result back from my cervical screening which resulted in a colposcopy and biopsy. Results came back as high CIN 1,2 & 3. It was all removed. But I can’t help thinking the two are connected. Needless to say I have stocked up on smoking patches and just need to set a quit date. I don’t want to sound like I am making excuses, although I probably am, but the more I stress about my situation the more inclined I am to light up. How dumb is that?
Msmolly,
Thank you for your support, my partner was with me at the appointment and I felt like I had not been treated well but didn’t say until he mentioned how furious he was. However, he can get upset easily lol so I wasn’t sure if this was how it worked now. I am one of those people who avoids the doctors unless absolutely necessary as I don’t want to be seen as a time waster or hypochondriac, years can go by before I need to visit.
You would think they would see this on my file and realise I don’t come unless there is something wrong. I feel bedside manner is one main attribute required for the job, but then i figured, after my visit, that maybe I was being old fashioned.
Thanks for the link x
You don’t want to give yourself a lot of stress at this time - just focus on finding out about your lump. But a short to-the-point note sent to the practice manager will force them to address this issue. I don’t suppose you are the first patient he’s upset. Doctors aren’t gods and his conduct is remarkably unprofessional.
Good luck with it all.
What a joke!! As msmolly advised “not to give myself a lot of stress at this time” I decided to pursue a letter of complaint once I had concentrated on the matter in hand! Unfortunately for me I now have an extensive letter of complaint to write and I am no further on than I was when I saw my GP 2 weeks ago.
I have battled with all kinds of emotions over the last week as my appointment for the referral drew closer, on the one hand trying to remain positive and keep an open mind and on the other preparing myself for the worst. As much as I didn’t expect results today I did not expect the event that occured!
On arriving at the centre to which my GP referred me, I was told my referral was not accepted and my GP had been given this information so he could contact me and inform me. My referal had not been accepted as they do not deal with my situation!! Confused and stressed and out of pocket for the travel fees, I left and made a call to my GPs surgery. When I asked why I hadn’t been told, they replied they had not had any contact with the surgery. Then I asked what was the current status, what were they going to do with me, they assured me that they would refer me to the local hospital and I should receive contact from the hospital within the next few days!!
I first reported my lump 2 weeks ago and as yet noone has even asked me to remove my top, I don’t know how long I will have to wait for an appointment now. The GPs surgery said they were treating my case as urgent, however I feel there is a complete lack of professionalism and am now considering changing my GP, to start this process again!
Feel at a complete loss right now and I am praying to god that this does not turn out to be serious as time is being wasted here due to incompetance.
Sorry, I just had to have a rant.
hi minx…so sorry to hear the trouble you are having…i am in a very similar position…i went to my gp on the 24th of may with a lump that i had found in march and has been growing ever since and after another 2 consultations with different gp’s i am still waiting for appointment at my local breast clinic…i was iniitially placed on the routine list(11 weeks waiting time) but hopefully this last referral will get me on the urgent list…my first appointment consisted of the doctor not even getting out of her chair,having a little prod with my bra on and despite me being in a very upset state i was sent out being told they are seeing people quick so don’t worry…the second gp did examine me but felt the need to prescribe me some antibiotics for who knows what and urgent referral which was downgraded back to routine by the clinic consultant( despite it having grown)…then last monday i went back again,got a really thorough examination and the gp was really nice and understanding…so yet another urgent referral was done which should have left the surgery on tuesday but the typist was on holiday so it’s actually only gone today…i too am going to be complaining about the service i have recieved…the waiting and being messed around is so frustrating…
don’t be afraid to search the website either it’s not there to scare or worry you…i have found all the sections on this website excellent especially as it doesn’t only cover cancer…i found it reassuring to read all the other things that a breast lump can be,and that there is to more to a lump than the dreaded C
and don’t be sorry for ranting this forum is great for a little rant and in my experience you always get positive messages and good advice from the lovely girls on here…
hope it all goes well for you…
Kerry…xx