Hi all, looking for some support and reassurance and thought this might be the best place! I found a small hard lump (smaller than a pea) just to the left of my nipple about 4 weeks ago. I wasn’t very concerned and thought it would go away (as these things sometimes do) but saw my GP last week when it didn’t. He had referred me to my local one stop breast clinic and I have an appointment on Friday. I’ve gone from being not particularly worried to finding I’m thinking about it a lot and just want Friday to be here now. I’m 31 and my mum had breast cancer at 38 (DCIS I think). I’ve played everything down to my family and don’t really feel I can be open with them about my worries as I don’t want them to worry unnecessarily. Can anyone tell me if I’ll get my results the same day at a one stop clinic? How long might I be there for? I’m going on my own as my husband will have to look after our 2 young girls. Thanks in advance x
Hi Boo and welcome to the BCC forums
You have come to the right place for support and shared experiences, in addition, our helpline is open 9-5 weekdays and 10-2 Saturday on 0808 800 6000 so please do call if you feel it would help to talk your concerns over
I am posting a link to our ‘Worried about breast cancer’ page, here you will also find a publication called ‘Your breast clinic appointment’ which may answer some of your queries:
take care
Lucy
Hi sorry you are in the ’ waiting room…’
my one stop clinic gave me the answer on the day, half an hour after the biopsies, which were done by the scan lady who had already said suspected cancer as soon as she did scan.
my mammo didn’t show lumps so insist on a scan if it doesn’t show anything.
all hospitals have different ways but think if it is a one stop clinic, then you will know on the day. Try and take a friend and get chauffeur driven in case they do biopsies.
good luck
I agree with Rara. Please take a friend with you, or better still find another babysitter for your children and take your husband. You need to remember everything that is said to you, and believe me, you won’t unless you have an extra pair of ears with you.
You should be given a mammogram first, and then an ultrasound. If they suspect something, they will tell you what they suspect, but won’t be able to give much detail. They will then do a biopsy. You may get the biopsy result after a short wait in situ, or you may have to wait a week for the result.
My biopsy was OK. It didn’t hurt as such but was a bit uncomfortable. They do give you a local anaesthetic. As I was told there and then I had cancer (but no other details as I had to wait a week for the biopsy result) I was in shock and would not have been able to drive home.
Good luck xxx
I agree with Rara and Lola - please try and take someone with you. No matter how prepared you think you may be it is still a shock when they say the word “cancer”. I was diagnosed at my local Breast Screening Clinic (Jarvis Centre - they are amazing!) on the day I had the tests. I had a mammogram and ultrasound and when they said I needed a core biopsy I knew straight away it wasn’t looking good. I asked them to tell me and even when she said it was “malignant” and “99% cancer” I still argued with her and came out in shock. I drove myself home - I don’t know how - and then collapsed in a heap.
I had to wait a week for the biopsy results to come back in to confirm grade and type etc. It takes this long to grow and test the sample so you will have to wait if they do a biopsy for the specifics and any treatment cannot start until the doctors have this information. I know you are scared and worried but the sooner it is checked the better as if you need treatment you don’t want to delay things.
So please try and get someone to go with you. Even if it is nothing to worry about, the anxiety and the worry of “what if?” is difficult enough.
Thanks for the replies, I suppose I was working on the basis that it isn’t anything serious so I’ll be ok on my own. Just don’t want to make a fuss about nothing. But then if it is cancer then you’re all probably right that I would need somebody there. Can any of you tell me what your lumps were like? When I first found it I thought this is not what cancer would be like, which sounds silly now really.
Hi Boo
Very wise words from the ladies in the know (above posts).
I am in the same boat as you - appt for MRI scan on Thursday and I know I’ll have to wait until next Friday for the results. I can so relate to your thoughts alternating between “I won’t worry until I know for sure” and “What if it is the dreaded c-word?”. It is the uncertainty that drives you mad. Others have reassured me it is normal and that they felt the same.
It was very helpful to me when someone pointed out that I (and you) could still be the lucky ones who get an all clear. It does happen! So, I would say “Yes, inform yourself of the possibilities and what to do if all goes pearshaped, but hold on for dear life to that hope that it may be nothing! And don’t go alone - you might need someone to help you celebrate the good news.”
All the best
ThinLizzie
Thanks thinlizzie reassuring to know its normal to be swinging from one extreme to the other. My letter came today and has a leaflet with it explaining that all tests are done there and then and will leave with diagnosis and a plan whatever the outcome so suppose I’m fortunate my wait isn’t going to be long now. Hope all goes well at your MRI scan and that we are both lucky ones
Boo
My one stop clinic at Salford Royal does mammogram and ultrasound on the day but biopsy if necessary is usually done next day. This is mainly because the clinic is just so busy. From first visit on a Monday through biopsy and results to surgery was only 10 days.
I’ve also been to the one stop several times previously with various lumps that were all benign cysts and had them drained and told not cancer on the day.
Good luck, please come back and let us know how you get on, you too thinlizzie.
X Yvonne
Sadly all our lumps are different! Don’t compare yourself to others and do not google anything!!
keep busy in other ways and again, good luck at your appointment
Dear Boo2003,
I wish you best of luck with your appointment. As said in an earlier post, all lumps are different. I too had very hard pea sized lumps and was very embarrased even going to the GP knowing that most women present with much larger lumps. Although they did turn out to be cancerous much to the suprise of the doctors as well as mysel, it was caught nice and early so I have not had anywhere near as traumatic ride as so many women I have met.
Will keep fingers and toes crossed for you and ditto aall of above, take a friend if possible.
Deborah
Hi just wanted to let you know that all was ok at my appointment today thankfully. Hopefully I won’t be there again until my screening starts early at 40. Thank you all for your advice and support xx
Hi Boo
So glad to hear you are a “lucky one”! Hope to join your status on Friday… So reassuring to hear good news!
X
So happy to hear your news! Yay!
all the very best x
Wonderful news. x
Fantastic News - stay well
X Yvonne