Breast Cancer Now Forum

Cariad glad to hear you've got your appointment date.  Have you got something good to read to take with you - nothing too heavy because it's a busy place, but something as there is a lot of hanging around.  I had no phone signal in the department I was in.  Bonbon - hope you get your appointment soon!  ... View more

Hi and welcome to the forum Waiting for appointments is terrible.  I'm just out the other side having been given the all clear.  All I can advise is to try and keep busy.  Maybe download an app like duolingo or a game to your phone so if you're tempted to Google you've something to distract you.  I looked up research for a friend's assignment to keep me off it as much as possible.  90% of lumps are non cancerous.  Try not to Google and try not to worry (I know easier said than done).   I'm not post menopause (I'm 40) but my lump turned out to be a cyst even though it was an unusual shape and they found a cyst in the other breast which I hadn't felt and even though the aspirate was different, it was almost a normal cyst. Hope you're seen quickly! Let us know if you have any questions and good luck!  ... View more

So sorry to hear this Elizabeth.  What a shock.  Please keep using the forums for support. Xxx ... View more

Thanks cariad.   No my results are due 15/1 as they took some samples for pathology.  I got the impression that if they hadn't needed to I'd have heard on the same day.  ... View more

My gp said to call them back if I hadn't heard in 10 days, but in that time I had a letter to chase it myself, and then I gave the letter an extra day than it said due to bank hols and had contact then.  It was all very efficient.  I don't know how it is elsewhere though.  I'm in north/midlands and I think covid has been worse in London so far.  Hope you get your answers fast.  I'm 40 and everything I've read has said cysts (which are benign) are really common in our age group.  ... View more

Hi Waiting is really worrying.  Remember 90% of lumps are benign and try to stay off Google. I found my lump on 17/12 and saw gp same day and despite all the bank holidays was seen within the 2 week period on 30/12. I don't know if thats changed since?  Hope you get as timely a response. I work in social care which may be a bit different to health but we're still working through the recent lockdown changes.   When I went to clinic - everyone masked up and plenty of hand San points - marked out areas in the waiting area to show spaces to sit to distance.  Staff all wearing appropriate PPE. One way system in place. Mammogram plates appeared well streilised between uses though I imagine that's standard.  Hope you get seen in a timely way and it's nothing to worry about.  ... View more

This sounds stressful for you.  If you're not sure, I'd say book in with a GP for them to consider your symptoms and discuss with you.  This is your first port of call either way.  If it's bothering you it's worth getting it checked out.  90% of breast lumps are benign but every one of those did exactly the right thing getting checked out.  There is a helpline on this site and an ask the nurses section if you want a more professional opinion.  Hope you get some answers soon x   ... View more

Thank you delly - I'm on 15th, though I imagine my face to face appointment may change now we're back in lockdown.  Did you get yours on time Elizabeth?    ... View more

Hope it goes well.  I'm in the waiting game too so not really able to offer much advice.  But just giving our best thoughts.  I've seen some people say ask if you can record it so you can go back to it if necessary.  I'd say make sure you know who to call if questions come to you after.  Xx ... View more

Mine was all at a one stop shop,but I know there are more mammogram units than breast clinics so it maybe was to do with local commissioning? In my area the ccg that commissions our mobile mammogram units doesn't have a local breast clinic so the GPS have to commission from another ccg.  Doesn't make the waiting any easier though does it?  Hope you get your appointment through soon.  X   ... View more

Hi  Just a quick update.  I've done my appointment and am now onto waiting round 2 for results in 3 weeks.  Here's some info about how mine went incase it helps others.  - I was there 4 hours total.  There is a lot of waiting around.  I could read my book I had on my kindle on my phone but has no signal (I've read half a book)  -first I saw the doctor who did a physical examination and drew on me in biro. She said that I'd have a mammogram on both breasts, an ultrasound on the biro area and then the radiologist would probably send me home.  - I had the mammogram - the mammographer was lovely and friendly.  - when I went to the ultrasound the radiographer was clicking around a lot on some images on the screen (maybe the mammograms).  He then ultrasounded both breasts and said he aspirated cysts on both.  This wasn't painful but he did seem to need to dig around a bit.  The stuff on the right was bright red, the stuff on the left was yellower.  He said both need to go to pathology. -the radiography assistant said I needed to see the doctor again and to wait.  The radiography assistant then came and said they'd decided to do another mammogram and to wait for that instead.  The clinic was really busy when I arrived and by now was just me and one other.  - the mammographer said she needed to do a 3d xray just on my left side.  - then I had to wait for the doctor who was a lot more friendly than the first time, and said that the radiographer thought the cyst on my left was an unusual shape and that I need to come back in 2 weeks for a face to face appointment for results. My results card says to call the day before so I'm guessing if all's fine they may just tell me over the phone then.  So just over 2 more weeks of trying not to worry and distracting myself! I have a lot of confidence that they were very thorough at least!  ... View more

Hi Kirsty.  90% of breast lumps are benign. Try and hold that thought. You're doing exactly the right thing seeing your doc.  I have a lump.  Although I had to log an online request, then do a telephone appointment, I was still seen face to face.  At my surgery there was a maximum number allowed in the waiting area and I had to spend some time in a tented porch.  Then it was face coverings, hand gel and temperature checks.  For me GP did a physical examination and said as there was no redness or heat she didn't think there was an infection.  I've been referred in as I think is standard and have my appointment on weds, so I'm not the right person to answer questions on that stage.  You're doing the right thing getting checked out.  Ariom x ... View more

Thank you both for your kind words.  I didn't find Dr Google too bad but maybe that's because I Google my symptoms (painful breast lump) and stuck to sites I know like the nhs (which told me most are benign and gave me information about cysts etc) and then found this wonderful place.  It's tricky because my instincts on things are always to read as much as I can, but on this one I think it's just looking at the next step and just seeing what's straight infront, which is maybe why I'm thinking up trivial questions about the appointment. So, I've been told to allow 3 hours, does that normally run over or is that a maximum?  I'm guessing a lot of that is waiting around? Are mobile phones allowed or should I take a book?  I know we need to mask up - are we allowed to temporarily remove the mask to have a drink? Or do we need to go outside for that? And thank you again for your kindness.  I imagine a waiting for appointments forum needs kind people to look over it as people waiting for appointments probably don't have the answers for each other and don't need the forum once they've got the answers!  ... View more

Thanks evie.  It's reassuring to read others experiences.  I've found it helpful to scroll back a couple of pages and read others stories so will make sure I come back afterwards and update too.  ... View more