Hello - I just had an appointment following a 2WW referral for a lump in my right breast and left feeling less than reassured. A bit of background, I had a grade 2 tumour in my left breast back in 2015 at age 44 (formally diagnosed a few weeks later just after my 45th BDay). Family history; my maternal Grandmother had breast cancer at 45, my mother ovarian cancer at 65, and now my sister has breast cancer at 57. Limited gene testing for me back in 2015, BRCA neg. This lump/thickening has been present since June. I was advised at my (annual high-risk) mammogram in July/August to keep an eye on it and get back in touch if still concerned. Due to my sister's diagnosis in Sep I was unable to return for a checkup until Dec. GP made a 2-week wait referral but appointment was a month later. It was conducted at a local hospital but by "Your Medical Services" an outside organisation picking up the slack on the waiting list backlog, not the team who usually run the Breast Clinic. They would not perform a mammogram as I had one in July, so ultrasound instead. The radiologist said it was normal breast tissue, nothing to biopsy and to go home, though I could hang around to see the Dr if I wanted. I did. The Dr then read me the radiology report, apparently US showed some fibrocystic thickening but this was normal. My understanding was that fibrocystic tissue was difficult to differentiate from potentially malignant tissue? I asked if I might get an MRI, as I had these annually until I was 50 (I'm now 52). I realise that's the usual cutoff age, that breasts get less dense from then on, as a rule. He was adamant that this would not be an option. I wish I could say that I can accept that - but I am just not built that way. With the cancer incidence in my family, it's hard to feel comfortable having a lump that's not been checked in every possible way! Are there options I can pursue within the NHS, or is private my only choice? There's no way I can just let this drop even if it costs me all my savings.
... View more