Hi Sophie, I'm in the same boat as you. I've been waiting 3 weeks for an appointment with the breast clinic. Went to my GP with a breast lump and itchy nipple, he said I would get seen quickly. I'm in this Thursday and the wait has been unbearable, I've tried everything to keep my mind off it. I only told my husband as I didn't want to worry anyone unnecessarily. We have 2 small children, so I have to stay as normal for them as possible, I have found myself whilst on my own crying. Keep your mind on your wedding, try to do things to keep you occupied. One of the nurse on here shared a breast care leaflet on my thread, I have found it extremely helpful, as it gives you a guide on what to expect at your appointment. Good luck, Joanne 

Hello Sophie,

I am glad you received a very helpful response from Weejock. To make it easier for you, I thought I would share the link that our nurse Celene shared with Weejock. You can find the booklet which details what to expect at your breast clinic appointment here.

Best of luck for your appointment and do come back here and let us know how it goes,

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi, I've just had my breast clinic appointment after FINALLY getting round to see the GP  *

Dr google told me the lumps I could feel were nothing to worry about so it took several months to bother to get a proper opinion! I'm 29 happily decided that I'm far too young for BC

Went in fully expecting to have my diagnosis of "nothing to worry about" confirmed and sent on my way, instead the Dr asked me what hospital I wanted to go too and handed me a print out called "understanding your fast track appointment" which explained that I needed to be seen within two weeks because my symptoms could be caused by cancer.

Freaked me out big time, as I had completely ruled that out already.

Less than 24 hours later the hospital were on the phone to sort out an appointment

 (cue more panicking ...surely they only act this fast if they have good reason to thinks it's something serious, crap why was I not taking it more seriously when I was in with the GP yesterday, I shouldn't have assumed it was nothing that's why I wasn't listening properly arrrggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!)   

I spent the next 12 days all over the place freaking out, convincing myself that this is serious, and I'm probably dying. Couldn't focus on anything, shot tempered and panicked. But somehow I came to the same rational(?) decision as you...can't tell anyone because there is nothing to tell yet (and also my family are a little over dramatic and protective and would have tried to look after me too much and driven me crazy)

Well got to the clinic last week, and was reassured by the really nice consultant that any symptom of cancer is routinely seen within 2 weeks... not an emergency...just standard practice even when they are already pretty sure it's not cancer. It's a symptom so they like to see it quick, just so they can confirm the 100% not cancer diagnosis very quickly

Now it did say that all on the info the GP gave me but TBH I don't think anything would have helped me chill out during the wait, you just see or hear the C word and freak right out!

Thankfully I'm mostly good, I definitely Don't have Cancer (YAY!!) but the ultrasound Dr said one of my lumps had some "character" to it. Worst case scenario is the biopsy will show some abnormalities and I'll still have to have it out. 

So another week of stress waiting to find out if I'm gonna have to have an op or not (i'm a big baby, more terrified at the thought of an op that any potential diagnosis!!)

Anyway stress is fine and natural and normal and somehow you will survive to appointment day

I will just point out than when last week was all done and I was sure I wasn't dying I finally told a few people...most people were nicely supportive and my older sisters were MAD MAD MAD at me for not telling them and threatened to beat me with a slipper (see above re. "over dramatic and protective"!) 

Just have a think about the pros and cons of telling different people, some sort of selective disclosure may be the way to go to take some of the weight off your mind.

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses and I'm so sorry I've given you radio silence until now. I actually didn't realise there were any replies until this evening!!

I can't believe how slowly time is passing. I feel like I'm going mad. I just want to go back to my old life where I wasn't obsessed with the idea of having breast cancer!!

I've made a list of 'reasons to worry' and a list of 'reasons not to worry'. My list of 'reasons to worry' is longer...

One of them is the serious demeanor of the GP. Do you guys think you can guess what a GP is thinking by their manner, or is that too subjective a thing to be worried about? I've also considered phoning up the GP in question to get her opinion on the situation but then thought that might make it worse as whatever she then says on that phone call I will obsess about for the next few days... and I guess GPs can't know what's going on inside a breast really. But maybe they can give an educated guess.

Sophie x

Unless you see her reguarly and it was somewhat out of character I wouldn't worry about the demeanor of the GP too much, I think they just like to get on with business as they are so pushed for time. They do have to take everything like this seriously and the national guidlines tell them to refer all the maybes just in case, even while they are much better informed and experienced than "Dr" Google it is very rare that they can ever know for sure - even the consultant experts don't know untill they've had a chance to have a good look at what's going on inside. 

Was it today your appointment? How'd it go?

Mine was 12 days ago now and still waiting for the biopsy results - I was told they were very busy at the moment but should have had something in the post today. After finding finding myself thoroughly reassured at the end of the clinic appointment I'm begining to stress and  again - having thoughts along the lines of "Why aren't they here yet??? did they find something unexpected and I havn't heard because they are double check??"

I'll give them to the end of the week and then start chasing.

Hi I have been referred to a breast clinic my appointment only took a week I having pain under my arm pit and dr found a lump been going on for few months but took no notice until the pain wudnt go I am at my wits end with worry as the week has gone by my breast and kneck and shoulder blade is so painful also over months my appetite as gone cud I be worrying over nothing 

Hi Nannyfin,

Welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear about your worries concerning your breast. You are doing the right thing in getting this investigated.

Don't expect any definite answers tomorrow, as you will need to have tests first. You will then be brought back in about a week to get the results. This is when you will know for certain what is going on.

Please update us on the outcome and, remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Found a large lump above my nipple last night in the bath and was seen by a GP straigth away this morning for which I was grateful. However, after the examination she told me straight away that she thought it was cancer because of the size and the texture of the lump. After this news she said she would refer me straight away to the hospital for screening/treatment and it would take up to 2 weeks for them to contact me to make an appointment. She also urged me to take her phone number to keep me informed about my progress and that I should not go private which would make matters worse (?). So far I had not received any comforting words or any reassurance - she just said I looked nervous and worried which I was of course. I asked her about treatment to get at least some sort of positiveness. I am a bit shocked how I was dealt with, she was more interested in me as a case study than my personal wellbeing. Of course my world, and my partner's world has fallen apart having 2 small children and 2 weeks seems an awful long time to wait for an appointment not knowing at all how bad it is having been given the impression that it is pretty bad. And if I have to wait 2 weeks for an appointment would it not have been better to stay on the positive side rather than telling me that I have cancer without actual proof? Thank god I have a tax return to finish which will keep my mind off it for a bit and hope that the hospital will contact me tomorrow or the day after. It has been a great help to read the above experiences. 

Hi Appleblossom,

Welcome to the forum.

You have done the right thing in seeing your GP so quickly. The two week wait is unfortunately the norm for referral to the breast care clinic. Even then, you are unlikely to get an immediate diagnosis, and may have to wait another 1-2 weeks for the results of any tests you have dome.

It is particularly scary when you have a young family to worry about. Sadly, doctors now do not mince their words when there is a possibility of cancer being present. Can you take someone with you to your hospital appointment when it comes through? This is especially important when you are expecting any results.

Tax returns are one way to keep yourself busy, although I'm sure that there are some pleasanter pursuits as well.Please let us know how you get on.
We are always here for you.

I sincerely hope that all goes well for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx