Hi all,
Not sure where to begin but I am going out of my mind with worry. I have had breast pain in my left breast since October. It comes and goes but not in a pattern that reflects my cycle. Now got a referral to breast clinic and I’m worried sick of what they’re going to tell me.
Hi
Welcome to the Macmillan community but hopefully it will be a very short visit!
It does seem that some doctors are exceptionally good and do offer referrals when we are worried about our breasts. This can only be a good thing and normally it is due to a lump in the breast rather than pain.
Obviously no-one can tell you it will be all ok as only the referral to the breast clinic will tell you that, but think positive. You haven't found a lump and your doctor is being cautious by referring you!
The waiting for tests/results is always the hardest time and having been diagnosed 2.5 years ago, even now I look back to the waiting to be the worst. The treatment was (for me) very easy as I didn't need chemo. I just had an operation to remove the lump and once that was healed 15 sessions of radiotherapy, which also was ok. All I do now is take a tablet a day to keep it from coming back.
The advances in medicine and treatments for cancer is amazing and although we automatically think if we are diagnosed with cancer it is our death certificate signed - I can assure you it's anything but! I met loads of ladies after who I'd never known had had breast cancer because they'd had their treatment years ago and were happily getting on with their lives. So, even if it is the worst news, it is completely doable and you'll be ok, I'm sure.
If you are using Google - don;t just go to Macmillan, Cancer Research UK and Breast Cancer.org. These are the only sites to trust as many others are woefully out of date or 'crack pot'.
Keep thinking positive and let us know how you get on once you've got your results - we like to hear good news 
Best wishes,
Hi
Yes, don't worry about the timescale, this is normal. Part of the govt. guidelines are to refer and to get the appointment quickly.
Your doctor sounds really good as there have been ladies of your age who've reported lumps etc and been told by their doctor that they're unlikely to have cancer 'cause they're too young... so try and hold onto the fact that your doctor is really good and you should be far more worried if he/she hadn't referred you.
Easier said than done, but try and put it out of your mind for now. And, just to confirm even IF it is cancer, you'll still be here for many years - your son will be a hulking great grown up before you go...
(Also just a thought - 2.5 year old son - have you been lifting him? and causing strain on that side of your body which could be causing pain - you never know eh?)
Best wishes,
Hi
Well, let's hope that it is muscular! Yes, the circle of stress does cause more health issues doesn't it?
If it is any comfort, I didn't feel unwell at all, no signs whatsoever that I might have cancer. (I nearly didn't bother going for my first mammogram as I thought if I had cancer I'd feel ill - luckily I did as this is when they found it!)
It is more unusual to have BC before menopause, although obviously not impossible. You don't have any discharge, just the pain, so try and hold onto the fact that your doctor is being extra cautious by referring you and hopefully at the end of it, you'll be reassured that it's nothing
If you don't use calming apps, then you might want to try Headspace. It's free for a short while and it might calm you down whilst you wait for your appointment.
They'll probably feel your breasts and give you a scan at the appointment. If they find something they're not sure about, they'll carry out a biopsy.
Hope this helps and try and enjoy your little boy as worrying won't change the outcome and if it turns out to be nothing you'll have spent all this time tying yourself in knots for no reason.
Kindest wishes,
