First referral appointment

Hi sorry you are having to go through this.  If they decide you need a biopsy then it seems unlikely you will get a definitive answer on Monday as the sample has to be sent off to be analysed.  If you don't need a biopsy then it's because they feel sure there is nothing to worry about.

A need for a biopsy doesn't automatically mean it's cancer it just means they see something there that may or may not be cancerous and needs a biopsy to find out one way or the other. A  lot of biopsies come back as nothing so try not to worry too much if you do need a biopsy.

Hope all goes well for you and it turns out to be nothing.  Let us know how you get on.

Wishing you all the best x

Hi Milly22,

When I went for my initial clinic appointment they did examination, mammogram and ultrasound and before the ultrasound they said they were concerned about the lump and after ultrasound sound they are certain it’s a breast cancer but did a biopsy to confirm and to find out what type and grade it was. 

I had two surgeries and just need radiotherapy and hormone tablets now. 

Hope it all goes well for you on Monday and that it’s nothing to worry about. Let us know xx

If it is something like a cyst, they will tell you that as cancer and cysts look very different on scans. They can also tell from the shape of the lump if it is likely cancer, so you may go away with them telling you it is either likely cancer or likely not. But some lumps, they just don't' know. They cannot diagnose cancer via the scans alone, they need the biopsy results for a definitive answer.

However, I was told that I likely had cancer on the day and spoke to a Macmillan nurse there and then who went through likely treatment. I think they only tell you that you likely have cancer if they're pretty sure as it is a huge worry! They were brilliant with telling me exactly what would happen next at every step of the way and I usually had my next appointment already booked in before I left the last one. So I knew exactly when I would be getting my results (after the multidisciplinary meeting the following week) and that is exactly when they called me to tell me.

Thank you  

Thank you, it’s so scary isn’t it, wishing you the best of luck with your radiotherapy xx

Hi, thanks for replying, I don’t have a lump so no chance of it just being a cyst but good to hear that you had next appointment booked before you left, nothing worse than feeling abandoned at a time like this. 
Ive been through this whole process with one of my closest friends, was there at her diagnosis and sat with her a few times at her chemo then drove her to radiotherapy a few times too but it’s so different when it’s you and not someone else, my brain has gone to mush! 
I havent told my friend as she will worry as much as I am bless her so can’t pull on her for advice xx

Hi Milly, I had my appointment Monday, just gone. I had two mammograms to start with and an ultrasound. I do have a small lump, so they took a biopsy (which by the way was much more comfortable than I had imagined). My Radiographer told me it was 50/50 as to whether it is cancer, she really didn't know just by scans. I have an appointment next week for the results.  

Its so hard not to fret, but the team were so excellent. I felt in very safe hands and really supported. Good luck x

Hi Lemonsqueezy (great name ) 

Thank you for your reply, all I’ve heard is how painful a biopsy is so hearing you say it wasn’t that bad is reassuring. 
I have no idea why I’m dreading one so much considering I managed to have 3 children with no painkillers haha. By the way that wasn’t by choice, don’t get me wrong I would have grabbed every bit of pain relief going if I’d had the chance but I have rocket babies who shoot out into the world at high speed, 3 labours that total up to just under 6 and a half hours but that’s another story!
The waiting must be the hardest part, Ive struggled with the wait between seeing GP and my appointment date so I really feel for you now knowing it’s 50/50 but having to wait again, but I guess it’s just a case of trying to be patient and let the experts do their job. 
Good to know you feel supported by your team and I’m crossing everything for you, good luck xx

Hi Milly. I’m sorry to hear your story. As common as it is, it is personal to your journey. I am very new to this Cancer lark so I can only talk about my own and very recent experience. I had 2 biopsies and they were not painful. Just make sure the Doctor gives you a good dose of local!! I had 4ml. I didn’t feel a thing. The nursing staff will be very supportive and talk you through what they are doing, even hold your hand if you need them to. It is likely to leave you bruised and sore. The waiting and not knowing is the hardest part! There is no treatment for that. Do what feels right for you. I threw myself into work. It didn’t always help, I’ve had days of complete absence of the mind but tried to focus on staying positive. Good luck on this shit journey. Reach out when you feel you want or need to. 

Hi Pea Eater

You sound a bit like me, any personal issue of any kind and I completely throw myself into my work. If I’m honest it took being stuck at home during the first lockdown to make me realise I had actually got the balance wrong and work had taken over as my main priority so I returned to work with a completely different mindset and now I switch off a bit more when I’m at home. However over the last few days waiting for my referral I have found work an absolute godsend and it’s helped me to forget for a few hours a day. I work with children so you can’t help but smile no matter how you are feeling on the inside, little kids are the best tonic in the world

Good to hear another positive story about a biopsy, I don’t know why I’m so scared, I’m not normally one to get in a tizzy over small medical procedures but for some reason I can’t stop worrying about it. 

Thank you for replying and good luck xx