Breast clinic referral for 25 year old!

Hi wOOdyIt's  

Welcome to the forum and I am sorry to hear that you may have breast cancer.  It's perfectly understandable that you are feeling terrified.  Most lumps turn out to be benign but if it is breast cancer know that it's very treatable these days and you will be very well looked after.

You will have a mammogram and a ultrasound and you may also have a biopsy.  Once the results are in you will be given an appointment with a Breast Consultant who will discuss your results with you and whether you need any treatment or not.  Depending on the type and size of the tumour you may either have surgery or chemo first.  You may also be referred for a CT and bone scan to check if it's spread.

While you are waiting for your appointment try to keep yourself busy as it helps take your mind off things.

Wishing you the best of luck with your appointment at the Breast Clinic and hopefully the lump will turn out to be cyst.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Thank you so much for this, that’s really helpful x

Hi w00dy , sorry you find yourself here, it’s a very scary time being referred to the breast clinic. As Daisy53 has said, most breast lumps turn out to be benign, and I just wanted to share with you my past referrals. First one at age 21, for what my GP thought were ‘nodular’ breasts. Thorough examination at the clinic, no further action needed. In my 30s, a referral due to tearing pain and general lumpiness when breastfeeding - nothing ominous found. In my 40s, a definite lump - turned out to be a fibroadenoma (benign). Cysts in my early 50s, diagnosed by ultrasound. Didn’t even need to be drained. Finally, breast cancer at age 59. I’m now 5 and a half years since that diagnosis. 
Hope your appointment comes quickly, the waiting is tortuous. I will also be hoping that you are one of the many referrals who get checked out and told all is well. But as Daisy53 has said, if it’s cancer, breast cancer is very treatable nowadays. And there will be lots of support here. Sending love and a big virtual hug, HFxxx

this gave me a lot of hope so thank you so much for sharing, I really appreciate it xx

Hi 

Where you are at now is perhaps the hardest time - with uncertainty and a lack of clarity. The brain absolutely goes to the worst places. I also completely get your fear of needles and the tests etc that go on- which only compounds the worry. 

To help- you will most likely have an ultrasound along with a check of both breasts (physically feeling) as a first point of call. They may then also do an MRI & a mammo, though sometimes for younger women, mammos are less effective due to breast density. Mammograms are uncomfortable, but manageable- and staff were so lovely and listened to me.  If you have a biopsy, it’s not a comfortable experience, but after the initial injection, everything was numb- so it was less painful than I feared. 

Breast cancer in younger women is less common- (which should be reassuring) however, it still does happen. From experience, unless you are completely reassured and know exactly what it is, please do not feel silly for asking for a consultant to check. As others here have said, caught early- it’s a very treatable cancer. It’s better to know than not- even if it means tests etc, the fear you’re feeling now can niggle away if you don’t have answers, the niggle can get in the way of enjoying life. You can also ask for a second opinion- there’s nothing wrong at all with that. 
Being very honest with the medical professionals about how you feel (with needles etc) will also help them to help you- they care- and will do everything they can to make it easier. 

Take a loved one with you if you can. This unknown but is really horrible- so you’ll need their support too. 

Sending you all the very best wishes & good thoughts- brilliant that you spotted and are getting it checked. 

x

Also meant to add: A referral to the breast clinic means that they are listening to you, and hopefully rule out anything sinister so you can have peace of mind back. 

Thank you so much, that info is really helpful. I’ve heard really lovely things about the clinic I’ve been referred to so at least there’s that. I’ve taken all of that on board so thank you again, it’s reassuring & im grateful for the support xxx