What Happens When You Go To The Gp With A Breast Lump

[bednobs]

worryingly, i found a lump in my breast on Friday night. Breast had been a bit achey, so had a feel around and found a little lump. Boobs were lumpy when i was breast feeding, but stopped that around 6 months ago. Will try to get a gp appt tomorrow, but just wondered what they will do - lump is quite small and you have to dig right in to feel it - will they feel it? Do hey just send you away and see if it's still there in a month? will i get sent to a breast clinic?

[potterfan3]

Truefully I have no idea. But I think they'll probably have a feel, if you prefer you can request a female doctor, if this makes you feel more comfortable.

[boxtops]

If my friend's experience is anything to go by, they will refer you straight away for a lump aspiration (her appointment came through frighteningly (or reassuringly) quickly, within a fortnight. Once they have done the aspiration and have some tissue, it's analysed quickly, no hanging about. Good luck - insist on being seen tomorrow - fingers crossed that it's something and nothing.

[sherrardk]

My friend has recently found one (she has lost a lot of weight lately so her boobs have changed). Around here, if you are over 35 they send you to someone else (cant remember the medical term for the person) without question. She had her breast examined and the doctor thinks it is nothing to be concerned about but she is having further investigations. Try not to worry, x

[jno]

can't tell you for sure, but generally the NHS takes anything like this seriously.

This might help

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/breastfeeding-9/after-nursing?page=2

[treetops1]

When I found one the doctor told me he didn't think it was anything to worry about. I went for a routine mamogram and it was picked up on that. It was as the GP said nothing to worry about. I've had it for 15 years now.

[MadMen]

I had the same. I was checked over by the gp (I requested a female) and she said she could feel it but said it didn't feel like anything suspicious. She went through my family history and then said she'd refer me to a breast clinic at my local hospital. I received a letter the same week and saw them a couple of weeks later which I assumed meant she wasn't very concerned about what she'd felt.
They scanned me (I was under 30) with the same thing they use at a baby ultrasound and found nothing but a small cyst.
I know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry. Mine had also been aching, and I think that is what was bothering me the most but apparently breast pain and ache is extremely common. More so after you've been breast feeding I should imagine. Best wishes :-)

[slaney]

If your GP can confirm a lump, and if they can rule out an infective cause such a small abcess on examination, it is likely you would be referred quickly to a one-stop breast clinic where all investigations are done on the same day - examination, mammogram or ultrasound and biopsy if necessary.
Try not to worry, easier said than done I know, but keep in mind that the vast number of lumps like this are found to be benign.

[Prudie]

When I had one I went to GP and they referred me to the hospital 2 days later. It turned out to be blocked milk ( my baby was 3 months at the time and I'd never breastfed).It was the most terrifying 2 days of my life so it's hard to say don't worry. Fingers crossed for you, 9/10 lumps are not malignant.x

[carrot99]

Last summer my friend found a lump and went to her GP and within a month had had a mastectomy. Fortunately all the bad tissue was removed and her consultant is now talking about breast reconstruction. She is still on medication and regular check-ups but because she didn't need chemotherapy or radiotherapy is in remarkably good health and spirits.

[MadMen]

On another note, if your breasts are a bit achey (as mine were and still can be) then try evening primrose oil which is what the hospital recommended for me. This is obviously after you've been for your appointment :-)

[craft1948]

I went to the doctors on the Monday, he referred me to the one-stop breast clinic who rang me on the Wednesday to see if I could go in the next day.
Went at 2pm on the Thursday, had biopsy, mammagram, and ultrasound, given the all clear by 4:30pm.

[ttfn]

bednobs - tell your receptionist you have found a lump and hopefully you will see your GP tomorrow. My GP referred me to my hospital and I was seen quickly. It is possible to have an examination, mammogram, ultrasound and the result on the same day. I had to wait two days between the mammogram and ultrasound because no doctor was available to undertake the latter. Fingers crossed for you.

[bednobs]

well, i do check my boobs regularly, but i keep thinking "is that something or isn't it" and keep pressing it, causing it to ache more. I also have a small bruise where it is, so wonder if i've knocked the boob and that's why theres a little lump

[ttfn]

^I forgot the biopsy by aspiration too - doh

[craft1948]

bednobs keep calm and ring the surgery first thing. I found a lump, and the good news at the booby clinic was the doctor there found 3!!
After everything, got the all clear, she reckoned they were the 'husks' of old empty cysts which were showing up now as my boobs had 'dropped' as I got older.................

[Sammy48]

Bednobs, it could be a harmless fibrodeama (not sure that's the correct spelling). I found a hard like pea in my breast, it was very deep and could not be felt with the palm type examination. I was taken into hospital and it was removed.

[boxtops]

Let us know how you get on tomorrow, bednobs x