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Mammogram referral

(34 Posts)
kittylester Sat 17-Oct-15 06:56:56

Our eldest daughter (age 40) went to her gp with a breast lump. It was a locum doctor who told her that it was 'significant' and referred her for a mammogram. She is having a complete panic so I wondered if anyone could shed any light on what is likely to happen. She has been told the appointment will last two hours.

The NHS came up trumps again as she was seen by her gp on Friday and her appointment is on Wednesday.

Thanks gransnetters.

Grannyknot Sat 17-Oct-15 07:14:33

Hi kitty as if you don't have enough on your plate now this worry too plus your daughter will be fretting.

I'm sure people with more experience than me will come long soon, but I have had an extended appointment with additional investigations (due to "having symptoms") and it took two hours because I had a mammogram plus ultrasound, plus waited for the results then and there, saw a consultant. I was fine.

flowers

Anya Sat 17-Oct-15 07:47:24

How worrying for you all kitty. Chances are everything will be OK, but other GNetters will tell you what to expect I know sunshine

whitewave Sat 17-Oct-15 07:56:14

Well mammogram will tell if it needs further investigation. If it does, then a biopsy which takes a piece of the lump for analysis. Sounds worse than it is, but you are in such a state that it may be good to go with someone.
Once analysed (is it cancer? Is so what type) Treatment , if necessary is decided on.
There are lots of grans including me on here who have gone through the same process, so keep I touch if you feel you need support.

hildajenniJ Sat 17-Oct-15 08:16:40

My sister went through this worry when she was in her 30's. She had all the investigations outlined by whitewave. It all turned out fine as the lump turned out to be a fibroadenoma. No treatment was required. They kept an eye on her and the lump went away of it's own accord. She has been fine since except for mouth cancer, but that's another story.

kittylester Sat 17-Oct-15 08:22:28

Thanks all! I'm not worried yet but she is in a bit of a state! She is that sort of person anyway and has a very stressful job in a school where she is currently dealing with a boy whose mum has breast cancer and has only a few weeks to live. On the day DD was due to see the gp the father of the boy came and broke down in her office. She spent an hour and a half supporting him. The family have children the same age as DD's 6 & 8. Not good timing.

daffydil Sat 17-Oct-15 08:34:32

Think what she will be attending is called a one stop clinic where they will do a mammogram, blood tests and a needle biopsy. All the tests are analysed on the spot and the result given straightaway. This was my experience and I was thankful I did not have to wait for days. As it happened I did have a problem but that was 20 years ago. and I have been fine since. However it can be several other things. It would be silly to say don't worry but it sounds as if your daughter is getting the best treatment and we will all be here supporting you if you feel you want someone to 'talk to'.

Notso Sat 17-Oct-15 08:44:17

An additional reassurance for your DD kitty, she'll be given lots of information throughout the whole process, with the opportunity to ask as many questions as she wants to. Lots of leaflet/booklet information to take away also.

Every chance this lump may be harmless, but if it is cancer, then speed of treatment will be important so it's great that she has an appointment so soon.

Alea Sat 17-Oct-15 09:24:19

Oh kittyl huge hug from here. You know and I know that screening is to catch things so that they can be dealt with and if early enough, successfully. You have been there as have most of us, but that doesn't stop the bottom dropping out of your world when it is your DD.
There are other totally unthreatening possibilities, a cyst, a "mouse" are 2 that occur to me but hold on to the fact that 1) it is good this has been spotted early and 2) she will be seen very soon.

If you and she are doing "worst case scenario" especially in the wee small hours, look at Victoria Darbyshire's pic and blog which were in the paper just last week.

Thinking of you flowersflowers

Luckygirl Sat 17-Oct-15 09:29:15

It is good that the referral is going through quickly and she will have les time to build up her understandable anxiety.

I had a similar situation many years ago and the nurses pushed me through quickly as I was on and off the toilet so much with anxiety that they wanted to put me out of my misery.

Mine was a cyst and they drai9ned it there and then.

Will be thinking of you.

Teetime Sat 17-Oct-15 09:31:45

kitty I'm really sorry to hear how upset your DD is- I think we would all worry about it. DH had a breast lump this year and was referred to the Breast clinic at Leicester and they were marvellous. All investigations and examinations were done in the one place. He obviously couldn't have a mammogram (no boobs) but thorough examination of all his medical history and biopsies under ultrasound. The staff including the consultants were lovely to us both and although the appointment did take a long time and there was a lot of waiting about we came out with a clear idea of the clinical management plan which would depend on the results of the three biopsies taken - they take about a week to come back. He could then opt to be seen again or have his results over the phone as a booked appointment- he did the latter and thankfully he was fine if a little bruised. My good wishes and hugs for you both. flowers

annsixty Sat 17-Oct-15 09:44:48

Oh dear kitty worries never come singly do they?
I will just say try to keep positive to keep the family from worrying too much, and I am pleased it is all going through quickly. flowers for you all.

glammanana Sat 17-Oct-15 10:10:15

Kitty sending hugs and love to your and your DD,it is a worry there is no getting away from that I had this at the end of last year,I went for the mammogram and blood tests 5 days after seeing my GP with a lump,the whole process took just under 4 hours and the staff where amazing and very calming letting me know what was happening at every stage and why they where doing what they do,the result was negative and the lump diagnosed as gristly tissue which they said is the most common cause of lumps found,I hope your DD can relax a wee bit but I guess she is very upset and can't wait for the procedure to be done.xx flowers

Indinana Sat 17-Oct-15 10:48:50

Oh kitty that must be so worrying for her. And as you say, not good timing given the school situation. I haven't been in this situation, but have several friends, and my mother, who have. Please remember that around 80% of breast lumps are non-cancerous, but I'm sure you've done all the research yourself.
Sending (((hugs))) for you and your DD. I do so hope it turns out to be nothing to worry about. flowers

Nonnie Sat 17-Oct-15 10:52:02

No advice as I have no experience but big hugs to you both. flowers

Lona Sat 17-Oct-15 10:59:52

Oh kitty I have no experience, but everyone has been very reassuring above. I am sending (((hugs))) and all my positive support for you and your dd. XXX

harrigran Sat 17-Oct-15 12:24:39

One stop clinics are very good as they can do the mammogram and fine needle aspiration in one session and you get the results before leaving.
I went through this with my younger sister when she was 30, they were 99% sure it was a fibroadenoma but she opted for an operation. She has had no further problems.
kitty flowers for you and DD.

annsixty Sat 17-Oct-15 12:57:55

I think it is worth saying that a fine needle aspiration is not suitable in all cases and I had a deep core biopsy and didn't get the results for a week but this was 15 years ago and things have moved on since then.

loopylou Sat 17-Oct-15 13:01:47

Oh kitty ((hugs))
I've been there twice, thankfully neither time was cancer, but it's a thorough process and so different to years ago. Both times I had a lumpectomy and all went well.

KatyK Sat 17-Oct-15 13:28:57

kitty Worrying for you all. I found a lump a few years ago. I was very quickly referred to the breast clinic at our local hospital. I only had to wait a week for my appointment, it was a very long week. This is what happened during my appointment. A nurse called me in to the consulting room, she gave me an ultrasound scan. Then a doctor came in, looked at the scan, told me it was a cyst and inserted a needle to remove it. They didn't give me a mammogram that time. Best wishes flowers

kittylester Sat 17-Oct-15 13:53:52

Thank you all for your responses and all the lovely pms!

DH talked to her this morning and she is much calmer. But, it turns out that she has had two parents' evenings this week plus a session in the soup kitchen from which she got home at midnight! No wonder she lost the plot. I think I need a word about doing too much!

Crafting Sat 17-Oct-15 14:10:52

kitty no wonder your DD was stressed. As mentioned before, the best thing is getting it seen straight away and there are many harmless things it could be. Hope your DD has good news soon flowers

JessM Tue 20-Oct-15 10:15:12

Glad to hear she is feeling less stressed. Most lumps are benign and most that are not can be cured these days. The statistics are very encouraging.
I had a cancer removed nearly 20 years ago and consider myself cured. Also her age makes it fairly unlikely that she has cancer - although it does happen to a few of us when younger. Hope it goes OK tomorrow. Are you going with her?

kittylester Tue 20-Oct-15 10:23:50

Thank you all. I babysat DD's youngest yesterday as she was off school ill (she threw up all over me twice!)and DD seems much more positive. I'm not going with her Jess, her DH is and then they are going out for lunch but I have requested a phone call before they sit down to eat!

Lona Tue 20-Oct-15 10:27:54

Hope it goes well for her kitty sunshineflowers I've got my fingers crossed! Xx