Breast pain

GrannyLaine

LadyWee

Just hopping on to say - breast pain isn’t usually part of the 2 week referral criteria. Plus GPs cannot normally order USS/mammograms etc. Normally breast referrals go through the breast team and they will
Arrange investigations. Sometimes when posters advise people they need something when they don’t meet the NHS criteria I can imagine it can lead to a lot of distress for those involved as they have unmet expectations.

Good post LadyWee, absolutely agree.

But I did meet the criteria!

growstuff

GrannyLaine

LadyWee

Just hopping on to say - breast pain isn’t usually part of the 2 week referral criteria. Plus GPs cannot normally order USS/mammograms etc. Normally breast referrals go through the breast team and they will
Arrange investigations. Sometimes when posters advise people they need something when they don’t meet the NHS criteria I can imagine it can lead to a lot of distress for those involved as they have unmet expectations.

Good post LadyWee, absolutely agree.

But I did meet the criteria!

Fair enough.
But the thread is about breast pain and LadyWee's post was a general comment, not specifically to you growstuff

I have had breast pain on and off for a few years. Since the menopause really.

I have had routine scans which have all come back clear.

I think that it might have been muscular as it seemed go across my breast from my breast bone and across. It was more of a shooting pain.

I do worry that mammograms can miss lumps and that scans are better, or is this not the case?

Sorry - I haver had routine mammograms not scans

GrannyLaine

growstuff

GrannyLaine

LadyWee

Just hopping on to say - breast pain isn’t usually part of the 2 week referral criteria. Plus GPs cannot normally order USS/mammograms etc. Normally breast referrals go through the breast team and they will
Arrange investigations. Sometimes when posters advise people they need something when they don’t meet the NHS criteria I can imagine it can lead to a lot of distress for those involved as they have unmet expectations.

Good post LadyWee, absolutely agree.

But I did meet the criteria!

Fair enough.
But the thread is about breast pain and LadyWee's post was a general comment, not specifically to you growstuff

Explanation accepted. As you can possibly understand, I'm feeling quite fragile at the moment. I did meet the criteria for referral, but my concern wasn't believed. I'm no medic, but I do know what is normal for my own body and I knew something was wrong. If women have concerns, my only advice would be to read the NHS guidelines and push for referral.

Moving on from the op, I think the issue is that GPs are no longer "family doctors". I can't help thinking that 20 years ago, when my practice only had three doctors who had been there for ages, they would have known that I don't make GP appointments for trivial reasons and that I genuinely did have a concern.

It seems that the government wants us to move to remote consultations, sometimes not even with a GP. That works for some conditions and some people some of the time, but the downside is that patients aren't treated holistically. Doctors don't have a clue about the person they're speaking to and people don't always fit the handy algorithms. I don't suppose GPs are happy with the situation either, but I wish they'd campaign with patients rather than moaning about how they waste time and have unrealistic expectations, etc.

PinkCosmos

I have had breast pain on and off for a few years. Since the menopause really.

I have had routine scans which have all come back clear.

I think that it might have been muscular as it seemed go across my breast from my breast bone and across. It was more of a shooting pain.

I do worry that mammograms can miss lumps and that scans are better, or is this not the case?

A mammogram picked up my lump, even though the GP couldn't feel it.

Thanks Growstuff

Having just had my second mastectomy I would like to say both mine started with pain and at first my g p said you don't usually get pain if it's cancer but referred me obviously it was cancer which wasn't detected in mammogram a few months previous so ladies insist on referral if worried .

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I didn't have pain, but I could definitely feel a sensation/lump. I received the result of the biopsy today and it's cancer (fortunately still early stage). I've also started a formal complaint against the GP who wouldn't refer me.

I’m sorry to hear that growstuff. Good that it’s still early stage. I don’t blame you for lodging a complaint, for the good of others.
I hope your treatment is arranged quickly and goes well. Please keep us posted.

I’m sorry to hear your news, Growstuff. Good that it’s early stage and I hope the treatment is relatively simple.

Yes, making a complaint might help others in the future.

Oh Growstuff, I’m sorry to hear your news. Glad that it’s early stage. Sending you best wishes x

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Reported

Growstuff coming late to this thread, was following because of some breast tenderness. Sorry to hear of your diagnosis, luckily early stages, it shows that you have to persevere to be heard. With every good wish.

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis.I hope your treatment plan is arranged speedily and send you very best wishes.
You've had a raw deal.Well done for speaking out .

Sorry to read your diagnosis ,all the best and hoping you Get a treatment plan soon.

Growstuff Late to this thread. Just to say so sorry and very best wishes for your (I hope) speedy treatment plan. You have had a horrid experience and so glad you spoke out.

How are you Growstuff? I have been watching this thread because I also have pain in my left breast.

I am over 70 so don't get sent for a mammogram any more. Our surgery do not answer the phone so I dug out the last letter from the breast clinic at the hospital and phoned them on Friday afternoon. They had a cancellation for early this morning so I have had a mammogram.

The radiologist said that it is not normal to get pain with cancer and she seemed to give the impression that I should not worry. I am grateful to get it checked (and so quickly). Fingers crossed now!

Liz I’m over 70 now but still would like a routine mammogram, no particular problem but would like the reassurance. My last one was Jan 2020, should I phone the breast clinic now?

Bluesky, they gave me a leaflet this morning and ladies over 71 can ask for a mammogram every three years. Check if you still have your last letter from the breast clinic as it should have the phone number. The leaflet is www.gov.uk/phe/breast-screening-leaflet

You'll probably have to type that in.

Thanks Liz!

Liz46

How are you Growstuff? I have been watching this thread because I also have pain in my left breast.

I am over 70 so don't get sent for a mammogram any more. Our surgery do not answer the phone so I dug out the last letter from the breast clinic at the hospital and phoned them on Friday afternoon. They had a cancellation for early this morning so I have had a mammogram.

The radiologist said that it is not normal to get pain with cancer and she seemed to give the impression that I should not worry. I am grateful to get it checked (and so quickly). Fingers crossed now!

Bit shell-shocked today, I'm afraid. I was told today that a second lump has been found and I'll almost certainly have to have a mastectomy.

Please, please, please, ladies, if you have breast pain or feel very strongly that something isn't right (you know your breasts best of all), stamp your feet and get scanned.

Oh gosh Growstuff, I’m so sorry to hear this.

My story is that over forty years ago when we were living in Newcastle, I found a lump. My GP referred me to the RVI pdq, and fortunately all was ok. Fast forward to 2017, and a routine mammogram showed up a peanut sized malignant tumour. I had a lumpectomy but no radiotherapy or chemotherapy. I was part of a trial for women over 60 with small tumours and had to have an annual mammogram for five years and can continue if I wish next year, when I will be 70. At the end of July I will stop taking my three different anti-cancer drugs, so I can’t wait.

Growstuff, there are a lot of us in your boat and I’ll be thinking of you.