Why a referral
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22 posts since
29 Mar 2021
Hello. About 3 weeks ago I discovered what looked like an insect bite on my breast. It was very red and had a little pus oozing from the middle but didn’t itch. After a few days I contacted try surgery for advice and was told to go straight down. The practitioner agreed it wasn’t a bite but said there was a lump behind it. He said the lump was soft and mobile so not cancer but he sent a two week referral for suspected breast cancer anyway. So why would he make a referral if he thought the lump wasn’t cancer.
After 2 weeks I had heard nothing about my appointment so rang and was told it would be a few weeks before I was seen. I’m a bit confused but not really worried. Thank you
1575 posts since
12 Jan 2011
Hi Lilyjo.
Doctors are encouraged to refer anyone who meets certain criteria, whether or not the doctor suspects cancer. Looking at the criteria for breast cancer referral published by NICE, I see one of them is an unexplained breast lump, with or without pain, aged 30 or over.
You have a lump and the doctor doesn’t know what it is. Following the guidelines, you therefore get referred. If it’s any consolation, 9 out or 10 “urgent” cancer referrals turn out NOT to have cancer, but the thinking is that it’s better to be safe than sorry.
My wife was sent for a similar referral a couple of years ago, and was given the all clear. Fingers crossed you get the all clear, too.
22 posts since
29 Mar 2021
Hello, thank you for your reply.
For the first few days after the referral was made I did worry because I googled, which we all know is the wrong thing to do. I am more calm about it now though. In the past few years I have had two other cancer referrals which were false alarms so hopefully this one will be too. It is what it is and there is nothing I can do about it at the moment, so no point worrying. I am grateful for your explanation for the referral.
375 posts since
9 Mar 2011
Hello and thanks for your post
There can be many reasons for breast lumps and most of them won’t be the result of anything as serious as cancer as you can read here.
Usually a doctor will refer someone to have the lump assessed by the breast clinic just to be on the safe side. There are 2 referral pathways firstly the urgent pathway which means people are usually seen within 2-3 weeks, where as a routine referral can be several weeks.
Unfortunately due to the current pandemic there has been some delays for patients being seen. But hopefully you will be seen soon.
Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
Best wishes,
Celene
22 posts since
29 Mar 2021
Hello, thank you for your reply. I do realise things are difficult at the moment and there are people with more urgent needs than mine, so I will keep knitting and waiting 
Jo
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