I would very much like to hear from other women living in Scotland, especially women under 50 who found it difficult to persuade their GPs to refer them to a breast clinic for tests and who eventually ended with a diagnosis of breast cancer or breast related disease. I’m particularly interested in the under 50s since at age 46 I myself was told breast cancer was rare in women under 50 and I’m hearing of other younger women who are being told they are too young to get breast cancer. In my case my diagnosis was not made by specialists till I had reached age 50, even though I could show symptoms at 46, requested a mammogram and showed anxiety but was refused referral by my GPs on three occasions.
I'm in Scotland and was diagnosed in Oct 2006 at the age of 45. I was lucky in that the GP I saw told me she had to refer me, there was no question about it. I have read the NHS guidelines for my area and any woman who presents with a lump is supposed to be referred as far as I am aware. In my case I was diagnosed as having a benign fibroid and it was when it was being removed that the surgeons found a smaller tumour underneath which had been hidden by the fibroid and which was not detected on any of the tests. I am just about to finish Herceptin in April, only 2 more to go. It's been a long road, but I've managed to put my life back together and am moving on to other things. Had a bit of a wobble at the beginning of the year due to taking on a new job which didn't work out, but I am now retraining to work in my OHs business.
i'm 30, went to Gp with lump and he referred me right away. Unfortunately the breast clinic was very busy and it took my several calls to get an app. About 8 - 9 weeks. Am currently on tax chemo then rads.