Information for the public
Breasts and armpits
Being referred to a specialist does not mean that you have cancer. Very few people who are referred to a specialist actually have cancer. However, it is important that you are checked quickly to find out. If you do have cancer, spotting it early can mean treatment is easier and more likely to be successful
Lumps or changes in your breasts (in women and men)
You should be offered an appointment to see a cancer specialist within 2 weeks if you are:
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50 or over and have changes to one of your nipples that worry you, such as discharge from the nipple or the nipple appearing to be pulled inwards (sometimes called retraction or inversion)
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30 or over and have a lump in your breast that isn't caused by anything else.
You may also be offered an appointment to see a specialist within 2 weeks if you have changes to the skin on your breast, such as puckering or dimpling.
If you are under 30 and have a lump in your breast that isn't caused by anything else, you might be offered an appointment to see a specialist, although not necessarily within 2 weeks. Your GP may get advice from a specialist about whether to refer you.
Lumps in your armpits
If you are 30 or over and have a lump in your armpit that your GP doesn't think is caused by anything else, you may be offered an appointment to see a cancer specialist to check for breast cancer within 2 weeks.
If you have lumps in your armpit caused by swollen glands and your GP doesn't think they are caused by another problem, you may be offered an appointment to see a cancer specialist within 2 weeks to check for lymphoma. This is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which includes things like lymph glands throughout the body that help to fight infection. Your GP will also check if you have any other symptoms of lymphoma, such as fever, night sweats, shortness of breath, itchy skin, weight loss or pain in your glands when you drink alcohol.
If you also have swollen lymph glands in other areas of your body as well as in your armpits, you may be offered a blood test to check for leukaemia (cancer of the white blood cells) – this should be done within 2 days.