Breast Check Clinic... for a male!

gynoman

I've an appointment with the breast clinic in vincints, its my doctor just saying hes being sure on the 0.0001% chance. The thing is Im a man and am going to feel very out of place if the waiting room is just full of women. its also pretty embaresing and I dont want to be asking anyone where to go if Im lost and that. Can someone who has been there recently describe exactly what I need to know, where I need to go, what building, where to park, what entrance, what desk, how long Im likely to be waiting, how long the check will take, is there loads of people in the waiting room, is it likely to be an embaresing experience for me and any other info..

if any other men have been there for a check, would like to hear from you too!

cheers!

groovyg

Have you been given details of your appointment? If is it in the breast check clinic, I think thats near the Merrion road entrance. If you are worried about where to go, what to wear etc, just give them a ring or look up the breastcheck website, or maybe ring the Irish cancer society if you are worried.

Don't be embarrassed, I don't want to depress or worry you but there was a member who posted on the cycling forum who was diagnosed with breast cancer, got treated but sadly the cancer came back and he passed away so better to be safe than sorry. Best of luck with the tests.

username000

I dont know where it is but rest assured that you wont be the only man in the waiting area.

I went to a breast check clinic (I am a woman) in James's a couple of years ago and the waiting room had women, children, men etc... Plenty of women go there with their partner too. Its not an exclusively female zone. No one pays any attention to anyone.

gynoman

groovyg wrote: »

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Thanks for the info but I regret to say youve completely freaked me now after reading that guys post. i have an inverted nipple too, ive read it can be related to gynocomastia which i also have, the doc put me at ease with his .0001% chance but now im worried crazy, reading a post from somebody who has passed away because something that sounds similar to what i have is not the reassurance i was looking for

Saralee4

username000 wrote: »

I dont know where it is but rest assured that you wont be the only man in the waiting area.

I went to a breast check clinic (I am a woman) in James's a couple of years ago and the waiting room had women, children, men etc... Plenty of women go there with their partner too. Its not an exclusively female zone. No one pays any attention to anyone.

Thats what I was thinking, I don't have any advice but I would say that if I was in the clinic and seen a man there, I wouldn't even think about it. I wouldn't even presume you were a patient even.

If you ask anyone for directions to the room, how would they know anyway, you could be going to meet your wife.

People are probably nervous themselves and most people are focussed on that.

I know it is hard for a man but you would more than likely not see any of those people again so don't worry, your health is more important.

Best of luck to you on the day.

LegacyUser

I've been to the breast check clinic in Vincent's. They run multiple clinics (depending on the day) where the breast check is.
I was there August last year for mastitis and there where a lot of men there as well as women. They are very good and really nice.

I think Friday is the day when there is multiple clinics.

baby and crumble

Really don't worry about it, I have had to go to Breastcheck in James' a few times, and it's no biggy. I don't know exactly what Vincents is like, but certainly in James' there were loads of people (the amount of people is usually significant because with any lump it's better safe that sorry) and most people are there with a husband, wife, brother, sister, daughter, son... honestly it's usually 50/50 or close men/ women. Everything is really well signposted too, so just keep an eye out and you'll be grand. Breastcheck have a leaflet for Vincents with parking and location info: http://www.breastcheck.ie/sites/default/files/merrionunit.pdf

As for the actual experience- you could be waiting any length of time to be honest. How long is a piece of strong really. Bring a book or something, but make sure you can hear what's being said (i.e. don't wear headphones or you won't hear your name/ number being called).

Wear whatever you like, but something loose or easy to take off (tbh a shirt would be grand since you could probably just open the buttons) is probably handiest because you will have to take your top half off for a full examination by the doc. They'll do the standard physical exam (manual check, lifting arms to check for dimpling of the skin etc.) there and then, and may send you for an ultrasound, or else give you another appointment to go back for one. The ultrasound is a piece of piss, it's just a probe running over your skin and pushing in a bit. It's unlikely (but possible) you'll need a needle biopsy or something similar which stings but isn't that bad. Well, mine was a bit sore after but that's because I have massive boobs so the weight pulling on the site was a bit much!

The wait for results sucks, but definitely better to go and get it over with. My lump turned out to be harmless but I am going back to get it all checked again because it's started to hurt me throughout my cycle (which you don't have to worry about!). There are piles of things it could be other than cancer, but well done for going to get it sorted. That's the best thing to do. Even if it is the worst, better to get in early and give yourself the possible possible chance of full recovery. Breast cancer has one of the best survival rates. Sorry if that scares you but it is also best to go in knowing the worst score, you know?

LynnGrace

Just want to wish you all the best.
Try not to worry about asking directions, if necessary, or being the only male or whatever. The clinic will probably be well signposted, in any case.
As previous posters have said, these clinics are usually busy places, and people attending are caught up in their own concerns, and are genuinely not noticing others. Some very good advice upthread also about what to wear and so on. These checks are, honestly, all in a day's work for the staff dealing with you. They are professionals, and will, I am sure, make things as easy as possible for you.

A friend of mine has had successful treatment for breast cancer in recent times, I know she certainly would not have noticed or cared, who else was in attendance at a clinic.

It's better to get things checked out, and fingers crossed, all will be well. Take care.

jamesbondings

username000 wrote: »

I dont know where it is but rest assured that you wont be the only man in the waiting area.

I went to a breast check clinic (I am a woman) in James's a couple of years ago and the waiting room had women, children, men etc... Plenty of women go there with their partner too. Its not an exclusively female zone. No one pays any attention to anyone.

THIS....I always go to the colposcopy clinic with my partner, its a show of support for her. But there are ALWAYS other blokes there and kids running about, if im honest it just felt like a gps office!