Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background Although often associated with older age, breast cancer incidence in younger women in the UK is increasing. Whilst research has explored the primary care experiences of women with breast concerns, research is yet to exclusively explore this in young women of pre-screening age, whose concerns may be dismissed due to age. Aim To understand the experiences of young women aged 18–40, who have presented a breast concern to their GP in England, and the impact on their psychological wellbeing. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams, to explore individual experiences. Interview transcripts were analysed using reflexive iterative thematic analysis. Results From 11 interviews, three themes were generated: “Quality of GP interactions and communication”, “GP provision of information and patient impacts” and “GP symptom management communication and patient effects”. Conclusion The research highlighted the emotional impact of positive/negative GP communication and interactions, the importance of good communication skills regarding referral appointment information, and the need for clear re-presentation timeframes. From this, it was recommended that GPs receive tailored communication skills training to improve verbal/non-verbal communication, and ensure women’s informational needs are met when presenting a breast concern, in order to better support young women in this context.</p>