Urgent Referral

Not sure if anyone has been in the same position but I was given an urgent referral from my doctor due to a lump in my breast. 2 weeks on and I haven't received an appointment. I thought an urgent referral meant you had to be seen within 2 weeks? I'm going out of my mind with worry.

  • Hello, this happened to me earlier this year. Get in touch with your GP on Monday and ask them to chase it up. 

    I have been referred again recently and was seen in a week so definitely chase up on Monday. 

    Best of luck x

  • My breast clinic said because of backlog I won't be seen for a month for my urgent referral. I'm so stressed stressed lethargic I'm panicking you know! Really worried it could be the C!

  • I spoke to the doctors this morning and they only sent the referral a few days ago. I will now have to wait up to another 3 weeks. What a nightmare..

  • Hello Random1 and thanks for posting, 

    Waiting for this sort of appointment can be an unsettling and a worrying time and I am sorry to learn that you haven't heard when you will be seen yet. 

    Unfortunately, because the NHS is so stretched after the pandemic, the two week urgent referral waiting target isn't being met everywhere at the moment. 

    If you know which hospital you have been referred to, then try calling the Breast Clinic there to find out where you are on the waiting list.  Alternatively you can get in touch with your GP to let them know you are waiting and ask them if they can help to chase it up. Your GP may be able to refer you somewhere else, but you might not be seen any sooner. 

    Keep in mind that most people referred urgently don't turn out to have cancer at the end of the day.

    Give us a ring if you want to talk anything over. Our Freephone number is 0808 800 4040 and we are around weekdays, 9-5. 

    Best wishes,

    Julia