Anxious

Hi All.

After finding a lump in my breast and experiencing back and shoulder pain my GP referred me to my local breast clinic. I have today chased up my appointment as it has been a week and a half since the referral was made, only to be told that it is now a 3-4 week wait due to lack of radiographers. I'm so incredibly anxious as it is; 3-4 weeks is such a long time to wait when you're worrying. Has anybody else experienced a 3-4 week wait for their first appointment? X

  • I'm no expert in breast cancer waiting times but if you're in England I believe the maximum wait is supposed to be two weeks IF your GP suspects breast cancer and has made an appropriate referral. 

    Talk to your GP to check what type of referral was made and maybe to your CCG who may refer you to another NHS Trust which is capable of meeting this standard. "You have the legal right to ask to be seen or treated by a different provider if you're likely to wait longer than the maximum waiting time specified for your treatment. The hospital or clinical commissioning group (CCG) will have to investigate and offer you a range of suitable alternative hospitals or clinics that would be able to see you sooner. If you're not happy with the organisation's response, you can complain using the NHS complaints procedure." www.nhs.uk/.../

     

    Good luck

    Dave

  • Thank you, Dave, that's really helpful. I will get in touch with my GP.

    Claire 

  • I think I read when i was waiting for my partner results that by law it can be up to 4 weeks waiting. Talking from experience, if it is important results flag up and you will get a call sooner rather than later. It is a really stressful time, but try to keep as calm as you can although sometimes is impossible. Sending you love, hope it all goes ok

  • Sadly that isn't true - you really can't second guess the outcome of tests or scans by the time taken to contact you. So many people get anxious when they get called back sooner than expected and others wrongly assume the news is good if things get delayed.

    NHS diagnostic services are so over-stretched and there is a postcode lottery so far as diagnostic services are concerned. Results that take 5 days in one area can take over 4 weeks in other areas. Sadly there is no legal requirement around reporting times - just targets which have gone from being rarely missed in 2010 to rarely achieved in 2019. 

    It is the most stressful time for sure :-(