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Breast Referral Rejected Private Treatment

Nat30
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Just wondering if anyone can offer any advice.

I was referred to have a lump checked by the GP but hospital consultant has rejected the referral as due to age (30)/no family history etc it is mininum risk and they want to reduce number of referrals due to Covid-19.

Since finding the lump and being told by GP it needs checking obviously very worried and have been told the only option now is go private, although GP isn't sure if they are seeing people or wait 6 weeks and they may be able to refer again.

Has anyone been private and can offer any advice on clinics? 
 

Thanks in advance.

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    Hello Nat 30

    Sorry to hear you have this worry going on.

    I have had private oncology appts. It used to be straight forward and very quick. I THINK you might find that isn’t the case now though. Covid has all but annihilated the health system both NHS and the private sector. 

    I can only  talk to an oncologist now as they won’t see you face to face. However I live in the South of England and it may be different in different areas of course. The private hospitals here though aren't yet operating properly. 

    Hoping this will soon change and you will get an appointment very soon. 

    Take care. You will feel better once you know where you are and have a clear view of the future. Wishing you the best of luck. 

    Kebb x 

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    Hi there ..

    Yes it is really rare in the young ... so the odds are in your favour .. but it's not impossible as we've had some younger lasses on here that was positive .. it's your health ... I'd go back to your G P and say you want a two week refural to breast clinic .. to hopefully put your mind at rest ...

    This covid has a lot to answer for ... let us know how you go ... Chrissie x 

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    Hi Nat,

    A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry to hear of your dilemma. How long did you have to wait before you were rejected for the breast clinic? Did ou manage to speak to the hospital consultant about your symptoms?

    The fact that your GP referred you to the breast clinic does not mean that you have cancer. GPs often refer people to rule out the presence of cancer as much as to diagnose it. These clinics have all the equipment to carry out the necessary tests, which your GP doesn't, so it is easier for them to use this streamlined process.

    You are young to have cancer, but, as Chriss says, it is still a possibility. Have you spoken to your GP about the consultant's decision? Like you, I wouldn't be happy with this. You should be entitled to a second opinion, so ask your GP for another referral. If he sends it as an urgent referral, you should be seen within 2 weeks.

    I expect that private clinics will vary as much as NHS clinics with the current pandemic. Your GP should be able to advise you of local private clinics. You could then phone them and see what their policies and waiting times are at present.

    I hope that you get this sorted out soon. Do please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,
    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thank you all for taking the time to reply.

    The initial referal from the GP was a 2 week urgent one. I wasn't given the option to speak to the consultant who hs rejected the referal, I had to speak to a nurse at my doctors regarding it, she just said it was rejected due to minumal risk and they can't refer again for 6 weeks. 
     

    It is all I think about, so worried about it. When I told the nurse this she offered anxiety medication or something to help me sleep but I don't feel that is what I need, I need to know what this lump is. They weren't very helpful in giving advice on a private clinic either unfortunately. 
     

    The nurse says that she trusts the consultants decision, but I feel like I need to know for certain. I know the risk is low but doesn't mean it definitely isn't something that needs looking at. 
     

    Thank you all.

  • Offline in reply to Nat30

     

    Hi Nat,

    I am sorry to hear that they were so unhelpful at the breast clinic.I cannot believe that your consultant didn't even give you a telephone consultation.  Look up some of the private hospitals on line and see what impresses you most. It might be worth phoning around some of them in your area to see if they can give you an appointment sooner than 6 weeks.

    You know your own body better than anyone else, so I can understand why you need to be certain what the lump is and , are keen to get an answer.

    I hope that you manage to get seen soon. Please keep us posted.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx
     

     

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