I think the NHS has some of the best care for Breast cancer patients and a lot of money and research is put into this type of cancer. I'm sure some of our breast cancer ladies will pop by and explain how they have been treated. My husband has incurable lung cancer and was given a 7% success rate but after four years of treatment he is still here and his treatment has been exemplary. It's a shock and we all want the best for our loved ones, so see what others say. All the best for you and Mum, Carol
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and I cannot commend the treatment I've had from the NHS highly enough. The amazing level of care and compassion I have been shown throughout has been outstanding.
Once I was diagnosed things moved so fast. I was given my treatment plan on the day I had my results. My surgery was less than 4 weeks later. And the chemotherapy began as soon as possible to allow for healing.
The aftercare in relation to the operation was amazing. My breast clinic has a drop in clinic Mon - Fri. And I could contact the nurses by phone whenever I needed to. Whilst having chemo I have a 24hr phone number to ring. Nothing at all has been too much trouble, no questions have been too silly. And just as importantly I have been made to feel very safe and secure by people who clearly know what they are doing.
Everyone has their own opinions/way they want to go about things, understandably, as this is such a huge thing to have to deal with. But I just wanted to say that as far as my experience is panning out I couldn't be more thankful that I'm being cared for by the NHS right now.
If she doesn't have private health insurance, there is the option of self pay (pay directly to a private hospital) but that could cost thousands. Pre-existing conditions are an issue...insurance companies may refuse to cover something for five years (called 'a waiting period') that was a health issue before you took out health insurance. I'd recommend doing research on the policy around pre-existing conditions..whether different health insurance companies vary in this regard. If that's not an issue and she does decide to take out cover, check what public and private hospitals are covered in the table of benefits as well as what level of cover she could realistically afford.
I don't know anything about breast cancer per se but check if there's a family history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer as family members could have the BRCA gene that increases risk of either form of cancer. You can get BRCA gene testing to check. I have an ovarian cyst and I was asked about family history of breast/ovarian cancer by my gynaecologist so it's something important to flag here. It's hard to spot ovarian cancer but just look up symptoms-bloating that doesn't go away, changes in bowel movements, lower back ache, unexplained bleeding. I really want to highlight it as the symptoms can seem similar to IBS/Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I've been told that my cyst is benign but the biopsy will need to confirm this so it's quite anxiety provoking.
Patients with cancer diagnoses tend to be prioritised within the entire health system plus there's been a lot of research on breast cancer.
No problem at all. If you have any other questions please ask. I'm no expert and can only draw from my own experience but as I said it's been brilliant so far - if you can call having cancer treatment brilliant! Xxx
If not, once you're in the NHS system (which having the official 'cancer' diagnosis does) it moves quickly and effectively.
I went private but only because I have private health insurance through work and due to the original diagnostic timescales on NHS was already in the private system and I'd already paid my initial £100 premium. But I'll be honest with you, the radiographer is the exact same person either way, my macmillan nurse is the same person, my consultant is the same person, my surgeon is the same person.
The main thing that is different is I can only choose between a Wednesday and a Friday for my follow ups (NHS I wouldnt have a choice but could be any day).
My dressing changes all need to be at the hospital, I'm not eligible for community nursing at home, like district nursing in the NHS.
Whenever I need treatment, I need pre approval. I had an infection which needed urgent readmission and felt super ill but needed to go through the admin rigmoral to make sure I had my authorisation codes.
My prescriptions were covered but this is very rare, most private prescriptions aren't covered which can get expensive.
The food is immensely good, I'd be happy with it in a restaurant, except I didn't have an appetite, I'd just had surgery... So... Didn't really get to appreciate it.
You get a private room and en suite bathroom. OK this is a big deal in hospital. But it also means you're very isolated and can't make any chit chat with other patients. I was only in hospital for 2nights so had enough Netflix to entertain me. But as much as NHS hospitals give people lots to moan about with sleep etc, is "going private" enough to counteract this if you don't already have the insurance?
This is not an easy choice for you. We do have to acknowledge that having this choice is a luxury in itself. And I appreciate going private will mean you feel like you're helping but all you need to do right now is be available, help distract your mum in the day to day and make her laugh. I promise you, you can still find things to laugh at that will totally make your mums day.
Hi, I had breast cancer diagnosis just on Tuesday gone after finding lump in boob 3rd August and seeing GP on the 5th august
I've had mamogram , ultrasound , ultrasound guided biopsy of lump and lymph. Had titanium biopsy marker inserted. Repeat mamogram and saw Dr all done on 10th August. Results discussed on 16th and I'm meeting I had appt with consultant for results day 17th August. i need pre assessment (ECG bloods chest X-ray), radioactive seed implant. Covid swab. Radioactive lymph tracer to tack down the lymph nearest lump. And lumpectomy and sentinal node removal on sept 15th. Seems ages to wait but 6 weeks from finding lump to surgery is marvellous really.
Im not sure how much money that would cost privately. You could enquire regarding cost and timescale.
Thank you everyone for your posts and replies. Apologies it's taken me this long to get back to you.
We have decided the NHS treatment is clearly amazing and hopefully mum's treatment will start soon.
Mum was diagnosed 3 weeks ago and last week moved house as we are buying a place with an annexe for her and my Dad (this was before diagnosis) so it's been a very stressful week. Xxx
