Hello,

I just wanted to make contact after reading your post. I know 9 out of 10 referrals to breast clinic turn out not to be cancer and for those that are, the waiting time makes little difference to the stage of cancer. I know I waited about 6 weeks for the result of my mammogram last year but although I had BC it had barely changed when I eventually got to go to the breast clinic. That doesn't help when you're waiting though and the anxiety can be debilitating, it's awful. I can only say what I would do and that is, if you are able to afford it, go private at least for the diagnostic tests. IF they do think it's cancer they'll tell you there and then and they're rarely wrong as experts who see this every day. Once diagnosed, you can be referred back to the NHS for treatment and they will swing into action. My friend did this as she was so anxious about her symptoms, the wait was making her ill. Its your decision like I said, some people handle things better than others. Do let us know how you get on, there's a great bunch of people in here who will support you if you need it. 

Take care 

Jane x

I should also add, you can ask the NHS breast clinic for a cancellation if you can be flexible about attending x

My breast clinic appointment has been for two weeks each time, l would hold on for this week and see if the date changes when your notes are reviewed by the clinic, they grade the appointments and see the urgent first,   If it is graded as next available appointment that's usually six to eight weeks. They have probably told you worst case. 
My doctor made my breast clinic appointment while I was with her in the surgery, so l had it before I left. It was for 14 days. 

You could ask a different hospital if they are seeing patients quicker you have to travel but the peace of mind would be worth it and cheaper than private care where they charge you for every scan ect. You may need another referral from your doctor.

l hope you have an early appointment

Take Care

susie 

It really depends on how you can cope with the wait, but you do have options.  Your GP can refer you to another local hospital who may have less of a wait time.  You can also phone the bookings clerk at the hospital daily if you can for updates/cancellations.  You can go private but unless you have medical insurance it can get very pricey to self fund.  Also do bear in mind that if the NHS breast clinic is very behind then private consultations may be booked up for weeks too.

My advice would be to keep persisting, at your local hospital and make sure your GP has referred you as an urgent referral, as non urgent ones can take much longer.

Good luck with everything.  As worrying as it is for you at the moment, do try to keep perspective as most lumps turn out to be nothing serious.

Thank you for all your kind messages, it's nice to know there are good people around it's just a shame you come across them in these circumstances. It makes me more emotional. 
 

I have spoken with the original GP I spoke to another and basically they say to just wait rather than be referred elsewhere. I also rang about private but the don't really give you a price for a biopsy and I think it will just get way to expensive to afford. 
 

One minute I think everything will be okay, then the next I can't help but think the worst. 

Everyone says the same! One minute you're feeling positive, the next you're planning your own funeral. It's a rollercoaster and it's exhausting. I'm 6 months on from my treatment now and had to get help from my GP for the anxiety which has helped enormously. It's learning to go with the flow and not stress about things you can't control which is easier said than done. Hopefully, you'll have the all clear but we are here for you whatever

Hi mintchocchip 

I am sorry to hear your appointment is taking so long as the waiting is the worst part. I have mine next week and I'm so nervous but at the same time just want to get it over with so I can move forward. 
I have good and bad days like you. Some days I'm completely fine thinking everything will be ok then other days my anxiety is through the roof and I can barely make it through the day thinking the absolute worst. 
 

Is ringing the clinic every day or every other day an option for a cancellation? When I went to my gp she said they were really busy and I could be waiting up to 6 weeks for an appointment. Luckily I got mine within the 2 weeks.

I do hope you manage to get an appointment soon!

Hello!

I was also referred under the urgent pathway and was told it would only be a couple of weeks. Worth noting that I am in Scotland and they don't have the same 2 week target as England, only diagnosis and treatment targets, which in my area are not being met.

I finally have my appointment next Saturday which is 8 weeks and 1 day after my GP referral, and that is their current wait times for all urgent appointments. I phoned and asked and they clarified that it want the wait for my appointment, only the general wait for all urgent referrals. 

Its tough waiting, but when I did ask if it would make a difference to whatever it was within the lump, I was told it wouldn't. It depends on if you feel you can wait. The first 2 weeks were the worst for me, then it strangely became easier to wait. I couldn't afford to go private, so I had no option, but I think I would have, had I been able to afford it. But hopefully if you do decide to wait, like me, the waiting will become easier. 

I hope it's not too long before you get your appointment in. Take care xx