Hi, sorry to hear you're going through the stress of waiting. I'm in the same boat. I have waited 5 weeks for my appointment, which is on Friday. I was referred on a 2ww, but my hospital were also behind. 
I think the only things that have really helped me are things that bring about some distraction. I know it's hard. Reading, TV watching, baking with my kids - absoloutley anything that will keep me from solely focussing on it. 
I hope you manage to get through the next few weeks as peacefully as possible if you decide to wait for NHS appointment and that the outcome is all good for you. Vic x

Hi I am currently waiting for a breast referral after seeing my GP yesterday with a lump . She did say the wait was around 3 weeks in my area and I'm going out of my mind with worry. I literally feel like I'm going crazy. 

Today I have spent all day looking at private hospitals online and although the waiting time is lower (1-2 weeks) I would only be able to afford the initial screening so if treatment needed I'd have to go back to NHS. Not sure if it's risky to go private then back to NHS regarding paperwork and wait times etc.

it's such a horrible predicament In my mind I just wanted to be seen today and have done with it I can't stand the anxiety x

Hi kcha,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that you have this long wait. Unfortunately, many hospitals are behind schedue at present, so you are not alone. Waiting to be seen is always a worrying time and occupying your mind with other things is usually the best way to cope with the wait.

Have you informed the hospital that you would be willing to take any cancellations that come up? This can sometimes get you seen a little sooner. Try not to panic, as only 1 person in every 8 referred via this pathway ends up with a cancer diagnosis. 

The cost of going private will vary from one hospital to the next. The best thing to do is to phone your local hospital to enquire. Remember, that your first visit might need to include not only the cost of your initial consultation, but also any tests that need to be carried out - usually mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. 

If it did turn out to be cancer, chances are that you would want to go to the NHS for treatment and could have a further wait to be re-referred - it's a case of swings and roundabouts really! Do please keep in touch and let us know what you decide to do and remember, that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Caz-worried,

A very warm welcome to our forum. 

I am sorry to hear that you find yourself in this unenviable situation too. As someone who has had two bouts of breast cancer in the past 12 years, I appreciate your concerns about waiting. However, I agree with your thoughts on the NHS/ Private conundrum.

By the sounds of things, you are not going to reduce your wait by much if you go private. However, you could end up having to wait longer to get re-referred back into the NHS after your private consultation - as I said in my previous post to kcha, it really is a case of swings and roundabouts.

As I also suggested to kcha, it might be worth your time phoning your consultant's secretary to say that you are willing to take any cancellations that may come up in the meanwhile. I hope that you don't have too long to wait and that all turns out well.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

I have enquired to go private. £500 total for consultant, tests and results in one day. Its cheaper if your older and can have a mammogram instead of ultrasound. I'm also on the 2WW and I am tempted to pay I can't carry on as anxious as I am 

Hi [@kcha77]‍ 

When I was waiting for an appointment, I also enquired about going private. I could be seen the next day. However, if anything did show up, unless I could afford to pay for private treatment, I would have to go back to NHS and to the back of the queue unfortunately.

As it happened, I rang the breast clinic appointment line and said I could take any cancellations. They actually rang me back 3 hours later and offered me a cancellation appointment the next day. It's worth a try x

Thank you for your advice Vic and sorry to hear you've had to go through the same thing. I will try and keep busy, I think it's the only way I'll be able to get through it. Good luck for Friday. I'll keep everything crossed for you. Xx

That's what I was worried about, thank you for confirming. I'll ring them back and ask for any cancellations. Xx

Sorry to hear you're going through the same thing, it's horrible and it's going to be tough. Like the others have said I think the only way to get through is to keep busy. I hope you manage to get seen quickly it and it's all good when you do xx