Hi Rachel,

When I was 17 and first found a breast lump my mum ended up deciding that I would go private.  It's not like our family, my mum was an NHS nurse at the time too, but the surgeon I would be seeing was about to go on 4-week annual leave and the only way to see him before that was to get an appointment with his private practice the verynext day.  My mum had just gone through breast cancer young (43) and even though it was incredibly unlikely my lump was cancer she really just needed expedience for her mind to be put at rest.  She also really felt more at ease with me seeing her surgeon, someone she knew from her earlier nursing days.

Back then it was £90 for the consultation.  How much it costs overall depends on whether they need to do tests.  Sometimes, as in my case back then, they can diagnose a condition just by physical exam.  Many private practices have prices on their websites so if you maybe try looking up some local ones.

Remember though, you don't have to stay private, you could go private just for the initial appointment or until diagnosis, and then go back to public.

Your delay does sound excessive and surely is well in breach of the set timeframes for breast clinic appointments?

I am generally not approving of private healthcare, I wish we didn't have it at all, but can totally understand why sometimes people have exceptional circumstances that warrant it if only for the peace of mind of their loved ones.

Best of luck to you whatever you decide.  And maybe consider letting a local politician know the wait you've been given on the NHS!

LJx