Hello Buntie

I'm sorry to hear that you're still waiting on an appointment at breast clinic regarding the lump you found in October. 

We have had lots of women commenting on the forum over the past months about the extended waiting times to be seen and understandably it can cause additional worry about things. 

If you're able to attend the hospital at short notice then it may be worth giving them a ring after Christmas to see if they hold a cancellation list. It may be that you're able to get an appointment sooner if so. 

I know it can be a very worrying time waiting for tests and appointments. Although a cliche, try to keep busy and not think too far ahead into the future. The majority of women seen in breast clinic aren't diagnosed with cancer and keeping that in mind may help you to get through the next few weeks. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator 

Thank you for your reply,

I am already on their cancellation list so maybe I will hear something sooner rather than later. 

For the most part, I am quite good at getting on with things and putting it to the back of my mind but occasionally it does get me a bit down. And you're right, the chances of it being something concerning are low so I just remind myself of that.

Hope you have an enjoyable Christmas xx

I’m in Scotland, had an appointment at the breast clinic on the 23rd, 12 days after I first developed symptoms, 9 days from gp referral. It’s my first experience though so no idea if that is normal.

Hello, That was quick! How did it go? Hope everything was alright.

Can I ask what health board region you're in? I'm in tayside xx

It went ok. I think it was so quick because my symptoms  point to one of two things, mastitis or inflammatory breast cancer, the latter being worse case breast cancer.

I started responding to antibiotics before I got there, so almost assumed everything was fine, most of the symptoms had disappeared, and I hoped they would discharge me the same day. That didn’t happen, they are still saying everything looks like mastitis, but when they tried the needle aspiration, they didn’t get any fluid, that’s worrying me somewhat, it rules out cysts and abscess being the cause of the lumps I still have and suggests something more solid. 

The radiologist talked about there being lots of debris in the mammary glands, skin thickening, active lymph nodes and of course the lack of fluid during the aspiration, all bad indications, but the doctor seemed very upbeat and positive it’s all fine, part of me wonders if she just didn’t want to give bad news two days before Christmas, but that’s probably unfounded, they wouldn’t do that, would they? 

I need to go back for another ultrasound scan in 2-3 weeks to check things are settling down. 

I come under the  same health board. 

I would try to go for ‘no news, is good news’ as in they think your symptoms are benign, so not in a rush to get you in. Easier said than done though and I understand the worry of not knowing for certain though. I will be keeping my fingers crossed you get seen and the all clear soon. X I was told there is currently around 100 referrals a week to the clinic, I read in the paper  they have another radiographer joining the team shortly, so that should speed things up hopefully. 

Hello, thanks for replying.

Sounds very painful, I can understand why you were rushed through. I'm no doctor but surely a good sign that you were responding to the antibiotics as that would suggest mastitis? Are you still on them?

I just had a quick Google on IBC and I think if they really thought it was that they wouldn't wait 2-3 weeks for a second scan - don't think they would do the no bad news as it Christmas thing! 

Please let me know how you get on at your second scan.

Good news that they have employed an extra radiographer, perhaps things can move along a bit quicker now. That's a scary amount of referrals!.

Fingers crossed xx

Hi

I also come under Tayside and am wondering if you have been seen yet? I was referred to the clinic at the start of December with a breast lump and was told last week it would be another 13 week wait. 

Thanks. 

Hello

Sorry to hear you're going through this. 13 weeks! The waiting is awful isn't it? Have you told the clinic that you can go on the short notice cancellation list? It might help.

No, I've not been seen yet, it's 12 weeks today since I first went to the doctors and got a 2 week urgent referral. When I first phoned to find out what was happening I was told it could be 7 weeks, next time it was 8 weeks, then 9 weeks, then 3 months but as that was just before Christmas it would probably be longer! I phoned again at the start of last week and all they could say was that it definitely wouldn't be January as all those appointments had already been made. 

I was back at the doctor's on Monday as I now have a swollen gland in my armpit as well as the original lump. She was very reassuring but also a bit shocked that I haven't received an appointment yet. She was going to chase it up but I still haven't heard anything. :(

Hope you hear soon, please keep me informed.

Fingers crossed xx

So sorry to hear you're still waiting, it is awful having to wait so long. I hope you get an appointment soon.

Yes I asked them to put me down for short notice cancellations. The same thing happened to me, the second time I phoned to see if there were any appointments the waiting time was even longer so I don't know what's happening. I don't suppose it helps worrying but it is hard and you don't feel like you can plan anything until you're seen.

Hope you're feeling OK and that you get seen soon. Xx