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How long to wait for breast clinic appointment?

Jadey93
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Hi Everyone!

I hope someone can help reassure me or calm me down a little!

I found a lump in my breast just before Christmas.

I gave it a couple of weeks just to see if it went away, it didn't. It seams to have stayed the same size and I have been getting a strange shooting pain through my breast which is pretty constant. Stress levels are going through the roof right now!

I was referred for a breast clinic appointment 10 days ago but haven't heard anything yet as I'm sure the hospitals are super busy at the minute.

My question is how long should I wait before contacting anyone about the referral? I feel guilty being that person pestering the GP but also don't want to miss the appointment if the post is delayed! I am 27 so am worried I will get moved to the bottom of the list because of my age.

Hopefully sharing this with people who have been there themselves will help with the massive anxiety I have at the minute!

Thank you,

Jade xx

  • Hello Jade

    I'm sorry to hear that you've recently found a breast lump. We know that this period of time waiting for an appointment can be really difficult for some people and it's understandable that you're feeling anxious at the moment. 

    We know from posts here on the forum that many women are experiencing delays in appointments due to Covid19 pressures but I certainly don't think there's any harm in giving the hospital a call to check that your referral has been received and ask if they can advise you how long you may have to wait for an appointment. If you're available to attend at short notice it may also be worth asking if they have a cancellation list. 

    Try to stay positive in the meantime. You do have age on your side but also, the large majority of women who attend breast clinic do not go on to be diagnosed with cancer. 

    If you think it may help to talk to someone then you're welcome to call our team of nurses. They're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I hope you have some news soon. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Jenn

    Hi Jade,

    I am in a similar position to you in that I have been waiting for an appointment after a referral. Do chase this up as I rang the hospital clinic this morning and found out my GP practice hadn't actioned it. The practice claimed the referral is 'routine' but I don't feel there is anything routine about this kind of situation. I don't know if this is the same in every region but they send you the letter now and you book the appointment yourself and they hadn't even sent the letter to me. If I hadn't rang up to chase, who knows how much longer I would have had to wait.

    I'm sure your referral has been done but definitley a good idea to follow up on these things and fingers crossed all is ok when you do go for your check. Rest assured, I don't think your age will slow the process down but the clinics are understandably under pressure due to COVID.

    Best wishes,

    Sarah

  • Offline in reply to Sarah2831

    Hi Jade,

     

    I found a lump before Christmas and was referred to breast clinic by my GP. My appointment letter came through fairly quickly but my actual appointment isn't until 19th January which will be almost a month since I went to GP. I tried to get the appointment brought forward but they have advised that due to covid they can only run so many appointment day as all the waiting areas are closed so can't have any overlapping.

    It may be worth chasing them up though as different health boards may have different policies etc

    Hope you're OK x

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