I went to the gp on Tuesday for a lump in my left breast. Doctor confirmed it is 10cm long and sent a 2ww referral to the breast clinic. On my nhs app is stated if I hadn’t heard by today to call. So called this morning they said the 2ww isn’t a thing anymore and it’s 28 days. She said they are sorting appointments today that were referred on the 13th march. My referral was 24th march so she said I won’t hear for while about an appointment.
My anxiety is through the rough about the long wait!
Up until recently getting the first appointment within two weeks was the plan but what they found was lots of patients getting the first appointment quickly but then the follow up would potentially be delayed which would cause lots of stress.for the patient.
So now they have refined it as best they can to get a situation where you get that first appoinment with scans and biopsy if needed and they really concentrate on meeting the month deadline where they can diagnose the patient or rule out a condition that needs treating within three or four weeks .
Thereby speeding up any tratment that is needed. But of course it makes the waiting feel horrible and very long.
I have a similar thing as I had pain and saw the gp last year in December and because my main symptom was pain I was not referred at all and told to wait until the routine mammogram screening for over 50s’was in my area .
I waited till Feb to get my scan and then a futher appointment in feb to get a ultrasound and biopsy.
The biopsy was benign but was discordant with ultrasound so now I am scheduled for a futher sugical biopsy in April.
So I understand your anxiety! So sending you good wishes for that appointment .
I’m sorry you are in the waiting position, it’s horrible and I’m sure we can all empathise with how you are feeling.
It may sound like you are having to wait a longer time, but in reality the 28 days wouldn’t be much different to what lots of people have experienced. People referred on the 2WW should have been seen within 14 days by a specialist so that would be the initial clinic where you wouldn’t necessarily be told whether it is cancer (some are given an indication, others like me simply told “something” had been found). It seems there is usually a wait of two weeks for biopsy results so that would take it to up to four weeks before a diagnosis. The new 28 day guidelines say you should receive a diagnosis or have cancer ruled out in that time so really it’s the same but with potentially more waiting for the initial appointment.
It’s really hard, but try to focus on that you will have your appointment soon and know one way or another. Whatever the outcome people will be here to support you or answer any questions you have. x