Hello-
I feel a bit silly writing with nothing yet confirmed but I found a lump yesterday, went to the doctors and have been referred to a bc clinic which she said could take up to two weeks. I have reacted quite badly and been in tears for most of yesterday and today…I think I hoped that as I am only 29 she would just say to monitor it (although I know you can get bc at any age). I am now starting to panic about how long I have had it and if the sore back I have had for the last few weeks could be connected…
I feel that this two week wait could drive me crazy and was wondering if any of you have experience of going private (I am covered through work)… I would normally always want to go through nhs but i am feeling really anxious and desperate to find out what the situation is as I am imagining the worst!
I am sorry to babble on as I know that a lot of you ladies are going through worse… just felt the need to share as am not telling anyone besides my husband at the moment as think i will worry more if i see family and friendsworrying!
Thank you!
Hi Lupita,
There was a young girl on here a few weeks ago, that asked the same question about going private, if l remember right she didn’t have private cover, but was willing to pay to get the result out of the way. l think there was only about 4 days difference, anyway she said she could not wait and paid, she had good results, and no sign of breast cancer.
If you have cover from work, then l would go for that, why would you wait and worry, when you can be seen so much sooner.
The cover is there for you to use, so use it! even if it is a day different before results, one day can drive you mad!
Good Luck
Sandra xxx
Hi Lupita
Firstly welcome to the forums, I am sure you will find them a friendly and supportive place.
Waiting for appointments is one of the worst times and your anxieties are completly normal…not silly at all.
If it helps to talk, do call the helpline they are great listeners. They’re open until 2pm today and 9-5 Monday to Friday.
The number is 0808 800 6000.
Also, we have a factsheet which you might find useful to read. Its about referral to the Breast Clinic and here’s the link:
breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/referral_redesign__final_14_feb_08_0.pdf
Kind regards.
Louise
Facilitator
I agree - if you have cover from work then use it… Presumably one of the reasons companies offer this type of benefit is so staff are not needlessly worrying when they could get an all clear… I really hope that everything is fine but if not you will find so much support here and the sooner any treatment started the better…
Take care
Theresa x
Hi Lupita,
Nothing silly about coming here for advice etc. That’s what this entire site is about…so you did the right thing.
I would say that if you have cover from work then use it, two weeks is forever (even though only months ago it could be up to 3 months for referral…that would be like an eternity) to wait and each minute seems like a hundred years. The thing most people suffer most with is the waiting, its like torture and we have all been there, trying to get information about our bodies as quickly as possible.
So, get on the phone and make that appointment, you can do this at the weekend too as I was offered an appointment on a sunday once.
Hope the results are fast and good for you
Suze x
As you may notice, I am a bloke, but my wife has just been diagnosed.
It is utterly normal to worry about any test. Even though my wife got the result we feared, I think I was more upset during the period before the appointment. Being a bloke, I think that is simply down to not knowing. We now know what we are dealing with and are getting a plan to deal with it.
For some the figures help - the majority of referrals are nothing to worry about and you are young - but for others it does not.
While it may be up to two weeks for a referral, it may be sooner. When my wife was referred it was just over a week. She saw her GP on a Wednesday and the appointment arrived Thursday. It may not be that long a wait.
As for your doc referring you - there are clear guidelines for the docs on referral, and it is better to go and get it properly checked - that way you KNOW it is nothing to worry about having been checked by people with the right equipment and the experience of checking these things out daily.
If you have company provided private care, dig out the paperwork now and check that you are covered (not everything is covered - you ma find that there are exeptions or things like minimum NHS wait times). There will almost certainly be a helpline number to call. Phone it and talk to them. As has been said you may well be seen quicker. You will probably get any follow up appointments quicker like any results.
I hope all goes well for you,
Paul.
Lupita use the private health , do it straight away . I don´t believe in paying into anything and then not using it . It´s there for your benefit . Theré are times when the NHS is too slow , this for you is one of them .Get it sorted monday and you´ll know what you are dealing with that much sooner .
Waiting is agony , we´ve all been there and would´nt wish it on our worst enemies ,if you can speed it up or by-pass it go for it .Very best of luck to you , if you need us , we are all here .
Kris
Thank you all for taking the time to write such kind and supportive feedback- it really means a lot especially as I understand that some of you are are going through much more difficult times at the moment. I think I will try to go private- I phoned and found out that I could get an appointment this Tuesday evening so if I can sort childcare out (I want my husband to come with me if possible!) I will go then or Wednesday… I just need to get my doctor to refer me so will have to call first thing on monday. I just wanted to ask one other question… it certainly isnt the worst of my fears at the moment but I am feeling a bit nervous of the biopsy I have heard you often need… I know there are a couple different types but i was wondering if they hurt very much or take a very long time to do? Also, how long does it tend to take to get the results back after scans and other tests are done?
Thank you all again, so nice to be able to ask all the questions I have been storing up!
Hi Lupita you are not alone i have just logged onto this site because like you i found a lump on tues,saw my doctor weds but carnt get to bc till next weds it feels like a life time,i feel silly too being so stressed about it,its the fear of the unknown thats worse.i rang my local private nuffield hospital when i got home on weds and they said i the soonist i could be seen would be next monday and it could cost around £1,000 as i dont have private health care and they carnt see me any quicker i will wait till weds.im 55 and had a xray when i was 50 nothing to worry about also had one when i was 53 and got called back,terrified but told all ok just a shadow,that was in my right breast,the lump i have now is in my left and when the doctor felt it she said it was a consierable size! which has now freaked me out completely.my hubby doesnt know what to say or do,bless him im just trying to keep so busy till weds,but inside im knotted up.hope all turns out to be ok for you and me love x
Lupita - glad to hear you have been in contact about the private appointment - I had two types of biopsy - first they numbed the area by an injection (same as being at the dentist…) then the first was called a fine needle asperation (fna) and is exactly that - they insert a needle and withdraw some fluid. The second type is called a core biopsy and uses a device to take a small sample of tissue it makes a very loud clicking noise. I had some bruising afterwards. It is hard to say how long the appointment will take as it depends on what they find but normally you will be examined first, then sent for a mammogram and then an ultrasound. In my case the consultant doing the ultrasound was able to use that to guide the biopsys - the number done would depend on how many suspicious areas they find and whether they want to look at any suspious lymph nodes…
On the positive side if it seems to be something like a cyst they can also tell that there and then and might even use the needle to drain it for you there and then…
I really hope that you both get good news and remember we are all here for you everystep of the way…
I was given my diagnosis on the day as it was clear from my fna (this was due to the rare type of bc I have being very obvious under a microscope…) but core biopsys can take about a week to come back with the exact results with hormone status and grade etc.
Theresa x
Hi Lupita, Really pleased you managed to get an appointment so soon, no point in waiting if you have private care!
As for the biopsy, l had 3 in the breast and 2 near the armpit, they take a second to do, he told me it sounds like a staple gun, l did say l wasn’t worried about the noise, more the pain! slight pain, but really nothing to worry about, over too quick! I only had one ‘type’ just different places. Although for a few days after l was quite bruised, but nothing to worry about.
Being NHS my results took nearly about 10 days, everywhere is different.
Good Luck for Tuesday/Wednesday, let us know how you get on xxx
weightwatcher,
Sorry to hear you also found a lump, good luck for wednesday. I think these GP’s just like to frighten us, it may be a considerable size, but that does not mean it is not treatable, it has amazed me the size of some of the ladies ‘lumps’ on here. So just hold on tight until Wednesday. Fingers crossed for good news for you. Very difficult for men isn’t it! as long as he is there for you, he needs to say nothing until you see the surgeon. Then you can talk it through, and if he finds it difficult…well you know where we are
Good Luck
Sandra xxx
Sandra
Hi ladies,
I thought the Breast Cancer Care publication “Referral to a breast clinic” might be helpful- it gives details of the different types of tests you may have. I have attached the link below:
Very best wishes
Janet
BCC Facilitator
thank you all for your reassurance about the tests- going to try to get everything booked tomorrow!
Weightwatcher- sorry to hear that you are also in this situation- wishing you lots of luck with your tests- how are you doing today? I’m still feeling pretty tearful and scared about my appointment!
Hello- just wanted to let you all know that I got the all clear from the consultant today! Thank you all so much for taking the time to write to me when I was so worried and scared. I admire you all so much for handling your situations with what seems to be a great deal of grace and for taking the time to help others finding themselves in worrying situations. I wish you all luck with fighting this nasty nasty disease and thank you again for taking time out to write to me.
Best wishes,
Lupita
from weightwatcher,been to clinic today,they were wonderful.i do have a lump and have had a cone biopsy got to go back next tuesday for results.dont really know what to expect from this,the doctor was bit scary she asked me if i had any questions but at this time she had just told i had a lump and would be doing the biopsy i was just shaking so much i could barely talk never mind think about questions,i feel like i have a 100 now!.thank you for this site even if no ones reading it its good to get it off my chest! thank you
Hi,
I found a lump in my left breast last Monday, almost two weeks ago, my GP referred me for some tests but I am yet to receive and appointment. I am getting very anxious about this as I already suffer from an anxiety disorder and this is making my symptoms worse. How long does it take to get an appointment at a breast clinic? Any help would be greatly appreciated, i am very worried.
Hi weightwatcher and babybliss,
So sorry that you find yourselves here and I do hope that you will both soon have good news. I think that there is a recommended time limit for referrals but I’m not sure what it is - someone will be along to tell you soon, I’m sure.
The waiting is awful and is almost the hardest part. do ask any questions here as there are many really lovely people who will help out.
Sorry I can’t answer the questions but I do wish you all the best, take it one day at a time and be strong.
Best wishes,
miscally
Hi Babyliss,
When I was referred to the rapid access clinic by my GP in July this year I was told that their target is to see you within 2 weeks. I waited in the GPs surgery while they rang the clinic and got my appointment before I left - exactly 2 weeks later (as the clinic apparently only runs 2 days per week).
I would suggest that you chase this up as a matter of urgency, you should have at least been given a date by now. Chase up both your GP and the breast clinic if you can. Best wishes xxx
Hi thanks for the help, I have contacted my GP and they were not helpful in the least basically telling me they couldn’t give me a timescale on the appointment and did not know what breast clinic I had been referred to. As far as I am aware there is only one breast screening program in my area but I managed to call out of office hours so have sent an email and I am awaiting a reply. I find this quite ridiculous.
Thanks for all your help.