Hi, I was diagnosed on 22nd sept. Grade 2, no lymph nodes infected, 9mm with
Good clear margins, had wle on 20th oct, started tam on 27th oct, went 2 see
Onc doctor and 2 discuss my radiotherapy treatment, and have been told there is
A 8 to 12 week waiting list?? I did mention that I was under the impression that 2 ensure u get the best outcome you should receive your radiotherapy six weeks af after surgery, she agreed with me but nothing she can do. I live in glasgow. So five months after being diagnosed I could start my treatment? Is this right? I’m really worried? Or is this normal? Thank u xx
I can’t comment on what time scale you have for your care, but a little while back there were posts asking the other ladies how long they have waited to start rads. There were lots of different answers and some ladies had been told that it was highly unlikely that the bc would spread within that time.
I hope this helps.
Hi Gordok, saw your post title and guessed where you were! Yes, the wait here is 8-12 weeks, partly down to lack of facilties in Scotland (our local does about half the country plus people come over from Edinburgh apparently as we have better nuking machines). I started rads about 9 weeks after my surgery, but that’s cos my onc saw me a week post surgery and filled the form in to say I was ‘ready’ then, when clearly I wasn’t. There was also an admin foul up which delayed things by a week.
I think the six weeks is a guideline not an exact figure and honestly don’t think that the difference of (up to) six weeks will be that significant on outcomes.
Please try not to worry too much, they are really good once you get going, and their results seem to be at least on a par with other places.
Feel free to PM if you wish
Hi gordok1,
My notes were left sitting on someone’s desk somewhere between hospitals therefore I had to phone and chase up what was happening with rads. I eventually had mark up appointment but was due to go on holiday during rads, onc and radiologist had a meeting and I started rads after my holiday, this was approx 9 weeks after my last surgery. I didn’t really enjoy holiday because I was so worried about my delay starting rads, I was also taking tamoxifen. I was told that the length of time between my surgery and rads was borderline at 9/10 weeks. Hope this helps and lessens your worries, I basically sailed through rads with little side effects, take care xx
Hi, thank you for responding, the onc told me that my prognosis was good and I know I’m lucky compared 2 others, but why do I worry now and think the worst? My mind is working overtime now thinking about the wait. I’m sure this is normal?? Xx
That’s exactly what I was doing, the mind works in funny ways, I did start to freak myself out about the delay but everything turned out fine. You are also taking tamoxifen which is helping too. Please try not to worry too much, take care xx
Hi - I had my MX 5 weeks ago and was worried as well as rads not starting till 19th Dec . I am going to Glasgow too . However i was assured it was within ok timescale , Basically nothing we can do about this one !!
xx
Hi All, I was diagnosed with Grade 2 IDC in December 2010. When I was told that my rads start date was 13 weeks after my lumpectomy, I was horrified and very scared that the delay would allow the gremlins to grow and spread. I, too, was treated at Beatson in Glasgow. I was told that the delay was because of the weather conditions we had experienced in Glasgow in December which had resulted in a backlog because many patients had been unable to keep their appointments.
I wrote to my MP, MSP, Greater Glasgow Health Board and to Nicola Sturgeon to complain about the waiting time and that it seemed those living in West of Scotland were losing out on a postcode lottery! Bottom line was that Onc told me that as I had started on Tamoxifen on 19th Jan, then I was protected. I also received a letter (via my MSP) from Head Consultant Onc in GGHB stating that there was no evidence to support my theory that my chances of recurrence/spread were jeopardised by the delay in my rads starting.
It is such a worry when your rads is delayed and is a worry we don’t need when trying to deal with the rollercoaster of a bc diagnosis.
Can only suggest that everyone write to Scottish Parliament like I did (without much success), but maybe the more people who complain might make a difference.
Best wishes to all,
Pauline
It’s completely unacceptable, and personally, I would write to my MP, and contact my local newspaper/newspapers, since this is an issue that will impact not only on you, but others in your community.
Hi, its disgraceful pollykay, we worry continually with this disease and then we have 2 put up with the waiting game also. I will be writing. Thnk u ladies 4 all your comments, so glad I joined this forum. Xx
Its very strange that they say there is no risk from delaying rads. I had rads in 2009 and was not allowed to delay them a couple of weeks to allow me to go on holiday which was booked and paid for. My rads were 6 weeks after my op. I am also in Scotland.
There was a recent petition by Macmillan cancer care re funding for therapy radiographers.
There is money available in the NHS to speed up diagnosis but the speed of treatment varies greatly. I think when you have your first OP they can tick a box to say you received treatment within the timescale guidelines.
It’s totally unacceptable, and if it were me, I would contact my MP and local newspaper. There needs to be a shake up.
I was also treated in Glasgow. I’m sure the guide lines are 6weeks between surgery and start of rads. When I questioned the delay I was told, as Pauline was, it was due to people not able to keep appointments due to the severe weather. I was told that I had a ten week window and started rads at the beginning of week 10.
Tina
x