Following a lumpectomy for DCIS last June I was told b the surgeon that as my diagnosis was so soon after my regular mammogram, it was classed as an interval diagnosis and a specific protocol should be followed. When I had my annual check this July he asked if I had received the interval diagnosis letter. I wasn’t sure but when he checked, the letter had not been issued. He asked the breast nurse to follow it up. In August I rang her to ask about the letter and she said it had been ‘filed’ but she would pursue it. Since then she has said it was ‘in hand’. Eventually, she rang me to say she had located the letter and to be reassured that two consultants had checked my diagnosis and the cancer had not been noticeable on the regular mammogram, so to be reassured. She asked if that was acceptable or did I want a copy of the letter. I said I would like a copy but I still have not had it. I do not want to keep pestering her but it’s important to me to see the assessment in black and white. Please can you advise me what I can do? Thank you, Wendy
Hello Wendy,
So sorry you are chasing a letter that should have come to you. This is not acceptable, I would contact her again and suggest you popped in to collect your letter from her asap. Should this not be possible contact PALS you are entitled to have this information it’s so important to you.
Wishing you well going forward.
Hugs Tili 
Thank you Tili for the advice. That’s a great idea. Perhaps if I offer to pick up the letter, my breast nurse will offer to send it out after all. Much appreciated!
You should ask for a subject access request. They have to provide you with all the documents they have on you from scans to biopsies to consultations.
Thank you bluesatsuma! I might resort to that if I can’t call in and pickup the letter. I’ve been trying to stay on good terms with my breast nurse but my patience is being tried 
Hello wackyny,
Thank you for posting.
It is understandable that you want to see a copy of the letter containing information about your diagnosis.
If you feel able, you could go back to your breast care nurse once more and let her know you are still waiting for the letter and make her aware how important it is to you to have it. Although you may feel you are pestering her, the request you are making is part of the care your treatment team should be able to offer you.
As @Tili suggests the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) could help you obtain the letter and give any other information or support you need. As a confidential service for patients, their families, and carers, they can contact staff and managers on your behalf and help resolve the issues you are having obtaining the letter. There should be a PALS office in the hospital you attended but you can also find your nearest PALS office on the NHS website.
As @bluesatsuma says, making a subject access request could be a next step. However, PALS would be able to help and guide you if this was needed.
We offer a range of free supportive services which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
The number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
If you would prefer one of our nurses to call you. Please complete this form ticking the box agreeing to a call back.
Our usual opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and 9am -1pm on Saturday.
Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.
We’re continually evaluating this service. If you want to provide feedback, please click the link to complete the survey . It should take approximately 10 minutes.
Best wishes
Angela
Breast Care Nurse
Please read the disclaimer Full details on how we collect and use your data can be found in our Privacy Policy
As we are unable to monitor for further replies, this thread will now be closed. If you have any additional questions or would like to provide feedback, please start a new thread, call our helpline, email us or request a call back.