I have been told that i have a high risk of breast and ovarian cancer after seeing a geneticist although i cannot be tested as my relatives have passed away. I spent nearly a year waiting to see a geneticist who i finally saw in Jan this year, and have now been told that i have to see a psychiatrist before i see a surgeon then on the waiting list for the surgery. Does anyone know if my wait so far is longer than normal and if it is an average wait how long would you expect to wait before seeing surgeon etc and op ? I have not heard a thing from geneticist . I am based in Bristol .
Hi
No do’nt worry. I waited approx 4 years fron being referred by my GP and finally having surgery in January this year. I did’nt have to see a psych though!
I am in Kent and saw genetics at Guys.
Jackie.
Hi, I had to wait about 6 months to see genetics, 3 months to see a surgeon, then the wait for surgery is 5 months. I’m in Cardiff and genetics here are pretty slow, I’ve had to chase them up a few times. My mum is waiting for an appoitment to be tested and it’s taking ages.
Good luck,
Zoe x x
Hi I think it really depends on different hospitals and sugeons and varies.
Below is a bit of a time scale of my experience. I thought it may help. Sorry if it bores you!!
I got my results sept 14th and surgery is booked for dec 31st. About 3 months in Nottingam but I pushed hard. Below is a more detailed list of timescales:
July 2006 The genetics team contacted me as they had seen there was bc and ovarian in my family.
Sept 2006 (approx) They arranged a meeting about a month after and discussed it with me.
Feb 2007 (approx)Then my sister agreed to be tested as she had bc. She had blood taken about feb 2007.
July 2007 We got her results in and had to meet a genetics counsellor to dicuss whether I wanted to be tested. I got tested then and there.
Sept 14th I found out that I was brac1 when I met with genetic counsellor again. We weren’t very impressed as we felt she gave me the bad results and said nothing. We made an appointment oct 3rd with the Breast care nurse and surgeon.
Oct 3rd had appointment with breast care nurse and surgeon and they recommended surgery before starting my family as they believe mammograms and Mri’s aren’t affective enough.
Oct 12th met with breastcare nurse and surgeon and said I wanted to go ahead with surgery. 2 weeks after tried very hard to contact them again and book a date for surgery. Got private quote and dates and NHS dates.
Nov 2nd BC nurse and surgeon himself called me and booked my operation for 31st dec. they initially were looking into the new year but I was desperate to get it done as soon as possible so my life could get back to normal next year. New Years was free so I took it.
Dec 31st double mastectomy and tissue expanders sucessfully completed.
I got to see my surgeon 3 weeks after I requested and then had my operation only about 2 and a half months later. I was very lucky but did push hard.
Best of luck
Katie xx
Thanks for all your comments, it seems like I’m going to have to make a nuisance of myself to get things done, i should be used to that as i have a disabled child and i have had to push hard to get things done for him too! Will keep you posted
Alison x