Hi, I have received a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis and I am still waiting for a treatment plan. My worry is that they have also found a small lump in my other breast. The appointment for mammogram/ultrasound came through and it’s in two weeks. Can that be right?
Hi there, I got my formal diagnosis on 22nd July and had surgery on 10 August so under 3 weeks. However, I don’t know if that’s just because it’s an efficient teaching hospital or if it needed to happen in that time frame - they didn’t seem to be in a big rush. One thing that can happen is they put in a later appointment as a safety net and then call you out of the blue to bring it forward. The mammogram appointment for your other breast might might just be there so they can check it just before your surgery and if needed, include it at the last minute. But I’m not a doctor so you can call your breast clinic anytime to get reassurance about the time frame and there is also a number to speak to a nurse on this site and the MacMillan site has a helpline. One thing that’s become clear to me over the last few weeks is there is a lot of support and treatment for breast cancer compared to other health conditions and breast cancer teams really seem to know what they’re doing so it’s probably just some reassurance and information you need. It’s a stressful time but given how treatments have advanced in recent years, all should be well and you’ll be through this difficult period before you know it.
Hi lovely, I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I’m right here with you - diagnosed stage three last weds and waiting on further tests seems completely mental when you’re living with this thing and nothing seems to be happening. I’ve just been leaning on my BCN to try and speed things through. Advocate advocate advocate. It is so so hard though when you feel these things are out of your control 
sending you massive hugs in this hellish time xxx
Hi crazygirl,
Thank you for posting. We understand that it is a very difficult time waiting for a treatment plan. Sometimes this planning stage has to be longer if there is an incidental, or unknown finding, such as the lump that has been found in your other breast. Your team will want to know what this lump is before giving you a diagnosis and planning your treatment as they may have to make amendments to any provisional plan which may make the whole process longer.
You don’t say when you were diagnosed and how long you have waited so far. Each NHS breast service will try to work within the set government targets of diagnosing breast cancer and have a treatment in place 31 days after the diagnosis, however that is not always possible due to situations like yours. If you are unhappy or have concerns about the wait for the mammogram/ultrasound, as @susan1 says, do speak to your breast care nurse or hospital doctor, as they are best placed to understand your individual situation and resolve any concerns you have.
If you’re unable to resolve the concern, you have a right to make a complaint or provide feedback. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can help resolve concerns related to health matters, explain, and handle complaints procedures and use feedback to help influence change.
You can find your nearest PALS office on the NHS website.
As @Beccc says, this is a really tough time for you waiting for a treatment plan. Talking to someone who has had a similar experience can often be helpful. Our Someone Like Me service can match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. You can be in touch with your volunteer by phone or email and they can share their personal experiences to help answer your questions, offer support and listen to how you are feeling.
You can ring the Someone Like Me team on 0800 138 6551 or email them at someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org, so they can then match you to your volunteer.
If you are aged between 18-45 years we also offer support tailored specifically for younger women with primary breast cancer. This includes our Younger Women Together events that are run face to face and online. This support offers the opportunity to meet and share experiences with other younger women and get expert information in a confidential space. More information can be found on the links above. You may also be interested in The Younger Breast Cancer Support Group (YBCSG) which is a private Facebook group run by young women for young women (18-45 years) who’ve had breast cancer. To join, go to Facebook and search ‘Younger Breast Cancer Support Group’ and send them a private message.
We offer a range of other 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.
Our number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties dial 18001 followed by our number 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 Saturdays.
We are closed on English bank holidays.
Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.
Best wishes,
Siân
Breast Care Nurse
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