I thought I would telephone the helpline to get some info on cost of private tests. I cannot afford private treatment, but it would be good for my work if I could get early results to get some idea of if there is any likelyhood of my schedule being disrupted.
I am now really worried. I like people to tell it how it is, but i did not expect to be told that I cannot plan to take on new work because after each test there will probably be another test needed, escalating from needle biopsies, to core biobsies no investgative operations etc. I know all this might be waiting for me sometime in the next few months, but I havnt even seen the doctor yet–it still could be an innocent little lump.
All i wanted was the price of scans,and the first biopsy. So that if they were negative I could get on with my life quickly. If the were possative I would have to think again.
I felt bit like a little girl who asked where babies came from and came away knowing about veneral desease and death through childbirth.
well that last bit made me laugh… but i have no idea about the cost of tests having gone nhs all the way. In my experiance after going to the dr i was seen in hospital in 10 days, where i had the mammo, scan and biopsy all on the same afternoon, was even told that i had cancer there and then. So i would give the dr a call and get the ball rolling!
As you said it may be nothing… good luck!
Hi OAL, I was like you at the beginning, I wanted to know everything immediately so I could organise my work life and home life as much as possible. However, the best advice I was given was to not look too far ahead because we are all different, we all need different tests and treatment and we all react differently to the news we receive so there really is no way of knowing how our lives may be affected. Hopefully, this will all be over fairly quickly for you and you will get good news but if not, try to concentrate on what is happening now rather than what might happen in the future.
I hope this helps, but if not I am sure you will be given lots of other advice anyway.
Good luck.
I have to say that from seeing the doc to being told what I needed and getting the tests done was one week flat on the NHS. The government makes breast cancer a priority-check these days as far as I know so I’d be surprised if it took a long time to get answers.
Ann x
Hi oldandlumpy.
I started off having private treatment and swapped to NHS (the private healthcare company we are with were very difficult to deal with and refused to pay for certain treament, but that’s another boring long story). Before I swapped to NHS I had mammogram and ultrasound (£300), MRI (£800), stereotactic biopsy (£1,500). I then went on and had a WLE operation and SNB done (over £2K). However, I should think that these costs probably vary from NHS trust to another ??
I then then went on to have a MX, immediate recon, chemo and now radiotherapy on NHS. The only thing I can say which was in favour of private healthcare was the carpeted floor in the hospital and tea and biscuits on a tray with doily after my surgery. The care was no different and my surgeon would have been the same NHS/private. I do not think I got seen any quicker being private either but I was able to choose an appointment time to suit me.
Perhaps try ringing the private hospital and ask them for a consultation fee, mammogram and ultrasound. I, like you, like to plan ahead, but I’m afraid one test does seem to lead to another one.
HOWEVER … I’m hoping you don’t need anything further than a mammo.
Good luck!!
Rachel.x
hi, i too saw gp fri, at breast clinic tues(and had mammo, ultra and core biopsy that day) results following monday, treatment plan was there waiting for me on results day.the longest wait i had was from getting my results and plan on the mon til surgery 3 wks later but they did give me the date of surgery.the wait 4 it was the hard bit. wanted it done with! good luck whichever way u choose xxx
depending on which hospital you are referred to, you may get all the diagnostic tests you need with results in one day. I had a mammogram, core biopsy and results from biopsy over a few hours. Had to wait a week for further scans. All treatment on the NHS has bee excellent.
nicky