Shortage of radiographers at my breast clinic appt this week

[kiaoracymru]

Posting here for traffic.

Got an appt at breast clinic on Friday and they have said I will be seen first my a member of the clinical team to see if I need a mammogram as there is a shortage of radiographers.

Aibu to think it’s standard practise or not?

Is it a Routine appt where you’d normally get a mammogram or have you found a lump?

Depending on your age, I'm not sure it is standard practice. Will you be offered an ultrasound?

Have found a lump

Because maybe if it’s the latter an experienced doctor can feel the lump and be happy that it’s a cyst, etc and you not need a mammogram? But if they’re not sure you get one?

But I can see why you’d be worried. I’d trust a mammogram more.

And yes when I found a lump I was under 30 so needed an ultrasound not a mammogram. If a bit older than that it will depend how dense your breasts are as to whether you need a mammogram or an ultrasound.

But it’s when they say your care is decided by lack of staff rather than clinical need that is worrying.

This happened to me. I was told I would still need an ultrasound but they couldn’t do it on the day due to staff shortages. Shamefully I burst into tears and in the end I was allowed one the same day but only because I was prepared to wait 5 hours for it. They won’t send you away without a mammogram/plan for mammogram if they have any doubts don’t worry.

To be honest, I saw the doc just after ovulating & mentioned lumpy boobs, she checked, found a lump & referred me. That lump now feels flatter as on day 22 of cycle so it could well be a cyst. But I would like a definitive answer!

I'm not an expert, so take my info with a pinch of salt. But I think, because of the density of younger women's breast tissue, that mammograms can be an unreliable tool so this might be why.

I’m 47 by the way

Oh, sorry. Just ignore everything I said. I had to go to the breast clinic a few weeks ago and there was no issue about me not getting a mammogram and I'm 40.

Well, that's just flat out shit.

It is shit but what do hospitals do if they don’t have the staff?

Where I live if you need a neurology referral it’s over a year wait to see someone.

Dd is leaking fresh red blood out her bum most weeks. She saw a gastro person after a 6 week wait, then 5 month wait for a colonoscopy. That was last June, we’re still waiting for the follow up appt to discuss results. I’ve rung the consultant secretary who said don’t hold your breath that the appt will be this year. Dd is still pouring blood out her bum and has been for nearly a year now. No idea why.

Waiting times are similar elsewhere. The nhs are struggling to recruit and retain staff and this is the result.

There's a national shortage of radiographers, so I suppose they have to prioritise.

The exact tests done do seem to vary depending on the hospital and your symptoms. I had everything for a 9mm lump age 39 that was not thought to be cancerous.

Mammogram only assist diagnosis, they are not definitive. Both a mammogram and ultrasound were inconclusive - in fact no lump was visible on them despite there being an easily felt3 com diameter lump. Two fine needle aspirated were inconclusive as was a forceps biopsy. Only an excisional biopsy under GA gave a diagnosis.
Breast surgeons are very experienced and mammogram is just one of their weapons available.