Two week pathway

[TreeWitch]

Can I ask how long the wait is in your area to be seen?

I saw the GP for a breast lump, heaviness and armpit pain and she advised she would refer me to breast clinic. I was told at time it is longer than recommended 2 weeks but not that long.

This week it’s now 5 weeks since I was referred. I called hospital and they have my letter but appointments are taking between 8 & 12 weeks.

trying to to stress or consult Dr Google but it’s getting more difficult

I've always been seen in the 14 days.

Honestly I was surprised that you've waited 5 weeks.

I was seen in 4 days

it’s called 2w pathway for a reason

contact doctor again

I got a call in 6 days recently, but its very hospital dependent and many are behind on their 2 week pathways. I did actually go private to a breast clinic in London (ultrasound though, they didnt do mammograms, but some might) because I couldn’t bear waiting. £350 but could go the next day and was seen by a very experienced consultant that ran the breast clinic at a big academic london hospital, gave me much peace of mind

Thank you, I will call again on Monday. I asked hospital to put me on cancellation list too - she agreed but advised that 90% of those waiting are also on cancellation list.

I was referred for suspected melanoma (confirmed), but was seen in about 5 days, with surgery 2 weeks after that.

One thing I would say is to advocate for yourself. Call/email regularly about an appointment. If your symptoms change or you develop new ones, put it in writing in an email. I was very good at creating a paper trail of things that needed to be actioned. For example, a swollen painful lymph node that developed. I wrote it all up in an email and sent it to the consultant’s secretary. It got things moving along. The lymph node was in fact cancer and my biopsy results miraculously appeared the next day instead of 4 weeks later.

I was advised it would be 6-8 weeks. I ended up being seen in 3, but I did complain to PALS. Hope you get an appointment soon x

Thanks for advice, I have it all written down - dates, pains, feelings etc. Hoping I won’t need this trail but it’s there if needed.

Trying to decide if things have changed because they have changed or because I am constantly checking to see if it’s still the same.

It’s about 3 weeks here