Breast lump referral - 6 month wait??? Is this normal?

[Flump007]

I have had a small pea sized lump since July. I took myself to the GP beginning of Spetember (I have been advised in the past to wait a cycle or 2 to see if the lump stays/goes) and she could feel it but asked me to go back for another check 2 weeks later. It was still there so she referred me to the breast clinic on 22nd Sept. GP said she would refer me urgently but it was upto the consultant how urgently I was seen.

I have had lumps before and was referred in 2013. I had a date for an appointment within 10 days and was seen within 3 weeks. Thankfully all was clear.

I am worried sick. This lump is very different to any other I have had in the past which were diagnosed as glandular tissue. This lump is small and hard.

I chased my appointment at the end of last week as I had not heard anything. It came to light that the hospital had never received my referral. After many phonecalls lat Thursday and Friday between myself the GP surgery and the hospital, my referral was re faxed through and dealt with today.

I called today as advised to do so to be told my date for my appointment. Apparently I have been put on the routine breast clinic list , which has a 6 month waiting list.

I can only assume that because I have had benign breast lumps in the past they have decided that this lump is too (with no tests) and that it is safe for me to wait 6 months.

Half of me is relieved. I am dreading going but then I think how can they be sure this lump is nothing.

Is it normal for lump referrals to wait 6 months to be seen? I just cannot help thinking its a pointless referral. I will either be riddled with cancer in 6 months time (almost 9 months from first noticing the lump) or I may as well just ignore this painless lump that is causing me no issue what so ever and not bother the NHS.

I have really worked myself up about this lump and am worried I am not being rational so asking you lot what you think and what you may be inclined to do in my situation. Wait the six months or ask to be seen sooner - but can you even do that and if so how?

Go back to GP!

You poor thing, you shouldn't have to wait that long, especially as you say it feels different this time.

I agree. Go back to GP. I had to have a lump checked out earlier this year and was seen within a week of GP referral. Hopefully it means they really don't think your lump is a cause for concern but I'd still go back to GP.

No! for breast lump referrals, you should be referred and seen by a co sultans within a couple of weeks. Go back to your gp and get a referral. This is a national scheme in England, not just a localised incentive.

Thats what I thought but wondered if things had changed recently.

I am in Wales which is notorious for its very long waiting lists.

Do you think that makes a difference?

I am going to call my GP today but I am worried I am going to be fobbed off. The whole referral so far has been one massive issue after another.

I just cannot believe I can find a lump in July and they want me to wait until March to look at it.

Am so stressed out. I am being made to feel like I am a real nusiance chasing and chasing this.

My appt with the breast clinic is today~2 weeks exactly from referral from my GP. Could you maybe see another doctor in the practice for a second opinion? Good luck it's a scary time.

andthenthereweretwo - I am sorry you are going through this too. Its a truely horrible and stressful time. Good luck today. I hope it goes well for you.

I have spoken to my GP who basically said there is nothing she can do if that is how I have triaged.

All she can suggest is that I keep an eye on the lump and let her know of any changes.

She said if I am still worried or do not have a date in another 3 weeks (5 weeks since referral/7 weeks from 1st GP visit with the lump), she will review and see if she can chase it up and see if she can prompt them to see me sooner. She said the 6 months is the worse case scenario but that here in Wales its a different system to that in England and that there are huge problems with waiting times and that there is basically nothing that can be done.

So all I can do is sit and wait it out and just hope that its not cancer. I am sat here and actually feel like crying. I am trapped in a system and there is nothing I can do to change it. .

Oh God - what do I do now? Just sit and wait and hope? Any ideas?

A couple of suggestions..

Can you go private? Find out the cost and look into it. You can't put a price on peace of mind

You see the doctor again. You stress that this is gravely affecting your mental health. You ask again for an urgent referral. You're in Wales, not Outer Mongolia. You need to be seen.

I think I'd go into ' nuisance 'mode personally , but if I could , private all the way

Thank you Sage.

My GP surgery are already well pissed off with me. I have been chasing and chasing them to refax my original referral (as it was never received by the hospital). My GP thought I was phoning about that and went off into a how many times they had faxed it etc etc. She did listen in the end, but basically said she cant do anymore.

6 months. FFS. I just cannot believe that.

I have other major life events going on at the moment and am very stressed out and I think this is the absolute last straw. I have just given into tears.

I have also started another thread about Private Health Breast Lump Investigations - to gather some knowledge. It looks like I am going to have to seriously consider doing that but am terrified of hidden/mounting costs.

I've had lumps investigated twice, both benign thank goodness. The second referral was treated with exactly the same level of seriousness as the first. I would get a second opinion.

Your doctor is wrong. My sister lives in Wales and saw a hospital specialist relatively quickly. Also, on the breast cancer website it says for Wales,mother time is 10 days! Why don't you ring the breast care department at the hospital and see what their procedure is?

Mother time ? 10 day referral.

Agree, ring the breast consultant's secretary and cry over the phone. Explain that your GP hasn't understood the situation, this lump feels different to the last one and you fear it may be bc. Be a complete pest, it truly doesn't matter. Also ask your practice manager about this and query how this meets the NICE guidelines. Just keep explaining how scared and worried you are.

Re private care, basically my understanding is that these packages are really 'Well Woman' things. Unfortunately in cancer diagnosis there can be many investigations which ( although hopefully and probably you don't need them) can be very expensive. I suppose if there was an element of doubt they might refer you back to your GP for a fast track appointment on the nhs...

So get on the phone and make a nuisance of yourself. Good luck with it all, it sounds very unfair to make you go through all this when it should be stress free as far as possible.x

Your GP is messing you about. I had exactly the same, kept being fobbed off because she was "certain" it wasn't cancer. It was cancer. Sorry OP, not wanting to scare you, but you really do need to kick up a fuss and get seen.

Your GP is not a specialist. Demand a two week referral. If you need to, go back and tell her you're sure it has grown.

I've had a number of 2 week referrals for different lumps. Round and hard is pretty normal for me and all mine have been fine - all milk cysts or fibroadenoma.

Best of luck. I hear te tamoxigang threads here are very supportive of those waiting or undergoing treatment.

Thank you Flump. I was thoroughly assessed today, mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. It was an excellent service. Results in 7 days but looking fine. I'm very lucky to have had such quick and thorough care and my mind has been put at rest. Its sad that you aren't getting the same experience, so unfair you have to deal with it all during a very worrying time. As the others have said don't let it go, check the hospital targets and nice guidelines for your country.

From what I understand my GP referred me as urgent.

The original referral of 22/9 was lost.

I chased and they eventually received it last Thursday.

The consultant who I will (hopefully) be seeing has read the referral and decided I am non urgent and that my referral should be treated as routine.

My GP says at this stage she cannot do anything if that is what he has decided as any follow up letter sent this soon after referral won't hold any clout.

GP says all I can do is wait and that 6months is only the worse case scenario.

GP says to monitor lump and report to her any changes.

GP says she "may" be able to chase up my referral again in a few weeks time, if I don't have a date but that ultimately its not upto her, but the consultant when I get seen.

How can I argue with the consultant?

The NICE guidelines I have read are for GP referrals. It says women over 40 (thats me) with lump should be referred as urgent. My GP did that. Its the consultant who has decided I am not an urgent case.

I am guessing (as I have seen him before) my history of benign breast lumps in the same breast may have added to this decision. My GP says she did say in the referral this lump is different in size etc but that has obviously been overlooked.

Can I phone the breast clinic or the consultants secretary REALLY? What the hell do I say?

I am in such a low place just now. I have so much other stuff going on, I feel like I am a pain and an inconvenience to everyone. I am struggling to find the confidence to fight my own corner on this. The lump alone was the last thing I needed right now but having to fight this as well is quite overwhelming for me.

andthereweretwo - I am glad it looks like it has gone well for you. Good luck for your results.

Oh and thank you everyone that has replied above. I appreciate the support.

Bingoheads - I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis. How did you manage to get yourself seen in the end?

flump, darling you really can call the secretary. She will be taking such calls all day. You say you are really worried and explain everything you have said. She will probably say she will speak to the consultant and get back to you. You ask when specifically when that will be and clarify how contact will be made. Don't be afraid to call back again. Honestly. Call.

Sending you a hug. I'd make the bloody call for you if I could but since I can't you do it first thing.xx

Flump, that's so absolutely not on. You need to be seen. Even on a quick google I found this which says in Wales you should be seen within 10 days:
www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/breast-awareness/referral-breast-clinic

Insist. Honestly you really have to. Print off that link, go to the GP, tell them you can't sleep/ threaten to complain about the hospital, etc, etc. A lump cannot be diagnosed from a form. If it's worst case and it is cancer 6 months is a long time not to treat it. Chances are it's not cancer, but you need to find out. Good luck, but go and shout at them!

Right - I downed a Berrocca (Gin may have been better but at 10am thought best not) and gritted my teeth and officially became a pain in the arse!!

I called the secretary who was unable to tell me anything. All she would say is that I was booked in - as in my referral. I gave a sob story and genuinely did have tears in my eyes but she wasnt giving anything away or able to help me at all except refer me to the booking in office.

I was put through to a very kind and helpful lady who ran around the hospital trying to get my referral details. She came back with the same as before. I am definately on a routine referral and there is nothing I or she can do. The only person who may be able to change this is my GP, who has to write in explaining why she thinks this referral is wrong. The lady however, was extremely kind and also seemed shocked that I had been put on the routine list. She was quite frank and told me straight (which I appreciate) that the list is very definately 6 months long. She did however promise to keep my details with her and check every Thursday morning (the one day a week there is a breast clinic) to see if there was a last minute cancellation and call me if there is. Thats the best she can do.

I then called my GP surgery (yet again - God I was cringeing, they really must roll their eyes and be so sick of me). I asked to speak to my GP but she isnt there today so I have left a message asking if I can be referred to another hospital/specialist with a shorter waiting list - and who hopefully may deem my lump as worthy of an urgent appointment.

All I can do now is wait for her call back tomorrow.

I am thinking I am probably going to have to fork out to go private. I started another thread asking about experiences, tips, advice. If anyone can help me at all with regards to that side of things too I would be very grateful.

Thank you all for your support. It gave me the nerve today to be a nuisance where as I may have just floundered and not done that.

I was a nuisance too Flump. I could almost hear the gp's eyes rolling when I called yet again. But sod it, it's your health here at stake, don't be embarrassed to push for what you need.

I ended up paying for a private appointment and it was worth every penny as the gp wasn't budging regarding my non-urgent referral.

Thankyou Kissmyheathenass. Was is a breast issue you that you went private for?

Smee Thanks for that link. I suspect they will say they dont suspect I have cancer and get out of it that way.

I am just so angry. The only reason I can see why my referral is not urgent is because I have had benign breast lumps in the same breast before. I strongly suspect that if this was my first referral being over 40 with a pea sized hard lump whould have got me an urgent appointment. I am being discriminated against because I have had benign breast lumps in the past.

It is literally just a gamble someone has taken - and that gamble is on me, my health and my life.

I am off out shortly as I do voluntary work on Wednesdays (thank god it will help my sanity) but I will have a proper full read of the link you sent Smee, and I may even call their helpline and see if they can offer me any advice.

Also, do you think I can complain to the hospital about this, at this stage? Do I just phone up and ask their complaints procedure? Am worried this will jeapordise any future relationship between me and the hospital/consultant though. What do you think?

flump, I think I'd wait and see how on the ball the GP is first, as you don't want to alienate them. Hope you can sort it asap. Seems ridiculous they're making you jump through such hoops. Genuinely shocking.

Did you quote the NICE guidelines? When I got my cancer diagnosis, the head of the breast clinic told me that they'd rather see any number of benign lumps than miss a malignant one. Push for it. I was dismissed three times by GPs as I was only 36 and breastfeeding. In the end it was my midwife who referred me.