Anyone gone private for lump investigation?

[laundrylover]

I have a swollen lymph node in my neck and also a lump in my breast. NHS have given me appointments on 10th and 11th of March but am wondering whether to go private to speed things up.

Trouble is that my cousin has Lymphoma and my friend has breast cancer right now so I am rather anxious! It's really getting me down (am already on ADs) and am struggling to work etc.

Anyone have any idea of cost of going private for initial investigation?

Thanks.
LL

If you ring your local Bupa hospital, they'll be able to give you a cost fairly quickly

I found a lump in my breast 3 years ago and got myself referred to Bupa for investigation as I was very anxious and not able to wait. I rang them up and got an appointment within a week.

I paid £300 for an ultrasound and needle biopsy.

However, the results were inconclusive. The consultant said it did not 'look' suspicious but she said I had to see the NHS consultant to discuss removal as she wanted it to be removed and tested.

(I could not carry on being treated by Bupa as did not have the money)

So I still had to wait for my NHS appointment.

All in all the Bupa investigation provided temporary relief as I clung onto the words 'it does not look suspicious' but I remained anxious until two weeks after surgery when I was given the all clear.

Thanks.

Will do that now Dibbler - you still selling dodgy sausages??

Hippi, good to hear (I think) that I'm not the only one who gets anxious as that was how one GP made me feel. Glad that you got the all clear.

If you are that anxious, go back and see your GP - you shouldn't have to wait that long (quote the 2 week wait).

tbh, you are better staying in the NHS than going private - you don't always see a breast specialist in the private sector

I don't feel that I can go back to the GP TBH. I had the neck lump since Xmas, saw GP who made we wait 2 more weeks...now have referral from this week. I thought it was meant to be a 2 week turnaround too esp as he said he would mark it as urgent.

Trouble is that the two things are being seen as two seperate issues so that means two days at the hospital too. Was hoping that going private might mean I could get it all done at once. Have emailled BUPA to enquire...

My husband paid privately when he had a lump in his testicle. Our GP didn't seem to take him seriously, but willingly refered us to Bupa. Cost us around £400 for ultrasound and x-rays and the like, but it was worth is. The consultant actually said he new it was cancer from feel alone, and as he was also the consultant DH should have been sent to on the NHS, immediately put DH back onto the NHS and waived his consultant fees!
Good luck, hope it all turns out well for you (now I've scared the pants off you lol)

Make sure you see a breast surgeon then and not a general surgeon. Get his/her name and do some research. Its your GP who is seeing this as two issues - not the hospital. Can you not see someone else in the practice?

Where I work, we see patients the week after they are referred

Laundrylover - you MUST go back to see your GP and tell him about the appopintment and how anxious you are. You should be seen within 2 weeks of the date of referral (for the breast lump). Your GP should be able to phone the hospital and get the date changed.

DO IT NOW - please don't fret about what your GP might think - it is their to look after your health (both physical and mental)

I agree with sundew - bloody GPs

I had a black discharge from one nipple and agenerally lumpy breast a few years ago. I went to a BUPA consultation within 36 hours of seeing my GP. While I was there I had an initial consultation then a ductagram, ultrasound and mammogram which was analysed and the results given back to me there and then by the consultant. Thankfully it was nothing to worry about but I would have gone mad if I had had to wait for 2 weeks to see someone. Luckily we were able to go privately as we get BUPAS through DHs work.