Urgent referral for suspected breast cancer

Hello Claire,

Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Helen, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

Welcome to the online community.

You have explained you have noticed changes to your nipple and despite treatment, these changes have not resolved. You have understood your GP has referred you for an urgent review at your local breast care department, but your appointment being in a month’s time has naturally alarmed and worried you.

The different UK nations have their own targets around a referral for a suspected cancer, waiting times to a diagnosis and waiting times to start treatment.

You don’t mention where in the UK you live but the following information relates to changes made to the cancer pathways in England.

In England, an urgent referral used to mean that you should see a specialist within 2 weeks. From that appointment investigations such as scans and biopsies would follow.

From October 2023 this 2 week time frame was replaced by the Faster Diagnosis Standard as part of a wider NHS England plan.

This time frame expects that a patient and their GP is reassured the symptoms are not due to cancer, or a cancer diagnosis is made. The time frame for an initial appointment, for diagnosis scans and biopsies etc is 28 days. 

While it’s important to mention that the majority of people who have had an urgent  referral made will not have a cancer diagnosis, it’s also important that you are seen in a timely manner.

We would encourage you to get back in touch with your GP to let them know your appointment date.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales do not have a Faster Diagnosis Standard target. If you live in one of these nations, we still encourage you to speak with your GP, especially if you have worsening symptoms.

It’s such an anxious time waiting for appointments and tests, Claire. You may feel like you have no control over what is going to happen to you and the waiting period might feel very long, and the future may feel uncertain.

There is no right or wrong way to deal with these feelings. Some people find it helps to carry on with your usual activities as much as possible. Continuing with everyday activities, such as going to work, can be a welcome distraction from worrying. Other people may feel they cannot concentrate on anything else.

Some people look for more information about cancer during this time. Searching for information can help you feel more in control while you wait for your appointment or for results. But this is not always helpful.

Some cancer information can be confusing or upsetting. And you may find information that does not apply to you. Before looking for more information, it may be better to wait for the appointment and test results and talk to your healthcare team. If you do decide to find out more, do try to make sure the information is from a reliable source.

Better still, you might consider giving us a call here at Macmillan to talk through your worries.  The Macmillan Support Line offers practical and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

I do hope this information is useful and you get your appointment as soon as possible.

Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

Best wishes, Helen

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

Ref HM/ BG