Extended wait and risks

Hi rosebud

Thank you for getting in touch and welcome to the Online Community. My name is Barbara, and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurses here on the Macmillan Support Line.

Thank you for providing the details about your diagnosis and current situation. I am sorry to hear about your breast cancer diagnosis, although it is reassuring to hear it is a stage 1 cancer. I can appreciate your anger and frustration with the timings of the waiting period.

I am pleased to hear that your nursing team have recognised the long wait for the biopsy of the third lesion in your breast. Questions to consider asking would be:

• Who have they escalated this to and are they able to review the date?
• Can the biopsy date be brought forward?

As you rightly say, time will need to account for the waiting of the biopsy results, the multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) and an appointment to discuss the findings with you to plan the correct treatment and start date.  As frustrating as this can be, waiting for all the results to be gathered is crucial, to allow a full MDT discussion of all the information and subsequent treatment planning.

When you receive the expected phone call from your surgeon next week, a suggestion would be for you to point out the timeline of dates, the length of the waiting period, diagnosis date and that you are waiting for the treatment to start, in addition to asking the above questions with the hope of bringing the biopsy date forward. It is always a good idea to consider and write down your questions and frustrations in readiness for an appointment.

The cancer waiting times, highlighted here from Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK indicate the key standards of treatment should start within 62 days of the urgent GP referral, and within 31 days of the decision to treat. The NHS is reporting variations across the UK to meet this standard due to capacity and staffing issues. This is an issue to discuss with your hospital team, it may also be appropriate to refer to your local PALS team who can investigate your concerns with the timing of the appointments.

Further questions you may want to consider asking your surgeon, during the phone call:

• Is it appropriate to consider starting any type of hormone therapy whilst waiting for all the tests and results to be completed?

• Ask their opinion about having the treatment carried out privately. We recommend using the PHIN site to check out the local available private services.

Generally, it is considered that early breast cancer, stage 1, has a low risk of spreading, however, it is completely normal for you to raise this question and feel concerned. It may also help to discuss this with your surgeon as they have access to all your results. I sincerely hope you get all your questions answered and can proceed with your treatment soon.

I hope that you’ve found this information helpful.  Please do feel free to get back in touch with us if there is anything further we can help you with or if you have any other concerns.  You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts.  Phone free on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm) or send us an email.

Best wishes

Barbara L

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

Ref: BL/LZD

Hello Barbara

Thank you for your comprehensive response. I've added your suggested questions to my list. I've also looked up info about my local PALS team, following your suggestion, and left enquiries with three private hospitals. Hopefully I'll find a way through and get things expedited.