Breast cancer - recommended consultant breast surgeons in Yorkshire + area

Hi BJMScott 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion on NHS versus private healthcare and I have used both. I had private healthcare through my husband's work and used it for pain investigations and pain injections. It was fine, the care was good and I didn't have to go on a waiting list for treatment. However, the admin side of it was poor, I could not get phone calls answered, letters got lost etc.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, I spoke to 2 gynae surgeons re their opinion re going private. They both said stay with the NHS and that the treatment is the same as it's the same surgeons and it's just that the hospitality is better privately. Cancer care in the NHS is very good, please read my profile by clicking on my username to see the treatment I have had. Both surgeons advised that if the cancer escalated and I had to be referred back to NHS, the communication between the NHS and private is not very good and vital information could be lost. Also, if the private healthcare is through an occupational plan, what would happen if that person could no longer work. This has happened to someone I know who had private care for breast cancer, her husband retired (who the plan was under) now they are having to pay thousands for follow up CT scans.

It is totally up to you and your sister but in my experience and the advice I was given is stay with the NHS for cancer care. Best regards for treatment.

A x

Hi, I was treated in Yorkshire, under the NHS and received excellent and swift care. I too have heard stories of admin issues between private and NHS care. It is normal to have a baseline MRI pre treatment - the MRI uses a different view to measure tumour size and location, and can also pick up things that are more difficult to see, or are unseen on a mammogram. 

I am currently receiving treatment for breast cancer in Leeds at Saint James hospital - NHS.

All has run like clockwork - and I am someone with high expectations.

Private care will be the same staff - just a nicer hospital perhaps. However you don’t indicate what surgery your sister is having. No mention of chemo so perhaps very early and surgery is lumpectomy? I’m pretty sure this is done on a day case basis anyway.

My thoughts on this specific one are stay with the NHS. I did pay for a shoulder op last year as didn't want the 2 year wait as already had been in pain for so long. It was a game changer for me and I’m glad I did it - but it seems in terms of breast cancer the NHS have got it!

Hello BJMScott ,

How lovely of you to be looking out for your sister.  This journey is a rollercoaster of a ride 'at the start' - however once buckled into the seat you get taken along the track.  I 'started off' with the NHS and I won't fault them (that is to a point - I am disappointed for many ladies that qualify for a simpler treatment and due to red tape they don't get offer it.... you will understand more in a while).

I started off with the NHS and then due to a million and one reasons - main reason, I lost my dear dad at the hospital and for other reasons we don't really like it..... with this in mind whilst waiting for treatment I started to look into my treatment - mine was to be lumpectomy to my left boob followed by 4 weeks (approx) of (external) radiotherapy and than tablets to reduce oestrogen.

Not wanting to overload you - I got myself down a very long rabbit hole..... from googling I found that you have to be careful when radiotherapy is given to the left side - in order to protect the heart (when having this there is a technic called 'breath hold' or 'deep breath hold' this increases the space between boob and heart)....

This then lead me on to a treatment called #TargitIORT   TARGIT IORT is a combined operation consisting of the lumpectomy followed by internal radiotherapy - this is given during the same operation ..... and that is it - finished (given that there have been clear margins - however this applies to all the operations).

Well the was it - it sounded to good to be true, however.... at this time it hadn't been approved by NICE - it was in the final stages (there is a lot of red tape with regards to the radiotherapy and the radiotherapist's - due to the time saved and not needing weeks of radiotherapy there was fear of loosing jobs, etc - which seems silly as it would just speed up other people being able to have their treatments.

Anyway.... My mum was approaching her 90's, after loosing my dad, mum's husband and best friend of over 65 years I felt I could not tell her about my diagnosis (I only told siblings)- I am her world and in mum's eye this would be it...... so this treatment gave me a chance not to have to cause mum all this upset.  It would save me hours of traveling each day and due to radiotherapy being given internally 'if' ever needed can still have further radiotherapy.... (sorry I'm waffling - I am just so passionate about this treatment).

It was a massive deal for me as I would have to travel to London and stay overnight - I'm not a traveller so the thought of this daunted me.  

I had 'rainy day' money and this was my rainy day - so I did it - it was indulgent on my part but, I felt if it gets me though not having to tell mum, saves 4 weeks of travelling to daily radiotherapy - then I am doing it.... within two weeks and I'd had the operation and the radiotherapy. (don't get me wrong stepping out of the box was really scary).

Since me having my treatment this treatment has been approved by NICE and is available on the NHS at a limited number of hospitals (if suitable patient should be able to request treatment) sadly, not many patents that qualify are offered this treatment - when in all reality given the delays and set backs this treatment if suitable should be offered straight away - not kept secret.

I will attach a link to the main Targit Iort website, at the very least you could phone them and ask about the NHS availability in your area.

I'd like to say too what an amazing sister you are looking out for your sister and the various options - as for now your sisters mind will not really take anything in.

"TARGIT IORT stands for TARGeted Intraoperative radioTherapy. It is given during a lumpectomy for breast cancer, under the same anaesthetic, and it can replace traditional radiotherapy in suitable patients."

https://www.targit.org.uk/intrabeam-targit-iort-information

At least you now about this treatment and can ask the question ~ if suitable can you have this NHS.

Owww and with regards to waiting/treatment times the NHS is normally very quick with BC treatment.

I’m in Wales but advised by private surgeon and NHS surgeon to stay with NHS as best place for cancer treatment. Private ok for anything routine like hips, knees or hysterectomy. My surgery was done on NHS within 4 weeks of diagnosis and chemo started 20 days after first meeting, would have been earlier if not for Christmas. No cancelled appointments all very slick. And if using private medical insurance some policies will only cover you if the wait on nhs is greater than 6 weeks from diagnosis to procedure. 

Fab info (I will be asking about that) and love the quote !

There are criteria's - think one is it has to be 'one' tumour. ....

This treatment is available on the NHS albeit at only a handful of hospitals - I think I have only heard of one person on this site getting this treatment on the NHS - patients should be told about this - to at least be given the opportunity ....

Okay many might not be eligible but if this helps just one patient then I will feel I have helped xxxx

Thankyou so much for your reply, we are still with NHS. It’s been quite a few weeks though since she was first informed of breast lump (13th March) and since the original MRI scan then needed a CT scan and they have seen legions on lung & something suspicious on her Liver. Awaiting a further MRI scan again on chest & liver now before the consultant can give us a treatment plan. It has been quite challenging for her.

we still don’t know other than the Breast tumour what else if anything is a problem.

she has a oestrogen positive lump in her left breast that they have indicated she needs a lumpectomy and likely radiotherapy.

Thank-you so much for your reply, we are still with NHS as suggested by many for various reasons. It’s been quite a few weeks though since she was first informed of breast lump (13th March) and since the original MRI scan then needed a CT scan and they have seen legions on lung & something suspicious on her Liver. Awaiting a further MRI scan again on chest & liver now before the consultant can give us a treatment plan. It has been quite challenging for her.

Unfortunately we still don’t know other than the Breast tumour what else if anything is a problem.

she has a oestrogen positive lump in her left breast that they have indicated she needs a lumpectomy and likely radiotherapy.

Thank you for  the information on TARGIT IORT too really helpful. 

just hoping the MRI scan is soon they have said within 2 weeks. 

Hi BJMScott 

I'm sorry to hear that it may have spread. Hope you get some answers and a plan very soon.

A x