Missed GP diagnosis

Ironically YES! Did you not have a mammogram ordered by GP (depending on your age they are automatic every 3 yrs)? In 2013 I had mammogram as I was in that age bracket. I was told I had ‘calcifications’ which I now know can be a pre curser to cancer! No one suggested a further checks and I never thought anything of it. In 2015 and 2018 had further mammograms and NOTHING DETECTED not even calcifications! Xmas 2021 I felt a lump, referred to GP who felt a ‘mass’. Stage 3 cancer! Contacted department responsible for the ‘missed’ diagnosis who said “cancer can hide”. I wish in 2013 I had gone for a private biopsy or something. The doctor I spoke to at mammogram dept asked if I wanted to take this further. I said “No but I want others to be warned and not left thinking they were OK!”. My GP looked into my records and admitted nothing was done in 2013 to further check if calcifications were an issue.p!  I have lived 9 yrs (probably) with this disease. (Had LB mastectomy, chemo & radio but still here with a technical “all clear”). I really wish you well and if there’s nothing you can do to get your frustration out, don’t dwell on it. It won’t change where you are now and won’t help your recovery x I wish you well, you have tons of support on here xxxx

Write to the practice manager. You have a Right of a Reply one way or the other xxx

My gp called me a covid hypochondriac and I was imagining it to add to this I will tell you I last saw a gp 3 yrs previously for a rountine check up they insisted on! I had to inform them of my rights as a patient to be referred on the two week cancer pathway lucky I did as I had  tnbc grade 3 stage 3 b 

The gp rang and apologised I kept him as my gp as he has to be on his correct behaviour 

you can raise concerns through the cqc 

i found lump, went to gp in london, some rando as no one sees same dr twice, she said she couldn't feel it wtf? i berated her said it was huge, 3.2 by the surgery date. eejit, thankfully she simply referred me

I felt my lump, got a GP appointment, he felt it too and was almost about to say it was nothing to be concerned about but checked and my previous mammo was 4 years before, as I had just got over ‘that age’, referred me and said afterwards he was so glad he had done so. It wasn’t in nodes but as I’d had previous surgeries (in my earlier years they surgically removed cysts) so decided on an mx. Then hormone therapy as it was 8/8 positive. But I’m over 5 years out now, hope you get the treatment you need and get into remission.

hugs xxx

Thanks by the looks of it, it is too common. I am 40 with a slow growing stage 2 cancer which i have probably had for a few years without knowing.

I have complained to the practice manager because I wanted answers and the letter I got back was total bs. I think overall the doctor was rushing to get home because it was the end of the day because her initial response and the notes she made on the system said there was no lump. I know if she had said she couldn't feel a lump I would have said I want a 2nd opinion there and then but she never said that she just said you have nothing to worry about, she doesn't think it's cancer, put cream on the nipple and come back if it gets worse or is still bothering me and continue to do regular breast checks. This is there get out clause.

I wish I could raise awareness so that people know that even when you go to the gp like all of the adverts tell you to you have to persistent. This whole experience has made me doubt all doctors now and I know they're not all the same but when I've given them the opportunity to reassure me they have only made matters worse.

Thanks again

Thank you for sharing this. I think my age was probably also a factor because I had only just turned 40. They need to offer mammograms at a younger age now I hope this is changed soon.

I am yet to find out if it has spread and what therapy i need to have but im just trying to stay positive for my two young children and praying that my mastectomy has caught it all in time. X

Bearing in mind that today, 1 in 2 of us may get cancer, GPs should be more aware and refer.  We know our own bodies!