Delays? Worried how long family member is having to wait for their breast clinic referral

Hi Chucks123

Welcome to the forum, I'm Daisy53 one of the Community Champions on this forum.  They try to see the patient about 2 weeks after the referral but sometimes particularly if it's a busy clinic it can take a little longer for the appointment to come through.  Most lumps turn out to be benign but if is breast cancer, as a general rule it doesn't grow quickly so having to wait for a time longer than the two weeks shouldn't make any difference to the outcome for your relative.  If she doesn't hear by next week she could give the breast clinic a ring and see if she can put herself down for the first available cancellation. 

Wishing your relative the best of luck with her appointment when it comes through.

Best wishes

Daisy53

I was referred by my GP under the 2 week process, and had an appt at the breast clinic in a week. Im in Carlisle, Cumbria.   I think its worth a chase up to the GP as sometimes people can slip through the net...

I have only ever waited a week for a referral for examination but I have family history.

I would definitely ring the clinic independently as suggested above and ask what is going on.

Hope all goes well

I've been to my breast clinic three times now and have usually known the appointment date within a couple of days by checking the NHS App. The longest time I've had between the referral and appointment date has been 3 weeks, which was incidentally the appointment that found my cancer. The size of the lump on the initial ultrasound and the size on the mammogram I had 2.5 weeks later were the same and mine is grade 3, which means it's inclined to grow more quickly.

Does your family member have a login for the NHS App Online? Here you can actually see your GP record including a copy of referrals, appointments, correspondence etc. I've actually seen my hospital appointments here first before receiving a letter in the post much later. Here's the link if it's useful https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/login

All the best and I hope your loved one gets the care she needs very soon x