Normal waiting time for mammogram appt after finding lump

goldbyron · 2 September 2011 at 8:09PM

Hi

My partner found a lump in her breast last week so we immediately visited our GP. An appointment was made for her this Wednesday where she saw a consultant. The consultant did not seem unduly concerned however stated that she would refer for a mammogram test. We just received an appointment letter today giving her an appt for the 27th of September! This seems an awful long time to wait for a mammogram appt when you have found a lump. Is this normal?

Incidentally I paid for my partner to also have a private ultrasound today as I was so worried and the consultant did not feel this was necessary. However as she is 41 I felt that she was borderline for effective mammogram results, as did our GP. The consultant today did say she has very dense tissue and lumpy breasts naturally so I am relieved we did this. Fortunately the ultrasound showed nothing of concern but we were advised to still attend the mammogram. I am very glad we have the US as I didn't realise the wait would be this long.

nextyeartina · 2 September 2011 at 8:15PM

i'm so glad everything's ok with your wife. please keep the appointment for the mamogram. a second opinion will more than ease the mind. i went to my gp on the friday regarding a problem i had with my breasts. i got a phone call on the monday from the breast clinic with an appointment for the following day. i don't know if this is the norm in manchester or i was lucky.

t, x

jenhug · 2 September 2011 at 8:16PM

when i found a lump i was referred by gp, and seen at hosp within 2 weeks. I had physical examination and an ultrasound and results on same day. Different hospitals must have different policies. Hope your results are clear, as were mine.

pigpen · 2 September 2011 at 8:25PM

Here it is about 3 weeks from seeing the GP to having the mammogram. 27th is really only 4 weeks away so not that bad really.. though it seems 10 times longer when you are worrying!

mountainofdebt · 2 September 2011 at 8:32PM

When my mum found a lump she saw a consultant within a week.

At the appt, he examined her and then sent her for a mammogram there and then. We both realised that he suspected something as the mammogram request was given to the nurse acting as a chaperone and she walked with us to the x ray department. Once we got there we we offered a cup of tea and after a short delay as told there was a problem with the equipment and could we phone back in the day to see if it had been fixed so that the mammogram could be done. Alarm bells were now ringing.

Anyway cut a long story short the mammogram took place a week later as did the ultrasound.

What I'm trying to say is that if the consultant had suspected anything nasty the mammogram would have been performed a long time before it has.

Torry_Quine · 2 September 2011 at 8:43PM

When I found a lump my GP asked me to return in 2 weeks as it may have gone as it hadn't I was referred to the hospital. I got an appointment within a fortight and had my mammogram and ultra sound on the same day and also got the results which were fine. If I'd needed a biopsy that would also have been done at the appointment with results a few hours later.

goldbyron · 2 September 2011 at 8:53PM

Thank you for your replies. Although the ultra sound was okay, the mammogram would completely resolve any worries. The mammogram is five weeks from seeing GP in total and I was of the belief that it would be next week after seeing the consultant with a follow up in 4 weeks although my partner remembers differently. I am just worried that the appointment team have got it wrong. It does seem a very long time even if the consultant wasn't worried. I am tempted, despite not being flush, to pay privately which I really don't want to have to do. The hospital is whipps cross in north east london and does not have a good reputation. I wish on reflection I had asked for a referral to another hospital in London or Essex. It seems unlikely that there is a problem however 5 weeks delay if there was could be crucial. Not feeling very confident in the hospital and worried they have made an error.

moomoomama27 · 2 September 2011 at 8:54PM

My Mum went to her GP with a breast lump over the space of an 18 month period, each time she was told it was scar tissue from a benign lump she'd had removed 5 yrs prior, and no follow up was necassarym even though she felt it was something that shouldn't be ignored. She had a mammogram only because she was sent one routinely which showed up the breast lump! Fast forward another 18 months and she now has terminal cancer.

So please, if you are worried, keep pushing it, don't let them fob you off! Although I exoect the US was very reassuring.

We have been told by many consultants, that there should be no more than a 2-3 week wait for a referal.

Philippa36 · 2 September 2011 at 9:09PM

Within our area, breast clinic referrals are seen within 2 weeks.

4 weeks seems quite a long time considering but I'm glad all is well OP.

MatyMoo · 2 September 2011 at 10:16PM

I'm in Hertfordshire and we have a fantastic service at the Breast Clinic in St Albans Hospital. It is a one stop shop & you see a Consultant for an initial appointment, then if they feel it necessary you have an ultrasound followed by a mammogram and then spend a short time in the waiting room before going back to the Consultant for the results. You can be there for half a day but it is well worth it.

I have had to use the service twice and have never had to wait more than a week for the appointment.

Fingers crossed that the initial results from the ultrasound are confirmed by the mammogram, but I do understand the worry and stress caused by having to wait.

Torry_Quine · 2 September 2011 at 10:19PM

I'm interested that she went for an U/S first as it is more usual to have the mammogram first and then have a scan if further clarification needed

Normal waiting time for mammogram appt after finding lump

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