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Waiting for a biopsy

Posted By B.c Man

"Waiting for a biopsy"

About: Queen Margaret Hospital / Breast care service

(as a relative),

My wife has attended the one day clinic in Dunfermline twice now and we have been told on both occasions that the lump in her breast may be cancer but we are still waiting on an appointment with a radiologist to have a biopsy but it has been more than two weeks since our referral.

I myself am not a doctor, nor is my wife, but being told you may have cancer on two separate occasions with no other explanation and no known date for her biopsy in my opinion is unacceptable.

My wife is unable to sleep and has missed work on more than one occasion even having to be sent home in tears. I understand that we are not the only people in need of help but I have been led to believe that cancer is a time sensitive situation and a wait and see approach is not appropriate.

I am writing this out of fear and pure frustration. I have no avenues to turn and only want the best medical care possible for my wife. I don't understand why this apparent one day clinic is taking more than three weeks and we are being told that there is up to a six week waiting list.

The doctor has submitted a request but other than that we have no news or plan for the future treatment. This lacklustre wait and see approach is causing great anguish to my wife's and myself's mental health. We were already aware that a lump could be cancerous that is why we sought medical help.

I have contacted Macmillan nurses for any advice and they have advised me that this is highly unusual. Can someone please help my wife. Please 

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Responses

Response from Lucy Cockburn, Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist / Breast Team Lead, Breast Service, NHS Fife last week
Lucy Cockburn
Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist / Breast Team Lead, Breast Service,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 07/05/2024 at 08:56
Published on Care Opinion at 08:56

I'm sorry to hear that both yourself and your wife have had a negative experience when attending the breast clinic. Please don't hesitate to call us to discuss further and hopefully alleviate these fears.

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Response from Siobhan Mcilroy, Head Patient Experience, Corporate Services, NHS Fife 4 days ago
Siobhan Mcilroy
Head Patient Experience, Corporate Services,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 15/05/2024 at 18:38
Published on Care Opinion at 18:38

picture of Siobhan Mcilroy

Dear B.c Man

My name is Siobhan McIlroy and I am the Head of Patient Experience. NHS Fife welcomes all feedback, so thank you for taking the time to post on Care Opinion. I am sorry for the delay in you receiving a response.

I am sorry that you and your wife have had such a poor experience. I can hear from your post how distraught, frustrated and upset you are. This must be a frightening time for you all.

I want to be able to help you if I can. Can you please call my personal assistant, Theresa Rodigan on her direct line, 01592-648154 or email her at theresa.rodigan1@nhs.scot. If you provide her with your name and contact details and provide your wife's details we can get the service to give you a call back. Again I am sorry that this has been your experience.

Thank you again for sharing your story, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Best wishes to you both and take care, Siobhan

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Response from Lucy Cockburn, Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist / Breast Team Lead, Breast Service, NHS Fife 3 days ago
Lucy Cockburn
Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist / Breast Team Lead, Breast Service,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 16/05/2024 at 13:21
Published on Care Opinion at 13:21

Hi B c Man,

Just wanted to check in with you following your conversation with our specialist nursing team. I wanted to check that both yourself and your wife are hopefully feeling less anxious. We totally appreciate that coming to these clinics can be an extremely stressful and anxious time. I also wanted to let you both know that if either of you felt that you still had concerns or any unanswered questions, we would encourage to you to call us. Our direct number is 01383 627091.

Take care. Lucy

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