"Breast cancer follow up - the process should be made clearer"

I was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago, and could not fault the care and treatment I received from the doctors, nurses and other health professionals at Gartnavel General Hospital. Every member of staff I met dealt with me in a caring, professional manner and helped me manage my extreme anxiety following my diagnosis.

My concerns relate to my follow-up treatment. After completing my treatment I was given an appointment to return for a review in one year. I was advised that at this point I would have a further mammogram and see my consultant or another health professional. I felt anxious attending this appointment and was very concerned to find that no mammogram had been scheduled for this day. I was examined by one of the breast nurses who then advised me she would arrange an appointment for a mammogram which would be in about 2 or 3 weeks and I would be advised of the date of this appointment by post. She advised that the result of the mammogram will take 4-6 weeks.

I feel that the patient-centred treatment I received at my first diagnosis has now disappeared. Having this appointment followed by a mammogram weeks later is both stressful for me and I would think requires more resources from the NHS. As my original cancer could not be picked up by a physical examination but was diagnosed by screening, surely I was always going to require a mammogram. I now feel more anxious than before this appointment and know I will have to wait about 8 weeks before I have the mammogram results.

I know that there are a lot of pressures on the NHS, but I feel that the clinic could manage patient expectations better. I had believed that the review appointment would be a one stop shop, and I would leave the appointment having had a mammogram and results. This may be not be possible but nevertheless the process should be made clearer to patients. Overall, I am extremely grateful for the care and treatment I received and hope these comments can be used to help make the process more patient-centred in the future.