Unacceptable wait time?

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dancing_lass
dancing_lass Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer

Hi eveyone 

I'm a 37 yo in Vancouver.  Dr found a lump during my breast exam last week--both mother and maternal grandmother were dx'd with breast cancer at 48 (both died at 58). 

The dr referred me for an ultrasound to check it out--stating because of my youth, that this is the best route.  SO my first is about best practices--is an 'ultrasound only' approach the way to go?  For some reason I would have thought mammo + US?  Does anyone know what the false negative rate is for US?  Should I insist on a needle biopsy?

My second issue...(my chief concern right now, really):

When I spoke with office staff on friday to see if I had an US app't yet, she said "no, haven't put it through yet'.  And kind of shrugged it off, saying that they likely aren't booking app'ts until November anyway.

It would seem to me that this is an unacceptable wait time, considering my family history.  But maybe just 'the way it is' here in canada.  Any advice?  I'll be calling back tomorrow to insist that the referral be put through, but still if a november app't is the earliest available--is that standard?

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited August 2010

    You need to have both mammo and US and to see a breast surgeon. Both tests can have false negatives...so a biopsy may be required to be absolutely sure.A needle biopsy has more false negatives than a core biopsy...Excisional biopsy is most accurate of all.

    Usual wait for tests is 2 weeks..on the Eastern coast. Surgeons like to have the imaging done first..so appt with surgeon could be just after that.

    So...don't accept longer than 2-3 weeks...agitate if you have to.

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  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 1,541
    edited August 2010

    Usually it is mammo and ultrasound, then if still inconclusive, a core needle biopsy to determine if it's cancer and what kind. With your young age, the doc may be going directly to an ultrasound because mammos are known to be unreliable in younger women whose breasts tend to be denser.  However, I would not accept a November appointment!  In Toronto, I waited 2 days for a mammo, a week for an U/S and 2 days after that for the biopsy - I think I was fast-tracked, but even so, with your family history you might expect the same.  Here's hoping it's benign -- 80% of lumps are in younger women -- but you should not have to go through the anxiety of waiting so long to find out one way or the other!

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited August 2010

    Dancing - Waiting until Nov. for an ultrasound is unacceptable.  I suggest you call back and remind the office staff about your family history.  Sometimes this info unfortunately gets overlooked (e.g. doc forgets to write in in the chart and forgets to tell his/her staff).  It's likely that your mother's and grandmother's BC were dx'd before they reached menopause, so that's another excellent reason to get a US quickly.

    Having said that, your lump is very likely benign, but any lump needs to be carefully looked at to make sure.  Don't let the office staff give you the brush-off.  This is your lump, your breast, your life, and YOU, my dear, come first!!!  Put your foot down -- the squeaky wheel gets the US fasterKiss.

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  • dancing_lass
    dancing_lass Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2010

    Thanks so much for your reponses!

    Spent this morning on the phone with various cancer agencies (who unequivocally said I should be seen asap) + diagnostic units (reported long wait times).  The good news--I was able to get an opening this wednesday for an US (I suspect they're a private clinic that's just recently decided to take on some MSP clients ?).  Everywhere else was november, december, even january!

    I did go back to my dr to discuss further--and have come away a little reassured about the lump.  She's given me a little more technical info as to why she's 'not worried' --it's motile, non-adherent, no spread to lymph nodes. But then again, can you ever be reassured by a dr's simple palpation (I trust their experience, but still worthy of a reasonably quick test to confirm)?

    I'm so thankful to you all, and to those lovely ladies on the phone today who were so helpful!

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited August 2010

    Dancing -- The info you just told us about why your dr. is not too concerned is indeed reassuring.  It sounds very much like the lump I had at the age of 20.  Saw 3 docs all on one day (imagine that!!!) and the breast surgeon was able to move the lump and express some liquid through the nipple.  All good! 

    I think you'll be fine!

    Hugs from Linda

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