Read on Twitter
1. A girl tweeted that she found a breast lump 5 months ago and has been waiting for a referral for investigation since then. I told her to do whatever she needs, go to the GP & refuse to leave until it is chased if she has to.
2. A GP responded saying this was unhelpful and she should go through a complaints procedure to find out what the delay is.
And I would genuinely like to say, absolutely fuck that.
If you have a lump you are worried about and your referral is delayed, assuming you’ve taken...
And I would genuinely like to say, absolutely fuck that.
If you have a lump you are worried about and your referral is delayed, assuming you’ve taken...
3. Reasonable steps to follow up & you are still waiting. Please make a lot of noise so you cannot be ignored.
The NHS is wonderful but it can be difficult to navigate as a patient. You absolutely have to advocate for yourself.
The NHS is wonderful but it can be difficult to navigate as a patient. You absolutely have to advocate for yourself.
4. Things are understandably stretched and mistakes can happen. Despite the pandemic, it is important to ensure you are also a priority. You’re life is as important as the patients dealing with Covid.
The pandemic has had an awful impact on cancer services.
The pandemic has had an awful impact on cancer services.
5. Please, if you have a lump or any symptoms you are concerned about, do what you need to do for you. Trust me, the mechanics of the system will not. Young women are often dismissed in regard to breast cancer as ‘too young’. Having to ensure you get the care you need is not new
6. But it is more crucial than ever.
7. I’d also add that I was misdiagnosed twice and went back to my GP 3 times in one week to demand to be referred again because I knew something was wrong. My oncologist told me he was glad I did. Things could have been very different for me. So I really DGAF about ‘unhelpful’.
