Concern About Breast Ultrasound Delays at St. James’s Clinic

Just turned 43. I had mammograms in 2021 and 2022 which showed multiple cysts on one side. After that, I stopped checking for a a few years as I was scaring myself all the time and couldn’t trust what I was feeling.

A few months ago, I started checking again and noticed big changes, in the same area as before, but different. The feeling of the lump now makes me feel physically nauseous. I went to my GP on 17th July and attended the breast clinic at St. James’s today (31st).

I was examined by two specialists. The younger female doctor took it seriously and brought in the older male consultant. When I was sitting upright, he initially seemed to dismiss it as probably the same as last time. But when I lay down and he examined me again, he did a sort of double take, exchanged a look with the other doctor, and said it was probably benign. He arranged a mammogram for today and said I’d come back for an ultrasound and possibly a biopsy on another day.

I’ve had melanoma before, so even though “probably benign” is reassuring, I can’t help but worry.

When I got home, I let the clinic know I’ll be away for a few days with my children in late August ( my first time away in over two years) and asked if there was any chance I’d have the ultrasound before then. I was told no, because there’s a huge backlog, and it’s unlikely I’ll be seen before that.

Is this kind of delay common? Has anyone else experienced this?
I’m very nervous, of course, but also really concerned about what this means for others who might be in a much more serious situation. The waiting is agonising!