October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the medical negligence team at JMW is raising awareness of the standards of care people should receive when referred for an urgent breast cancer investigation. This includes explaining the two-week rule, which sets out the timeframe in which you should be seen by a specialist, and outlining what you are entitled to expect at each stage of the process.

The two-week rule is the process where a doctor or nurse refers their patient for suspected cancer to a specialist urgently, often called a two-week wait referral (2ww). This takes place when symptoms suggest that cancer could be a possibility, and further investigation is needed without delay. The aim is for people to be seen by a hospital specialist within 14 days of the referral so that tests can be carried out quickly.

During this appointment, a specialist may carry out a physical examination and arrange further investigations. These tests help confirm whether the symptoms are due to breast cancer or another condition. Acting quickly at this stage is vital because early diagnosis and timely treatment offer the best chance of effective care and recovery.

How Long Does it Take to be Seen After a Referral?

Once a GP or nurse makes an urgent suspected cancer referral, you should receive details of your first hospital appointment within a few days. Contact may be made by post, email or over the phone. It is not unusual for calls from the hospital to come from an unknown or withheld number, so it is helpful to be aware of this.

If you have not heard anything within seven days of the referral, you should contact the service that referred you and explain that you are waiting for an urgent suspected cancer appointment. If your symptoms worsen while you are waiting, you should make an appointment with your GP straight away.

The first appointment is usually with a breast clinic specialist. At this visit, you may be examined and asked about your medical history. Depending on your symptoms, the specialist may arrange further tests such as a mammogram, an ultrasound scan, or a biopsy. These investigations help identify whether the symptoms are linked to breast cancer or another condition.

It is common for people to attend more than one appointment, particularly if different tests are needed. The number and type of appointments will depend on the nature of your symptoms and the investigations required.

What Are My Rights After Being Referred?

When you are referred under the two-week rule, the NHS has set standards to make sure that people are assessed, diagnosed and treated without unnecessary delay. You have the right to:

• Be seen by a hospital specialist within 14 days of your urgent referral.
• Receive a diagnosis and have a decision made about your treatment within 28 days of the referral.
• Begin treatment within 31 days of the diagnosis, or 62 days of your GP making the urgent referral.

These timescales are designed to give people the best chance of receiving care at the right stage of their condition. Cancer treatment often works most effectively when it is started early, so delays at any stage can have a real impact.

Making a Claim for Compensation

If the right processes are not followed correctly - for example, if there are delays in making the referral, in arranging the appointment, or in carrying out the necessary investigations, this can have long-lasting consequences. For example, more extensive treatment may be required, or the cancer may have spread to other parts of the body, leading to a worse prognosis and reduced life expectancy. Our experienced medical negligence solicitors understand the standard of care you should receive after being referred, and can help you establish if that standard has not been met.

If you think you have experienced negligence with your breast cancer treatment or diagnosis, or if you would like to make a claim on behalf of a loved one who cannot act for themselves, a solicitor specialising in medical negligence can guide you through the process. We will listen to your story and assess if we think you can make a claim and set out the options available to you in an easy-to-understand manner.

Learn more about how to make a claim for breast cancer negligence and the circumstances where this may apply.