Wow, Why Does It Take So Long To Get A Mammogram Appt?

Christine · Sep 8, 2005

I'm going for my surgical follow-up in November. I had a benign cyst removed last November and was told to come back in November and get a mammogram first.

So, today, September 8th, I called in hopes of getting an October mammogram appointment. I gave the telephone operator my list of preferences for facilities (they have several sites). The first available appointment for a routine mammo at the one closest to my house was DECEMBER 18th!!! I was finally able to get an appointment at the facility 30 miles from my home on November 8th!!

Is the demand THAT high or are there just not enough staff? Just seems like a long wait.

imsorry · Sep 8, 2005

I had to wait 3 months also. I guess it is a good sign in a way, that more women are taking it seriously and having it done.

GoldenGate · Sep 8, 2005

My HMO called me on a Saturday to make sure I made an appointment for a mammogram. When I had to change the appointment date, I got another appointment date right away. There are advantages belonging to an HMO (Kaiser) that is big on prevention.

Rock'n Robin · Sep 8, 2005

I got one the day after I called here. Maybe it's an area thing or an insurance issue.
Robin M.

shoes99 · Sep 8, 2005

I live in Central New Jersey. I called on Aug 12th, and my appointment is December 14th. I asked why so long a wait, and they said that more and more imaging/xray centers are closing because of costs.

Lessa of Pern · Sep 9, 2005

My doctor is sending me out for a mammo too.

I asked if I could go to the same private lab where I get my CT scans done. he said he preferred me to go to the radiation center a tthe hospital where he has privileges, and that I should make a follow up appointment with him at the end of Septemeber to review the results.

uh, doctor? the earliest I could get an appointment was October 31. if you'd let me go to the private lab, it would have been done this week.

but my hospital is actually pretty fast..my mom had to wait almost 4 months to get an appointment at a different hospital in our community.

Christine · Sep 9, 2005

Lessa of Pern said:
My doctor is sending me out for a mammo too.

I asked if I could go to the same private lab where I get my CT scans done. he said he preferred me to go to the radiation center a tthe hospital where he has privileges, and that I should make a follow up appointment with him at the end of Septemeber to review the results.

uh, doctor? the earliest I could get an appointment was October 31. if you'd let me go to the private lab, it would have been done this week.

but my hospital is actually pretty fast..my mom had to wait almost 4 months to get an appointment at a different hospital in our community.

Yeah, there is a "local" place here that could probably get me in within the month. However, both my breast surgeon AND my GYN believe that the other, busier facility provides a better mammogram. I guess that's why they are so busy.