Cancer confirmed confused about nhs guidelines really treatment.

[Dontbesilly]

Df has been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. He first had a scan (indeed any form of medical contact since seeing his gp about this) on June 19th. Following a few more scans he has been given a diagnosis and life expectancy of a year at best. Trouble is every scan picks up something else that wasn't present previously. Time is of the essence.

The oncologist agreed to aggressive chemotherapy and radiotherapy but we suspect from his copy notes that we have this is I think palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

He still has yet to start any chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Bearing in mind government/nhs guidelines in terms of timescales. Is this pushing these recommendations and can we force them to start what they promised?

I have been looking on the Web for indications but my mind isn't really registering the information that I need.

Basically from June 19 to today are they not following timescales as he is otherwise fit and healthy now.

Apologies if this doesn't make sense I am absolutely in a state of terror!

[Dontbesilly]

Damn autocorrect title should say regarding treatment......sorry

[Findingthissohard]

Dontbesilly, so sorry to hear the news on your dh. I'm unfortunately in pretty much identical boat.

From what I understand, the government guidelines suggest 2 months from diagnosis to treatment. So I suppose theoretically they have until August 19th but as the scans are completing the diagnosis, it could be longer.
When is your next appointment with the oncologist? Can you call their secretary and see what they say?

[Dontbesilly]

Thank you finding. Sorry that you are in this situation too. It's horrible!!

From what we know everything investigatory has been done. He only saw the oncologist a week ago, yet diagnosis was mid June. He has been promised aggressive chemotherapy and radiotherapy but when is anybodies guess. We are trying to secure a second opinion and have copies of his notes. From what we can see each scan shows the mass increasing in size in a matter of a week or so. We fear that the dose of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is palliative despite being assured that it's aggressive. I could scream with the frustration of being fobbed off by consultants. We are going to try again tomorrow to speak to her but guess she might not be available.

I even contacted my mp begging him to help get chemo started....How mad is that.

I am also going to speak to the hospital and raise a query on timescales being met see if there is anything they can do.

I really hope that you get sorted out and that everything works out for you. The cancer is bad enough but it's so unfair having to literally fight for something to save lives. Thinking of you.