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Original poster

Potential skin cancer, NHS and private waiting times

117 replies

Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 13:46

This is more of a rant than anything else.

My GP referred me yesterday to dermatology on the cancer pathway. I was very anxious, so today I paid £200 to see a private consultant. She thinks I need a biopsy. If I do it with that clinic, it will be another £650, but I should get results within a few days.

I also have private health insurance (have been paying for it for several years). If I go through them, it should be covered, but the wait is around 7 to 8 weeks in total for the consultation, biopsy appointment and results. I was told by them that because the NHS is so busy, more people use private now hence the longer waiting times...

With the NHS, I do not even know how long it will take.

How did we get here? I have lived in this country for more than 20 years. I have spent thousands on education, visas and citizenship. I have worked continuously and paid a huge amount in tax. And now I am sitting here wondering whether it was all really worth it. What happens when I am 50, 60 or 70 and my health gets worse? How did we let politicians run the healthcare system into this state?

OP posts:
Cookiepuss · 14/04/2026 16:33

Highonmyownsupply · 14/04/2026 16:25

I don’t think it’s dependent on which company you’re with. Dermatology is in huge demand at the moment and even the private ones are holding long wait lists.

Show quote history

Very true, but as I posted earlier my DH had appointment and first lot of treatment in less than a week of contacting the private medical company (this was mid-March with telephone consult on Sunday, appointment on Wednesday). Maybe it depends on the area you live too.

Chewbecca · 14/04/2026 16:30

Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 16:23

Well not necessary. 2 weeks is what they aim for but that's not guaranteed. Someone I know with a skin cancer had to wait weeks for every step

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If it was a BCC, that's totally appropriate. They take decades to spread, if at all.

Original poster
Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 16:29

SDV29 · 14/04/2026 16:23

I had an NHS biopsy yesterday and was told the growth looked suspicious and could be cancer. It’s taken 11 months from referral to finally getting the biopsy.

This is my third cancer scare in a year, and because the previous two were clear, I didn’t prioritise this one.

We have private health insurance, and the consultation, biopsy, and any follow‑up would have only cost £200 and been done within weeks. I really wish I’d gone private.

I am so sorry to hear about that...

Was there any particular reason it took 11 months for biopsy? Were they that busy or just did not prioritise that?

OP posts:
Original poster
Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 16:26

Everydayisanew · 14/04/2026 16:21

I’ve had good and bad experiences. Unexplained vaginal bleeding and pain and seen for a scan in 5 days and results then and there. Problem with heart scan and chest x ray and coughing blood and waited 6 months for an appointment this was after waiting 8 months for an echo cardiogram and another x ray as one was ‘lost’ how exactly it can be lost when it is digital I don’t know! and discharged immediately as despite a diagnosis of valve failureissues and heart disease on NHS records seen on scans but consultant discharged me as I was under 50, female, fit and healthy and non smoker and he believed they didn’t have heart disease. (I do), I complained to my MP about it. I would go private and do it fast worth it for the stress reduction alone.

Sorry to hear, that sounds very tough! I hope you are ok. Unfortunately as you can see from my example even paying for the private insurance does not guarantee a faster timescale anymore...

OP posts:
fouleetmites · 14/04/2026 16:25

Mine was two weeks. Removed within about 4. Nhs. Husbands the same. His was much more to be removed and two places too.

Highonmyownsupply · 14/04/2026 16:25

Cookiepuss · 14/04/2026 16:02

Wow, a month seems excessive - do you mind me asking which private medical insurance company you are with?

DH's company have used Bupa and Aviva in the past and both have been absolutely fantastic.

Show quote history

I don’t think it’s dependent on which company you’re with. Dermatology is in huge demand at the moment and even the private ones are holding long wait lists.

SDV29 · 14/04/2026 16:23

I had an NHS biopsy yesterday and was told the growth looked suspicious and could be cancer. It’s taken 11 months from referral to finally getting the biopsy.

This is my third cancer scare in a year, and because the previous two were clear, I didn’t prioritise this one.

We have private health insurance, and the consultation, biopsy, and any follow‑up would have only cost £200 and been done within weeks. I really wish I’d gone private.

Original poster
Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 16:23

DejaMooo · 14/04/2026 16:17

I think I must have been very fortunate. I was seen by dermatology less than 2 weeks after referral from my GP. Growth was removed another 2 weeks later and was confirmed as BCC. I was really impressed with how fast it all was. I hope you get seen soon.

Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 16:23

BlueCh1ck · 14/04/2026 16:16

But you’ll be seen within 2 weeks on the nhs.

Show quote history

Well not necessary. 2 weeks is what they aim for but that's not guaranteed. Someone I know with a skin cancer had to wait weeks for every step

OP posts:
Everydayisanew · 14/04/2026 16:21

I’ve had good and bad experiences. Unexplained vaginal bleeding and pain and seen for a scan in 5 days and results then and there. Problem with heart scan and chest x ray and coughing blood and waited 6 months for an appointment this was after waiting 8 months for an echo cardiogram and another x ray as one was ‘lost’ how exactly it can be lost when it is digital I don’t know! and discharged immediately as despite a diagnosis of valve failureissues and heart disease on NHS records seen on scans but consultant discharged me as I was under 50, female, fit and healthy and non smoker and he believed they didn’t have heart disease. (I do), I complained to my MP about it. I would go private and do it fast worth it for the stress reduction alone.

tipsyraven · 14/04/2026 16:19

I’ve had a couple of skin cancers and treated very quickly with both. My initial appointment for them both was within a week.

DejaMooo · 14/04/2026 16:17

I think I must have been very fortunate. I was seen by dermatology less than 2 weeks after referral from my GP. Growth was removed another 2 weeks later and was confirmed as BCC. I was really impressed with how fast it all was. I hope you get seen soon.

Original poster
Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 16:16

Didimum · 14/04/2026 16:11

I biopsy is to determine if it's cancer or not. The appearance of different skin cancers in quite different, so a derm should have an idea. You don't think what's not OK?

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She said she did not.

I don't think it's ok to wait for 2 months to get a biopsy results for whatever cancer it is. Would you like to wait for 2 months in my case?

OP posts:
BlueCh1ck · 14/04/2026 16:16

Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 16:13

Sure. That's with AXA

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But you’ll be seen within 2 weeks on the nhs.

Original poster
Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 16:13

Cookiepuss · 14/04/2026 16:02

Wow, a month seems excessive - do you mind me asking which private medical insurance company you are with?

DH's company have used Bupa and Aviva in the past and both have been absolutely fantastic.

Show quote history

Sure. That's with AXA

OP posts:
Didimum · 14/04/2026 16:11

Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 15:54

The GP and the dermatologist don't know... That's why I am referred for a biopsy I guess.

In any case, I don't think that's OK

Show quote history

I biopsy is to determine if it's cancer or not. The appearance of different skin cancers in quite different, so a derm should have an idea. You don't think what's not OK?

BlueCh1ck · 14/04/2026 16:08

Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 15:52

2 weeks for what? It took around 2 weeks for me to only get an appointment with the GP. I am not sure how long I'd need to wait for the hospital appointment...

Show quote history

2 weeks to see consultant at the hospital and have biopsy. It’s the 2 week cancer pathway.

Cookiepuss · 14/04/2026 16:02

Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 15:50

For me it's taking a MONTH only to see a consultant through the private insurance. The biopsy will take longer

Edited
Show quote history

Wow, a month seems excessive - do you mind me asking which private medical insurance company you are with?

DH's company have used Bupa and Aviva in the past and both have been absolutely fantastic.

Original poster
Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 15:54

Didimum · 14/04/2026 15:47

Depends what type of skin cancer is suspected. Other than melanoma, the other two are likely not urgent

The GP and the dermatologist don't know... That's why I am referred for a biopsy I guess.

In any case, I don't think that's OK

OP posts:
Original poster
Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 15:52

BlueCh1ck · 14/04/2026 15:39

It’s 2 weeks on the NHS here. Biopsy results came back v quick too within that time frame too.

2 weeks for what? It took around 2 weeks for me to only get an appointment with the GP. I am not sure how long I'd need to wait for the hospital appointment...

OP posts:
Original poster
Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 15:50

Cookiepuss · 14/04/2026 15:30

Thanks for clarifying - I guess it depends on how quickly you want to know.

All I can say is from experience of my DH's most recent interaction with his private cover (which was only initiated in the middle of March this year), he was seen and had his first treatment within 7 days of making his initial contact with the private insurance company.

Fortunately a biopsy was not needed so I can't say how long that would have taken but things tend to move quite quickly once you've had the initial appointment with the consultant.

Show quote history

For me it's taking a MONTH only to see a consultant through the private insurance. The biopsy will take longer

OP posts:
Didimum · 14/04/2026 15:47

Depends what type of skin cancer is suspected. Other than melanoma, the other two are likely not urgent

BlueCh1ck · 14/04/2026 15:39

It’s 2 weeks on the NHS here. Biopsy results came back v quick too within that time frame too.

greengreengrass3 · 14/04/2026 15:34

I was in a similar position last July, I called my private health care on the Sunday and had an appointment for the Wednesday evening with results given within the hour at the private hospital.
I’m shocked at how long you’ve been advised, sorry you’re going through this.

Cookiepuss · 14/04/2026 15:30

Comfortable8520 · 14/04/2026 15:20

It was not thought my private insurance as they would not see me next day. The private insurance process takes 7-8 weeks (to get a consultation, biopsy and the results). The 200 I paid was from my pocket. If I want to know the biopsy results in several days, I'd have to pay another 650!

Edited
Show quote history

Thanks for clarifying - I guess it depends on how quickly you want to know.

All I can say is from experience of my DH's most recent interaction with his private cover (which was only initiated in the middle of March this year), he was seen and had his first treatment within 7 days of making his initial contact with the private insurance company.

Fortunately a biopsy was not needed so I can't say how long that would have taken but things tend to move quite quickly once you've had the initial appointment with the consultant.