Doctor wants a face to face consult today after I filled in the online booking system. Now panicking !

[drivinmecrazy]

Used our doctors surgery online system this morning.
Every other time I've used it I've been offered a telephone consult, which suits me fine.

I've just got a call from the surgery saying doctor wants to see me at 3.45.

Trying not to panic now.

It's so rare to get a face to face here so now my mind is going into overdrive.

I have terrible health anxiety at the best of times but now it's gone into overdrive

2 week pathway doesn’t always end up as bad news , both my husband and my sister have been on a 2 week pathway and neither had anything sinister .

best wishes @drivinmecrazy

Please don't panic, the two week pathway doesn't necessarily mean anything bad - it's just that you have a particular set of symptoms that need investigating, that's all.

Lots of people go on the pathway and find out they don't have cancer.

90% of people referred don't end up having cancer.

From Cancer Research UK

Whatever the outcome, there is so much that can be done. Tons of support on here and elsewhere. Call Macmillan if you want to talk. Stay away from google- stick to Macmillan or relevant sites ie breast cancer now. This part, the waiting is the very hardest, as all of on the cancer threads say.

OP, it might not be anything serious. My mum was referred under the two week cancer referral for suspected bowel cancer. She had all the symptoms and she is in her mid 60s. Went for her colonoscopy and it wasn’t cancer or anything serious. Good luck.

Thank you to all that have shared your experiences.

I think I knew in my heart of hearts it would lead me down this path.

Just trying to stay focused on the fact that nothing has been confirmed yet.

Many deep breaths have been had and I'm using all of my strength to stay in the moment. It's the unknown that terrifies me.

Can I ask a ridiculous question, when it's a 'two week pathway' do you really get an acknowledgment or appointment within that time?

Ish you should have an appointment within 2 weeks though it can slip to the third

Depends a bit on which clinic, for the breast clinic they called me to make my appointment the following day and offered me a cancellation the following day (it was nothing btw) and the skin clinic was just over 2 weeks but the biopsied and excised the area at the appointment which came back negative. Dp was seen within 2 weeks at the bowel clinic but 9 month wait for treatment once decided it wasn't cancer

I think it depends on where you live. Unfortunately the area I work in (I'm a GP medical secretary) it can be nearer 4 weeks for some specialities. I would also say that I have been on the 2ww pathway 3 times and none where anything to worry about. As a pp posted earlier most referrals turn out to be nothing to worry about. Good luck OP

Yes - it really should mean 2 weeks. Both times me and DP were on 2 week pathways we had appointments or straight to scopes within the 2 weeks. As others have said - if you have a particular pattern of symptoms you're on the 2 week pathway whether the GP thinks you need it or not.

Look out for texts in the evening too - that was our latest experience.
Good luck

I have twice been on the two week pathway. Both times I had an appointment within 48 hours. They phoned me. Both times it was nothing. Doctors start with the worse case scenario and work backwards. So they rule out the worse thing first. Which is a good thing.

Sorry you're going through this and it won't help now but try and rest assured that they've noticed and listened and done what they have should and you'll be grateful for that. Nothing can help you not worry or feel better now but try not to let it eat you up, believe me I know that's easier said than done.

Speaking from recent experience it was a matter of less than 48 hours for contact for an appointment date booked within 7 days then called for an earlier as there had been a cancellation. Mine was in Merseyside & breast clinic but I think it woukd deoend on clinic and location I really hope it is quick for you. Sending you strength and hope

I'm in a similar position so to give an idea of my timeframes... I filled out an online form for my GP last Tuesday morning, had a face to face appointment with GP at 14:45 that day. Was referred on the 2 week pathway to the breast clinic that day, received an email the Thursday confirming my appointment for 5th August.

I was also daunted by the speed of it all but feel reassured by other posters who have had all clear.

Yes you do - I've been on it (possible melanoma, turned out to be nothing) and been responsible for administering it at the hospital end. All referrals reviewed by specialist reg or higher within 24 hours, appointment/tests within 14 days from receipt of referral, and mostly well within. Most turn out not to be urgent but certain things are always 2ww.

I'm on a 2 week pathway. Spoke to a nurse Friday. I got scan booked for tomorrow and gynecologist next week.

try not to worry soo, easier said than done I know. I also have health anxiety that ranges from mild to severe by the minute.

doctors use this rule, think worst case scenario, rule it out then move on to the lesser causes. Many a times have I got myself in such a mess over something that turned out to be trivial.

stay strong Op

health anxiety is worse than any health condition I’ve ever had

I’m sorry you’re going through this. It might help to focus on the 2 week pathway being a really good response from your GP. It doesn’t mean the worst.
I’ve been on the pathway at least 3 times for unrelated things and I’m still here and well.
Wishing you the best.

I’ve been referred twice via 2 week pathway, once for breast issues another for skin cancer. The first was within 2 weeks, the second over, although I got my appointment within the 2 weeks for about 5 weeks after docs appt.
Ist one clear, 2nd needed BCG removal.

Fingers crossed all is ok

i was referred under the 2 week pathway during Covid and had an appointment with the consultant around 3-4 weeks later.

I had an appointment through by then, my trust fails to ever keep up with the 2 week wait but wasn't far behind.

It was all fine and I think things like lumps in boobs etc trigger the 2 week wait but are usually fine!

Another one that has been down the 2 week pathway a few times and been lucky so far - I know this can’t be the case for everyone OP but try to focus on the fact that you will get a thorough check over and not have to spend months worrying about it anymore. Like someone else said, a HUGE majority isn’t serious.

I was on the 2 week pathway, lump seen during pelvic U/S scan - Dr said she had to do it even though she didn't think it was cancer

I had my appointment within 10 days, then several more appointments just to make sure but it wasn't cancer

Best of luck OP - I also have health anxiety and those were the longest weeks of my life. Sending unmumsnetty hugs

Just to reassure you - I’ve been on the ‘2 week pathway’ - which is just cancer screening, 5 times! Twice for bowel, once for ovarian, once for a breast lump and once for a neck lump - all where NOT cancer!

Depends what it is the 2 way pathway for. In my area I was sent on 2 week pathway for breast cancer, I got an appointment via text the same day and booked on for 1.5 weeks later in which I was given the all clear.