What does the 'two week' cancer pathway actually mean?

[drivinmecrazy]

I was referred on the two week path way a week ago.

Am still waiting on communication.

What should I expect at my first appointment?

It's regarding possible breast cancer 😢

It may be that different clinics have different procedures but based on my experience you will go in and have a quick chat with a senior nurse. She will do a physical examination. Then on to a mammogram. If they are concerned or can't get good imaging via mammogram then you will have an ultrasound. At that point they may do a biopsy (this is nowhere as bad as it sounds). They may also mark the lump with a small titanium clip (also not as bad it sounds). Then you'll probably go back to the original nurse for a quick chat.

There is the possibility that they will know by the end of the appointment if the lump is cancerous but I was given a "score" of 3 out of 10 in terms of likelihood mine was cancer but it turned out it was. Waiting for the biopsy results is not fun, obviously but as previous posters have said, the actual odds of a lump being cancer are pretty low so it's not a foregone conclusion.

If it is cancer you will probably have to wait a week or two to have an appointment with a breast surgeon. This is when you need someone with you. This wait for this is the worst bit but it is important as this is when the amazing team who will be looking after you will be working out the most appropriate treatment plan. From the biopsy they will know what kind of breast cancer it is, and grade and you will probably have an MRI to confirm the size of the tumour. You will also be invited to test for the BRACa gene.

Then you will start your treatment based on all the available information. I had 6 months of hormone treatment to shrink the tumour and then a lumpectomy followed by 15 rounds of radiotherapy and no chemotherapy. Other women may have chemo followed by surgery or vice versa but your team will look after you and scary and overwhelming as it is right now, you will handle it all as you go along. If it is cancer, which it may not be.

Yes. In my experience they ruled out Cancer but ruled in something else. It was a draining day but all the testing is done and dusted in a day. Good luck, I hope you get good news.

My appointment lasted 4 hours between seeing the consultant, the mammographies, scans and seeing the consultant again.

There were some ladies with a partner but in most cases the patients were on their own.

Do take water, a book and some sweets. I found the waiting inbetween the worst.

I phoned DH to pick me up (he dropped me there in the morning) and I had a bit of a cry in the car, exhaustion and relief. He is very supportive but he feels as he is missing that bit of anatomy, he can't really rely what if feels like.

Follow up mammographie was absolutely fine.

I had a large lump appear, seemingly overnight but perhaps had been there a while and I hadn't noticed it until it started to hurt a bit.

Was referred under the cancer pathway and seen 10 days later.
Had mammogram and ultrasound, then saw Dr who said it was probably a fluid filled cyst and would try to drain it.
Put a needle in (surprisingly not painful at all) and loads of fluid came out and the lump disappeared!

Was told everything fine and no follow up needed.

Today's the day!
Strangely, after 10 days of being an emotional car crash I'm strangely calm.
Not sure what that's all about 😝

Whatever today brings I know it will change my outlook on life which can only be a positive thing.

A bit nervous about the unknown but I guess that's completely normal.

Looking forward to a HUGE drink later whatever the outcome!

it is a fast track process to make sure you get the right tests and treatment quickly for a better outcome. But that was about 10 years ago so not sure how it works now.

I had unexplained bleeding and I was put on the 2 week pathway by my GP so I could get a biopsy done quickly.

Nerve-wracking, but in the end the results showed it was not cancer.

Good luck today! We're all thinking of you xxx

Well, appointment was at 11.15 and less than an hour later I'm a cancer patient.
Waiting in a 'quiet room' for doctor to officially hand down my sentence.

Can't fault the speed of delivery

Hi
As others have already mentioned get yourself over to the General Health thread called Tilllly@sweetness and light.
Lots of support on there plus there is another thread with a lion picture that is very helpful. X

So sorry that you've been given that diagnosis 😔 sending so much love! I hope the treatment is quick and as easy as possible xxx

Sorry it's bad news.

But at least you now know what you are up against. Say yes to all the support you can get, and please know that breast cancer has had billions of £ thrown at it. It is absolutely not the death sentence it once was.

Big hugs xx

I am so sorry to hear that. Been there, done that, got the wigs! It's shit. BUT you will have a plan for treatment. There will be difficult days, and reasonable days. Take everything you are offered. If friends and family don't know what to say, they may offer lifts, or shopping, cleaning, driving to appointments. Take them all up on their offers. My first time around I did everything alone because I thought I should (and covid didn't help). This time I've accepted every offer of every lift. Having someone there, even just to walk you to a ward is amazing. Everyone's different, everyone's reaction to whatever treatment is offered is different. You can get through this, even on your darkest days. I bang on about Maggie's - but they are amazing if there's one near you. https://www.maggies.org/our-centres/

Stay away from Google. Scream shout, cry, whatever you need, and remember there's a whole group of random strangers on the internet who are happy to chat, support or distract you whenever needed x

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis @drivinmecrazy

Hope you are doing ok

I’m so sorry that you are having to deal with this. I was put on the pathway and felt reassured that I was being prioritised. I went to the centre and was scanned and had biopsies done. It was a mistake to go on my own as I felt very shaky afterwards. I was then quickly recalled and fortunately my son was with me when I was told I did have cancer. My treatment finished over 5 years ago. Sending you a big hug.

I was on the two week pathway for breast cancer a few years ago. All the tests and investigations happened on the same day, and it was ruled out on the day. In my job monitoring patients' blood results for medication they are on, I often see that they are on a two-week wait for other departments in the hospital. I would say a lot of the time it is to rule out cancer... they have to put you on the pathway if there
Is any suspicion at all even if slight...and they are then taken off the pathway. However I don't want to give you false hope...I really hope it all turns out fine for you OP it is such a worrying time!

I'm so sorry @drivinmecrazy. I'm starting my "2 week wait" today.

It's utterly shit @drivinmecrazy but I'm glad to hear that things are moving swiftly for you.

Were they able to tell you much about the type of breast cancer you have? And have they told you the plan yet?

If you feel up to it, come and join us on this thread. We're all at different stages of this delightful journey but the thread is full of support and brilliant women.

Oh OP, sorry this was the result. I hope you're coming to terms with things and also hooe you managed an extra large drink of something once you got home.
Loads of pointers and support services posted already. Please make use of them once you're ready. Hope you're nearest and dearest are rallying round you tonight.

I was there several hours, there was a lot of waiting around so take a drink and maybe a snack and something to read. It was worth it though, by the end of the appointment I had the all clear and was discharged. Some ladies were clearly not quite so lucky and came out with bundles of paperwork for tests so at least they had a proper treatment plan. Maybe pop a notebook and pen in your bag so you can write stuff down, it's easy to get overwhelmed with a long appointment

I'm so sorry, I hadn't read your update when I posted. Sending you lots of love

I am so sorry I have just read your update. 💐