….to be worrying over 2 week referral hospital appointment?

[KrustyTheKat]

So I’m 46 and post menopausal. I’m currently taking HRT and have not had a period since before 2019. I’ve had no incidents of spotting/bleeding in all this time.

About 4 weeks ago I had the worse stomach cramps ever! Like excruciating period pains. I then had some very light spotting.

I contacted my GP expecting him to say maybe change HRT or something along those lines.

He asked lots of questions and because I’ve been getting constipation and my stomach is very bloated he’s sent me for blood tests, a faecal test (for bowel cancer) and he did a 2 week referral to the hospitals gynaecology department for an urgent scan for cancer!

My appointment is on Tuesday and as the time gets nearer I’m getting more and more worried.

I’ve had no more spotting incidents but have had intermittent bad stomach cramps

Has anyone been in this situation before? Can you tell me what happened please?

I have had a two week referral that thankfully I got the all clear from. The wait is very worrying 💐

The GP has to do due diligence and rule it out - bear in mind that your symptoms could be a myriad of other things but they have to be cautious. Will keep everything crossed for positive news for you.

I'm 50 and in a similar situation. Bloating and periods every 2 weeks now after nothing. I've got blood tests and fit kit to give back to doctors tomorrow. I just assumed it was HRT related.

My DD (21) has been experiencing the same symptoms: bloated, constipated and then had 3 periods in 6 weeks. She has a hospital appointment tomorrow and I feel sick worrying about it. Good luck with your app OP and I hope all is well x

Your GP really shouldn’t have mentioned cancer to you at this stage, he doesn’t know what your diagnosis will be

That is absolute bollocks.

It is really important that GPs do explain that a 2 week referral is to rule out cancer, so that patients understand the importance of attending the appointment, and so that they don't get a shock if cancer is mentioned at the appointment or in the letter. NHS guidance is very strongly that GPs must mention it.

OP, well over 90% of 2 week referrals turn out to be nothing serious. But your GP has done absolutely the right thing.

Thank you all for your messages.

My GP is very good and I know he’s only doing his job and I’m grateful for that I think I was just shocked by the urgency of it all as cancer hadn’t even entered my head!

My appointment is to actually see a consultant and have an ultrasound.

@juicy0 My fingers are crossed for your daughter, it’s all such a worry isn’t it?

I’ll update this post when I’ve seen the doctor

I’ve been in this situation more than once, am currently under another two week pathway - I have something odd but harmless that shows up on routine tests and they check just in case it turns serious one day. The two week pathway is the way the system works and far better to get something checked quickly rather than languishing on a waiting list for months. It’s daunting the first time, now I really appreciate the rapid referral and am reassured that if it does turn out to be cancer then at least it’s been found. I won’t tell you not to worry because of course you will but there are many things it could be other than cancer. Best of luck to you

My mum has been on the 2 week referral path twice and come back clear both times. Over 90% of cases referred come back clear!
It could be something minor, they just have to rule out the really bad stuff first.

I am 42 and was on the two week pathway with similar symptoms to you. The doctor asked about family history of Ovarian cancer which shocked me but he explained they don't take chances with these symptoms and that it's not called the silent killer for nothing. Anyway I had my scan which was not cancer and I'm thankful it was taken seriously and done quickly. This was the height of Covid too. I'm sure yours will be the same, best wishes OP and hopefully you can update with reassuring news

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow yes you are right, I stand corrected. Apologies OP.

I had not had a period for +2yrs.

NOT on HRT.
In August this yr I had a mass of emotion and that night I basically I started a normal period.
After checking on here the advice was to speak to my doctor.
I got an emergency appointment that morning and was put on a 2 week cancer referral. My doctor explained that any unexplained bleeding after 1yr is automatic cancer 2 week referral but most are NOT cancer.
She did ask if I had ever had HRT as it can cause spotting/bleeding.
I had to go for a scan the day before I went to see the consultant. I did have to have an internal but he also did my smear at the same time which I was thankful for.

Nothing bad found thankfully and no other symptoms since. I explained the massive emotions and the consultant said basically an ovary had a power surge! I can be doing without thanks!😂

The important thing is you are doing what you should. Hopefully everything will be fine but if there is something, you're giving yourself the best chance by seeing to it quickly X x 💖

The two week pathway is about ruling cancer out. There are certain symptoms that your GP has to refer you for. Most people who are referred don't have cancer, but it's set up to catch those who do, so they can get treatment as quickly as possible.

Best wishes to you!

You are wrong about the GP mentioning cancer.
Post menopausal bleeding has to be investigated on the 2 week wait pathway, and this pathway is ALWAYS to rule out cancer. That's what it was devised for. One of the boxes the GP has to tick on the form states that the GP has told the patient the referral is to rule out cancer. Without that discussion there can be no referral.

But you know, it's always worth taking an opportunity to have a go at a doctor on MN.

OP the vast majority of these cases turn out to be nothing, so try not to worry, statistics are on your side.

Yes I did. Saw consultant who was very reassuring but booked me in for a colonoscopy as didn't like some symptoms.
Went in 3 weeks after the consultation and was diagnosed with chrons. Nothing sinister was found.

My GP told me she thought it could be cancer. Was a very worrying time.

You're on the speedy track and as scary as it could be, it's usually not.

Thinking of you and hope you're reassured next week when you see them. I found the wait the hardest part

Perfectly normal to worry. Perfectly reasonable of your GP to be honest - a bit concerning if they weren't.

What you have to hold on to is that most referrals are nothing worrying. Its done quickly to rule out cancers and worse case, to treat early.

It's worrying but hopefully will provide reassurance quickly.

I've been at the hospital end, managing 2WW referrals. I think your GP sounds very thorough, and I can tell you the vast majority of such referrals (and all referrals through the 2WW protocol) turn out not to be sinister at all. It's something that needs checking, so they are checking it, but the likelihood is that you will be reassured as to cancer.

I notice you spoke to your GP 4 weeks ago and have an appointment next week, so It seems your referral may have been triaged as not needing 2WW.

Yes I’ve said upthread that I am wrong

Not all GPs tell you that you may have cancer. My GP made a two week gynae cancer referral for me without my knowledge. I had an appointment with him because I felt bloated and sluggish. He said that he was going to refer me for an abdominal scan. The appointment letter arrived with a leaflet containing information on why I had been referred on a two week cancer pathway and what to expect. I didn't have cancer - but the possibility of cancer was not mentioned during my GP appointment.

I notice you spoke to your GP 4 weeks ago and have an appointment next week, so It seems your referral may have been triaged as not needing 2WW

Many Trusts are breaching the 2ww because of a lack of consultants being available.

Best of luck, OP.

Thank you all for your reassuring responses, it’s really put my mind at ease.

Just to clarify my spotting and pain started 4 weeks ago but I wasn’t able to get an appointment with my GP for a further 2 weeks. So it is under the 2 week referral time.

I have recently gone through the 2 week cancer pathway referral and my gp mentioned ovarian cancer.
I managed to book an appointment for an ultrasound scan and bloods with in the 2 weeks. However I then had to wait nearly a month for a hysteroscopy appointment. I waited over 2 weeks for the results, which I then only received via the consultant's secretary over the phone as I had to chase them up.
Thankfully the results came back normal, but my 2 week referral ended up being more than two months of stress and worry.
'Try not to worry until there is something to worry about' is easier said than done.
Good luck and I hope your case gets resolved within the correct time frame.

When I chased up my referral, I was told the 2 week wait is about 6 weeks currently as the system is rammed. I cried a lot and the lady on the phone at the hospital found me an appointment for 2 days later.
10 day wait time in total. But only because I was persistent and got a cancellation app

hi @KrustyTheKat , I posted about this a couple of weeks ago when I had post-meno bleeding. I’be also got my 2 week appointment on Tuesday, although that’s just for ultrasound, it’s another couple of weeks after that before my consultant appointment.
im relatively calm about it because I know the chances are that it’s fine but I know I’ll be anxious on Tuesday. Are you going on your own?

@Akite My partner is coming with me. I have severe anxiety aside from this so I couldn’t attend without someone with me. Are you going alone?

Are you having any pain? I think that’s what’s worrying me the most, I feel like I’m about to have a really bad period and I’ve been taking painkillers the past few weeks just so I can function properly. God knows what’s going on inside me! 😟

Yes I'm going on my own, the hospital is quite a way away and DH is needed at home to pick kids up from school. I'm pretty good with medical stuff generally, so I will be fine. It's just an ultrasound tomorrow though, he'll come with me for the consultant appt in case I need anything doing which means I can't drive.
i don't feel anything at all, no symptoms whatsoever. Bleeding was out of the blue and has disappeared completely again.

do you have any further appointments after tomorrow? we can give each other a virtual handhold to get through the day.