To think Chris Evans experience of cancer treatment isn't common ?

[Warszawa]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-66863274

I saw this article about Chris Evans having skin cancer removed. He mentions in the article time is of the essence and to get symptoms checked out - good advice of course but practically is that possible any more?

it's great that he got early intervention, but I've spent the last two weeks trying and failing to get a GP appointment for a fairly urgent matter.

I wonder what the experiences of "ordinarily people" ie those without the wealth to give access to private medical care are like? It doesn't mention in the article if he was treated on the NHS

Im not really looking at it from a political angle ( NHS has obviously been ran into the ground) I am interested to hear of peoples experiences - was it a battle to get seen etc

My AIBU is " I don't think you or I as a person reliant on the NHS would have had a similar experience to Chris, esp post pandemic"

I know a PP asked if facial skin cancer was prioritised but mine was on my leg. Referred to hospital within 2 weeks. At first hospital appointment, they removed it and did a biopsy. I had to call DH to drive me home.

I was concerned about a mole-same day appointment. The GP had come from a specialist skin post so checked it out there and then (all good) and sent me on my way.

I have never had a problem getting an appointment.

Not a skin cancer referral, but unexplained bleeding after menopause. Phoned our GP (horrendous for appointments, have to phone st 8.30 for that day, no future appointments). Explained symptoms , was seen by nurse practitioner that day who didn't have to examine me as the symptoms meant immediate referral on 2 week cancer plan. Was seen at hospital within 2 weeks and had my results with 2 more, thankfully all clear.
I cant complain about an emergency/urgent treatment anyone in my family has needed, but to get a GP appointment for something more 'regular ' is a bloody nightmare.

Of course he went private.

I have a friend who works in an NHS cancer clinic and he said that lots of diagnoses are either being missed or two late. He says it's pretty shocking and this is at a hospital/trust that has a very good reputation.

Several people I know have given up on waiting for the NHS and have paid to be seen privately. That's the way it's going, isn't it?

Same day appt for suspected BCC at GP surgery. Referred to hospital consultant and seen within the week - thankfully not anything sinister at all. All NHS. DH had prostate cancer diagnosed last year. Again seen by GP quickly and referred to hospital, tests, scans etc. All very efficient and treatment started straight away. Sadly not curable but treatable. Local NHS services have been brilliant, can't fault them at all.

I thought this was about Captain America😂

My dh was sent away with some steroids from the gp for a lump that appeared on his skin. Four months later it was found (via biopsy) to be a squamous cell carcinoma discovered totally by accident by a consultant who was checking something else and said I’m going to deal with that right now! DH felt very lucky.

I had a mole turn into a growth.

Took well over a month just to see a GP, they then fucked about for another few weeks trying various ways to "shrink it" (AKA made it worse) before eventually referring me to a dermatologist.

From first ringing my GP to the day it was finally removed was 6 months.

Luckily it wasn't cancerous.

To be fair, if she can't get an appointment with the GP at all, the GP doesn't know whether it might be cancer or not. At our surgery, you ring at 8 and once the telephone slots are gone that's it. It's complete lottery, and once they're gone, they don't ask why you're calling to check if it might be urgent. No online triage/e-consult, no ability to pre-book a non-urgent appointment in a few weeks. So if you did have a suspicious mole, or a lump in your breast, you could easily not be seen for a couple of weeks if you don't make it through at 8am.

This is exactly what happened to me!

I tried to go online to book an appointment, because I read on hear about how easy it is NOT, took me nearly 2 hours to setting up passwords memorable words, and all really personal info, and asked for facial ID at the end after witch point I gave up. I phoned in the end to be told to ring up at 8 for a possible appointment.

here.

The NHS App has to be super secure though, so unfortunately the set-up has to be quite intensive. It literally gives the holder access to your most personal information.

If you persevere with it it can be very useful though. I can reorder repeat prescriptions at the press of a button, see when they're ready at my pharmacy, see all my test results as soon as they are processed and track how they've moved over time.

Just coming back to this thread, really cross, so I chased my e consult and was told someone was phoning me tomorrow, I get home from work having been driving to find someone phoned while I was driving, no message left (the thing I am querying can be answered by leaving a message) and a text saying that the dr couldnt get hold me me, I phone the surgery back 7 minutes after the text and missed call, surgery is closed!!!

Its not enough to do one phone call if you cant get hold of someone nor it is ok not to leave a message, I specifically said to the receptionist when I chased this that a message needs to be left if they cant reach me.

Im so annoyed. No email address on the surgery's website to complain to the practice manager.

The whole point of the thread is about the NHS not private treatment.

I keep having the same kind of bleeding.

What kind of tests did you have done?

I phoned for a gp appointment - was asked what the problem was and was offered one that day. Referred on a 2 week wait to see dermatologist, had procedure two weeks after that.
Luckily results came back clear.
Not sure the service is the same everywhere

Both my husband and son had testicular lumps dealt with within 2 week time frame, ditto a skin cancer I had removed. I’ve also had an MRI done very recently within the 2 week path way and overnight bloods I got the results from the next day. All NHS. Fab GP service too.The NHS mental health provision here however is woeful.

I had a concern about a bleeding mole on my back. Submitted an online form to my GP (their standard practice). The same Dayi had a text message requesting a photo. The next day I had a call from a GP saying they were referring me directly to a dermatologist clinic.

had that appointment 7 days later. That doctor identified 2 moles they had concerns with, I had them removed 4 weeks later.

absolutely nothing to fault in the whole process.

It was under 2 weeks from me spotting it to removal of a suspicious spot on my skin, can be very quick as it's a simple out patient appointment and they send it off. Mine was negative

No problem with same day appointments face to face or virtual if happy to see anybody here either, we can also a Gp of our choice face to face for booked appointments if happy to wait for 2 weeks.

Our amazing Gp is actually better than our core mental health team and psychiatrist with my teens and that is no exaggeration. He is worth waiting 2 weeks for something major but I will take anybody if I need to be seen quick. The fresh out of college Gp I had recently was amazing. I rang re a possible DVtT and she saw me in half an hour and had put me on medication that night with bloods taken first thing next morning and the results first thing the next day.

I had a suspect mole. Was dealt with within 2 weeks.

Mine was a wart.

YABU - you’re saying ‘I don’t think’ and stirring up something of which you have no personal experience.

my dad had a skin cancer concern post pandemic (last year). He was seen very quickly and had it diagnosed and removed within a few weeks (all NHS). The scar is tiny - he had Mohs surgery.

Our GP has gone over to an online system for appointments, which is much better than the 8:30 phone lottery.
I put in an online form for symptoms which could be cancer ( but probably are not). They put me on an urgent pathway, and sent me for relevant tests really quickly, I was surprised and impressed.