To sum up:
First hurdle is getting a GP appt. That depends on individual surgeries.
Second: most cancers can present very differently. For some, it is immediately obvious that there is something serious going on. For others, the cancer can be hidden or the symptoms seem to suggest a different/minor problem. A process of elimination may be needed. ( in my case, I had a series of minor and varied symptoms, most of which I dismissed as too minor to trouble my GP. But, eventually something became troubling and the wonderful GP went into overdrive. She was magnificent. Two weeks of blood tests , ultrasound at surgery, put on emergency pathway and saw an oncologist and cardiologist within 10 days, armed with MRI and CT scans. Surgery within two weeks then chemo.
similarly , a friend had stage 4 breast cancer. The cancer did not show up on a mammogram which she had had 3 months earlier ( even the consultant could not feel it as it was so deep in her breast) but because of a seemingly unrelated blood test. The day after the blood test she had a call from a very stern oncologist Secretary that she had to see the oncologist that day and would not no for an answer...they almost had a shouting match til I chucked my friend in the car. She started treatment later that day.
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Third: it does seem to depend on where in the UK you live and the individual health trusts.
Fourth: I have private health care but chose not to use is as , for me, the NHS was so quick and efficient ( am saving the private care for a knee op!)
Five: obviously the King would have private health care and access to the best treatment, surgeons and oncologists. He will be paying for it.
More importantly how could he be treated in an NHS hospital? There would be a real need for security in and around the hospital,and it wouldn't be just a case of hang onto his wheelchair. The Press outside would be a nightmare to control, block up access to A&E, other entrances, car parks, etc, making it a nightmare for patients, staff, and police.
A private hospital, used to treating VIP patients, would have procedures in place to coordinate with security and policing protocols. And, most private hospitals are quite small; much easier to deal with than a sprawling NHS hospital with multiple car parks, multiple entrances with little or no security, and thousands of staff and patients. Does anyone really want the Press roaming the corridors and wards, waylaying patients and staff, trying to get that 'oh, so important' picture that would sell for hundreds of thousands?
Six : I feel so lucky that I live in an area that ,for cancer, at least, I can get swift treatment. Am so sorry for those that are struggling, as, nowadays, many cancers can be successfully treated and others managed.
sorry this is so long.