Would the NHS send a letter diagnosing cancer?

[em2001ily]

So if tests were done and the test results indicated that cancer is likely present, would the NHS letter actually state that, or would it just say 'make an appointment'?

I am asking this on behalf of a friend.

Thank you.

I don’t think this is necessarily the case. I have very recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and my appointment took a long time to come through, it also was a letter, not a phone call. Hope you get a positive result!

@aodirjjd I hope you're doing better.

Prior to your diagnosis appointment, did you receive a letter asking you to 'bring someone with you'? That's what a few people have mentioned on this thread.

Sorry to hear that, wishing you all the best. How long did it take for you appointment to come through? Was that after screening or tests after presenting with symptoms? Let us all know how you get on, if you feel able.

I don't personally have any health issues; I started this thread because a friend of mine had a cancer scare, but fortunately she came back with clear results.

We got a devastating diagnosis for DD, because it was included in a list of diagnoses at the top of a clinic summary letter for the GP. It was in medical terminology, and the average person would never have heard of it. We had no opportunity to ask any questions about what it meant, timescales, prognosis, etc for months.

We also got news of a pathogenic genetic mutation, running in the family, without any genetic counselling. I wanted a divorce for about three months, because I was so shocked we were descended from the same person, the only one known to have the spontaneous mutation.

@BlueandWhitePorcelain We got a devastating diagnosis for DD, because it was included in a list of diagnoses at the top of a clinic summary letter for the GP.

How did you come to see the GP's clinic summary letter? Should that not have been away from public view?

I'm sorry that happened.

They are copied to parents.

I didn't know this. I'm sending you all the best. x

I’m guessing everywhere is different, I’d personally prefer a phone-call to digest it then an appt so I can ask the appropriate questions.

I had my ultrasound & biopsy last Thursday and got told my appt would be the 16th and to bring someone with me. I’m instantly thinking the worse now due to the way it was said and this wait is agonising :(

especially if it isn’t bad news then I’d of spent 2 weeks whittling and making myself poorly for no reason at all when I should of spent it enjoying the time with my 7 month old little girl.

everyone has their own preference and I think you should be asked that when discussing results.

My son was already an inpatient when we found out he had cancer. We were warned it could be 'something sinister' (I was the one who said ''Do you mean it could be cancer?'') but after his surgery (the cancer caused a bowel obstruction so they had to resect it rather than just biopsy it), the surgeon was confident it was something else and ruled out cancer.

A week later, all of his test results came back and when most of his results were back, they were pretty sure it was leaning towards cancer but they decided not to tell us that they were suspecting cancer and waited until all the test results were back and it was confirmed. I really wish they had told us that it was something they suspected again because as far as we were concerned, it had been ruled out.

So at about half 10 at night, we were pulled into a side room and told that he did have cancer. We were told immediately that it was non hodgkins lymphoma and we were just blown away due to the surgeon saying it wasn't cancer. He did later apologise to us and said it didn't present typically, apparently it didn't look like cancer usually does at all.

We were asked if we wanted to meet the oncologist that night or if we wanted to wait and we asked to meet with her immediately because we had so many questions. He was still in intensive care at that point and I was concerned that he wasn't stable enough for chemotherapy (I was right).

Everything else about his care was top class but I don't think the way they went about telling us was ideal.

6 months in remission now which is ultimately the only thing that matters.

@Longtobe2023 I had my ultrasound & biopsy last Thursday and got told my appt would be the 16th and to bring someone with me. I’m instantly thinking the worse now due to the way it was said and this wait is agonising :(

I know waiting is horrible. Crossing my fingers for you.

Having gone through this several times recently with various family members. I can tell you that how you are told varies but its not usually spelled out in a letter first.

Once one person received a phone call from an admin/reception person inviting them to come in for an appointment which was two week rule. The GP hadn’t mentioned cancer. This was following a chest X Ray after a cough but they weren’t told what the X Ray was for or what the appointment was for. Some people are told its possibly cancer by the GP or hospital specialist face to face but this doesn't always happen.