Consultants letter, scared, help me interpret?

[Worriedkat]

I had an thyroid ultrasound a fortnight ago, no symptoms but have had a controlled underactive thyroid for about 20 years (am 38). The radiologist doctor seemed excellent, she said there was a 8mm nodule but no action was taken unless nodules were >1cm, so all ok.

Then, my GP refers me anyway to get a biopsy. The consultant wrote back and I have a copy. It says that I am not eligible under the 2 week wait priority system as I dont have enlarged lymph nodes (and a few other criteria). Then it goes on to say, quote

"Generally our waiting times for appointments is short and patients referred in [the longer wait] manner are seen within a few weeks. You [GP] can strongly reassure the patient as the long term prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer is fantastic. The survival rate of all patients at 35 years of age after diagnosis with Stage 1 or Stage 2 cancer is 100%. I would be very grateful if you agree for this patient to be seen through a routine clinic rather than a 2 week wait slot".

Jeez. Is this consultant speak and worded badly? He talks as if its a foregone conclusion.

Bloody hell....

That's good, non?

No it means that if it was cancer it wouldn't matter waiting over two weeks as they have great survival rates. And that they generally see people quickly anyway.

Definitely means IF it were cancer, because that'a what the biopsy will be looking for, and they're explaining why the biopsy isn't urgent.

Your doctor referred you as a "2 week wait" which is the government set target for seeing any patient with suspected cancer.
The consultant is telling the GP that he should not have used the 2ww for you because there is not enough evidence to suspect cancer.

See, I'm reading it as they think it could be cancer but don't worry cos it's slow growing and treatment yields good success rates, so no rush for treatment.

Is my thinking coming from the wrong angle?

Who can blame you for reading that and being worried? I can see their reasoning, but it's not exactly reassuring for people even when it's pointed out that that is why you are having a biopsy.

He's telling the GP that the two-week referral scheme is inappropriate for an 8mm nodule because a) you don't have sufficient symptoms of cancer to indicate that you probably have cancer b) even if you did, that type of cancer rate has a 100% survival rate at 35 years, so no need to panic and c) because of b, two weeks or two months is neither here nor there.

It's a very good letter. Not one to worry about. The other thing to remember is that thyroids are replaceable with medication. A nodule on a thyroid can be dealt with by removing it.

I think they have forgotten a sentence in the middle:

In the unlikely event that this is papillary thyroid cancer...

It is badly worded. I am sorry you are going through this scare. I hope the outcome is as positive as the consultant believes.