I posted this in the pre-diagnosis forum also, but wondered if this may be a better place to ask. I went to the doctor 2 weeks ago as I saw blood in my stools - bright red streaks sometimes on the paper and sometimes in the stools like a ripple. The faecal test showed it was blood so my GP referred me fast track for suspected bowel cancer. I still have not got an appointment through in the post (so they are going beyond the two week window). I called the colorectal secretary at my local hospital and she said there is a backlog, but the usual route would be that I would have an appointment with a colorectal nurse (once I get the appointment!) and they would then decide whether I should have a colonoscopy or something else. Given that I haven't got an appointment yet and given the NHS backlog, I am really worried that I will have to wait a long time before even getting a diagnosis or understanding what is causing the bleeding. This is such a worrying time as we are constantly told with cancer time is of the essence.
However, my mother-in-law has offered to pay to go private, but I have seen how expensive that is. If I had a consultation and, say a colonsocopy and 'if' the suggestion was that it was probably a tumour/cancer - I don't think my mother in law could stretch to anything further on private. In that case, does anyone know: could I then have treatment on the NHS and would it make a difference timewise (would there be a delay getting back into the NHS). I just don't know what to do - whether to wait for my NHS appointment or gt a consultation privately. Any advice would be most welcome!!
