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Consultant follow up waiting time - help!

Gluz
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Hi, my 38 year old daughter has had a pelvic scan ordered by a gynae consultant. Following this she has had a letter from the consultant saying there are 'changes' in her ovarian cyst and she needs a blood test (happening this week) and another appointment to discuss treatment options. The consultant was due to see her in 4 months but has brought the appointment forward - however it is still 6 weeks away (8 weeks since the scan) and she is naturally very worried. She suffers from anxiety and depression etc and my husband and I are her carers. I've looked up the 'two week rule' but this only seems to apply to new referrals to consultants. What is the position if a consultant suspects cancer and makes her/his own follow-up appointment? I hope someone can help! I don't feel 6 weeks is acceptable. I have a history of early breast cancer but no other family history that I know of. Thank you.

  • Hello, and thank you for posting, and I am sorry you are having these concerns. 

    Consultants do have the option to upgrade a patient seen routinely if cancer is suspected. This means that if cancer is diagnosed the patient should receive their first treatment within 62 days of  the upgrade. This is the same timeframe as patients referred urgently by their GP.  But we know that cancer waiting lists are being stretched a bit at the moment due to capacity issues in the NHS so the 62 day target isn't always being met. Maybe you could contact the outpatient unit and see if they have any cancellations to bring the appointment forward.

    I have placed here more information on waiting times if useful. 

    The gynaecologist team have reported there have been changes with an existing ovarian cyst that your daughter has, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is cancer.  There are several different types of ovarian cyst and sometimes they can grow so an operation is needed to remove them but they still may be benign (non cancerous).

    It would be good for you to mention you own history of breast cancer to your daughters gynaecologist. Breast and ovarian cancers are linked because they can both be caused by specific inheritable faults on 2 genes (BRCA 1 and 2)  but these are actually very rare, so unlikely. Most breast and ovarian cancer occur randomly because of genetic damage that has accumulated over the years.talking this through may help you understand if this is anything you should be concerned about.

    Take care, and if you want to talk anything through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Yours sincerely,

    Sarah.

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Sarah

    Thank you so much for your very full and helpful reply. I feel better informed and your response has helped by reassuring me that this may not be a worst-case scenario. I'm really glad I posted my question. I think this is an excellent forum and I'm going to recommend it to a friend of mine who is having problems.

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