Private Biopsy?

I am really worried about my brother. He is waiting for a throat biospy and has been for a very long time. He has been very unwell and losing weight, which is a worry. He's had a throat biospy before and it was benign but the symptoms have come back much much worse. He's been waiting for so long and there seems to be no progress. He decided to go private but was told that he wouldn't be seen any sooner, as it's the same consultant he would be seeing. I just don't understand this? He has been chasing the GP and contacted all the private clinics in the area and told there is nothing they can do. I just don't understand it at all? It seems like a desperate situation, as if it is cancer it could be too late by the time he's seen, which is just what happened with my Dad's prostate cancer 20 years ago. It seems like he's doing everything he can but it just seems so wrong? There must be something that can be done? Can he go to another area? Any advice would be very gratefully received. Thank you very much. 

  • Hello there and thanks for posting

    I'm sorry to hear about your brother's situation and appreciate the worry these symptoms and the wait to have the biopsy is causing.

    It sounds like your brother has exhausted all avenues in getting the biopsy done sooner so I am not sure if anything else can be done.

    If the symptoms are worsening it is important your brother lets his GP know so they can reassess him and if possible try and contact the hospital to chase things up. It may be possible for them to look up other hospitals outside of the area waiting times but it may be a similar situation and may not speed up the time in which he can have the biopsy.

    Usually if a cancer is suspected then people are referred onto a 2 week wait where tests are arranged as quickly as possible, but even then it can be a number of weeks for the test and results to come in.

    In most cases a slight delay won't change the outcome even in the worse case scenario but do bear in mind there could be a number of reasons for these symptoms other than cancer still.

    I hope your brother is seen and knows more soon.

    All the best

    Naomi

  • Thank you very much for your prompt respone Naomi. I will tell my brother to continue to keep the GP updated. I was just surprised that he couldn't be seen any sooner privately as I assumed that if you went private you were seen very quickly. But I guess the covid backlog effects the private sector too.

    Best wishes,

    Jo