Hi KHO and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to hear about your partner’s situation and appreciate how difficult it is waiting for results.

NHS England has introduced a new target called the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS). The target is that you should not wait more than 28 days from referral to find out whether you have cancer or not. This is part of a wider NHS England plan to focus more on the speed that someone gets their results and diagnosis. However, hospitals are struggling to meet cancer waiting targets due to staff shortages and the impact of winter pressures on the NHS. Unfortunately, we do hear about people waiting longer for biopsy results.

Most hospital specialists only have one clinic per week, so your partner has most likely been scheduled for the next clinic after the histopathologist examines the biopsy.

I know waiting for results can be stressful but hopefully you’ll know more soon.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things 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.

Kind regards,

Tina