Hi Mobs and thank you for your chat.

I am sorry to learn of your husband’s recent diagnosis. I am sure by the time you read this post you will have seen his hospital specialist and have a treatment plan.

NHS England states that it should be no more than 2 months (62 days) wait between the date the hospital receives an urgent suspected cancer referral and the start of treatment and no more than 31 days wait between the meeting at which you and your doctor agree the treatment plan and the start of treatment. However hospitals are struggling to meet cancer waiting targets due to staff shortages and the impact of winter pressures on the NHS.

Any treatment plan is discussed during a multidisciplinary team meeting, (MDT) taking into account the cancer's grade and stage. 

In the majority of cases chemotherapy is given before radiotherapy because chemotherapy treats the whole body. Therefore reducing the risk of the cancer spreading to other areas of the body.

 I hope by the time you read this post, you will have seen his hospital specialist and will have a treatment plan and start date, which I hope brings you some reassurance.

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