Hi Kmorri and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to hear about your situation and appreciate how difficult it is waiting to hear your 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 finding 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 their results.

It is not necessarily true that only bad results are given face-to face. Different consultants or departments may have varying approaches to sharing results.

Most consultants prefer not to disclose results over the phone or by mail, most of them opt for face-to-face communication, regardless of whether the news is good or bad. 

It is reassuring that your ultrasound did not show any masses or tumours, and your consultant had already mentioned conditions such as adenomyosis or endometriosis as possible explanations for your symptoms.

Even benign conditions require a face–to–face appointment to discuss treatment options, answer questions, or talk you through the next steps.

Scanxiety is very real, and many people find the waiting for their results  harder than the tests themselves.

If you feel your anxiety is becoming overwhelming, we often recommend visiting the NHS Every Mind Matters website or Anxiety UK for tips on how to cope while you wait for more information.

If you have not already done so, you may find it helpful to seek advice and voice your concerns to the hospital's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.

It might help to talk things through with one of our nurses on the helpline. You can call for free on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

I hope you know more soon and everything is ok.

Kind regards,

Tina

thank you for your reply and listening to my long old rant! 

yes i did think it would be a face to face originally! however after my mri his secretary made it very clear to me he only sends out letters with results and then if there’s a follow up needed he’ll send that appointment out with it. 

when i asked her about this, she did say this was unusual for him, and that he’s asked for the report not to be sent to me before the appointment. 

now if it’s a adenomyosis and endometriosis, which is what he knows we were expecting, and had already discussed treatment option for this which would be given at my gp then why do i need a face to face. why would i not be allowed my own results before then? 

6 weeks for something possibly benign seems inhumane and unreasonable knowing i’m obviously worried about cancer as that’s the pathway i was put on. 

unforutusntly pals said i would need a sar request which will take longer 

thank you for your reply and listening to my long old rant! 

yes i did think it would be a face to face originally! however after my mri his secretary made it very clear to me he only sends out letters with results and then if there’s a follow up needed he’ll send that appointment out with it. 

when i asked her about this, she did say this was unusual for him, and that he’s asked for the report not to be sent to me before the appointment. 

now if it’s a adenomyosis and endometriosis, which is what he knows we were expecting, and had already discussed treatment option for this which would be given at my gp then why do i need a face to face. why would i not be allowed my own results before then? 

6 weeks for something possibly benign seems inhumane and unreasonable knowing i’m obviously worried about cancer as that’s the pathway i was put on. 

unforutusntly pals said i would need a sar request which will take longer