5 weeks and still waiting

I was referred under the two-week-wait pathway on 4th October, and the biopsy was carried out on 24th October. I was informed that results are usually available within 2 weeks, and at most 3–4 weeks. It has now been over five weeks, and I have still not received any update or results.

During this period, I have made several attempts to follow up. I have:

• Left three messages with the consultant’s secretary

• Contacted PALS via email

• Called the pathology lab, who informed me that the results were completed and sent to the consultant on 3rd November

• Contacted my GP, who has confirmed they have not received the results either

Despite these efforts, I have received no communication, feedback, or timeframe for my results. 

Has anyone else had there results sat with the consultants and not heard anything? I work nights and barely sleeping for fear of missing a call. But can't speak to an actual person from the gynae department to get answers.

  • Hi Deelee79, 

    5 weeks is indeed a long time to be waiting for biopsy results and according to our information page on the biopsy, results usually take a couple of weeks to come through so it sounds like there have been delays in your case and I hope that you won't have to wait much longer now. You certainly did all the right things to try and chase these important results and it's very odd that the results were sent to the consultant on the 3rd of November but the GP has not received these either. It's so difficult to be left in limbo like this without any feedback or communication or any idea of timeframe. The only thing you can do really is keep chasing until you get an answer - keep trying the consultant's secretary (perhaps email them as well as ringing) as it sounds like the results have been sent to the consultant so you should not have to wait so long now. 

    As you are working nights, this is really disruptive for you and I hope that you will get some news or an update from the consultant's secretary very soon. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator