HI Poppy.

Been there, done that, and got the tee-shirt!

At one time, doctors in the UK weren't very good at referring patients for illnesses that later turned out to be cancer. They'd either not refer, or refer late, and then there'd be a delay to see the consultant.  That changed with the two week pathways.  Each speciality drew up a list of symptoms which require immediate referral within two weeks.  These symptoms were deliberately set very broadly so that most cancers could be caught early and very few cancers ever got missed, but at the price of far more people going through the system who don't have cancer than do.  

Please DO NOT be alarmed that you're on a cancer pathway. It really does NOT mean that you have cancer, because 90% of people on these pathways turn out NOT to have cancer.  And for most of the rest, a cancer is caught very early when it's still relatively easy to treat. 

Last year, I had (and still have) a persistent sore throat. My GP wasn't happy and referred me to ENT on a two week cancer referral.  Like you, I had the camera up the nose and down the throat.  Afterwards the consultant said I needed an MRI scan.  I had the MRI scan, which came back clear, but my consultant still wasn't happy and I had a "panendoscopy with biopsies" under general anaesthetic a couple of weeks later. That also came back clear.  

I have friends who have reported a similar thing.  It appears that ENT referrals put a lot of people on this conveyor belt and most of them come out clear.  So being on the conveyor belt should be no cause for alarm. 

Funnily enough, I recall the nurse asking the consultant whether the panendoscopy was routine or urgent, and being told it was urgent.  I was pleased since it meant I wouldn't be waiting around for weeks for it.

My advice is to try to keep calm, and to go with the flow; and remember you don't have cancer until ALL the test results are in. Until then, work on the assumption that you're fine. 

Hey, thank you!

its really good to hear from someone who can relate and your words have been reassuring and the kick up the bum i needed. i should only worry about what i need to and you're right, i dont have anything to worry about at this point.

I also didnt think of it like that, i am pleased im being seen quickly, so i shall take that positive too!

i am sorry to hear you are stil having symptoms, but relieved that it was nothing sinister.

thank you again for replying and giving me something to think about

all the best x

Glad to help. It's why we're here!