Two week screening

Hi I’m new to this. I have been in the menopause for seven years and on HRT. Last week I had a ‘period’ although I know it wasn’t a period as such. I rang the out of hours doc and next day went to the GP and have been given a two week referral for next week. The letter has frightened me with the suspected ‘cancer’ words on it. I understand that this is a precaution but I am terrified. Had this happened to anyone else and please tell me there are alternatives to it being cancer. I am scared 

  • Hi Bobbler09, 

    Welcome to the forum and I'm sorry to hear that you're dealing with a health concern at the moment. 

    It's sensible of your GP to refer you for a specialist opinion and I know lots of our members here will have felt scared at the prospect of an urgent referral. It's a natural response to be worried about what may be causing your symptoms. 

    There are reasons other than cancer for post menopausal bleeding and you can read more about that on the NHS website here. If you'd like to talk things through with our team of nurses then I'm sure they'd be able to offer you some support and advice. You can call them on 0808 800 4040 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). 

    Do let us know how you get on at your appointment. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

  • Hi - yes I got one of those for PMB and the letter scared me too, couldn't do anything for the rest of the day, but reading up on it there seemed to be so many possible causes, most of them not cancer,  so seemed hopeful as it was only one episode, so I calmed down after a day or so. 

    However, my problem is that our area has long queues, and I have only just got my  specialist appointment through, so my state of panic had set in again and is getting worse as time goes by and they send  letters referring to cancer.  So cruel to send these  out then make you wait 2 months.  I spent today feeling sick - I felt fine before I got referred!   The communciation does leave a lot to be desired, problem is, the people writing it are used to it and don't realise the impact.

    I am hoping I will look back on this when its over and all will be OK,  so  I hope all goes well for you at your appointment, as they say, most - 90% - referrals have other causes,  so I have my fingers crossed X

  • Hopefully everything will be ok for us both. Let me know how things are for you. I have my positive head on until I know different 

    lots of love 

  • I have had lots of meals out to take my mind off it, I'm sure the extra food wine and beer isn't as intended by the NHS as I usually eat quite healthily!