Suspected cancer referral

Patient Information Leaflet

Why have I been referred urgently to hospital?

You’ve been referred urgently because your GP feels your symptoms need further investigation. There are many common conditions that these symptoms could be linked to, including cancer, however, most people who have an urgent referral do not have cancer.

In the event that cancer is diagnosed, then ensuring that the diagnosis is made early means treatment is likely to be more effective. This is why it is important that you are seen urgently.
This referral is urgent and as a result, you will be offered a telephone or face-to-face appointment with your hospital in the next 14 days.

You may need to be available for further tests over the next four weeks to receive a diagnosis quickly. Please make sure that you are available during this time.

What does your GP need to know? 

• Make sure your GP has your correct address and telephone number including a mobile number if you have one, as the hospital may contact you by telephone.
• If you are unable to attend appointments within the next four weeks, please tell your GP. If you need a translator, have access needs, or would like a woman consultant, please let the hospital know in advance of your appointment. If no women consultants are available in the team you have been referred to, we will ensure a female chaperone is available.
• If you have not received an appointment from the hospital within two weeks, please contact your GP practice. Alternatively, if you know the hospital where you have been referred, you can contact their Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) department or the Rapid access department number below. If you have a mobile phone number registered with us, you will receive a text message when your referral has been received.

What will happen next?

The hospital will contact you to arrange an appointment. Your initial appointment with the hospital may be a telephone call with a nurse specialist. The nurse specialist will find out more about your symptoms. Alternatively, you may have a face-to-face appointment with a specialist.

Please note: You must notify the clinician if you intend to record the call or include a friend or family member on the call.
The hospital will send you instructions about your in-person
appointments or the tests that you are likely to have on the day you attend the hospital. Please check these instructions carefully for up-to-date advice about preparing for your appointment.

Once you have agreed your date with the hospital, it is very important that you attend. Please call the number on your confirmation letter to let the hospital know immediately if you are unable to keep your appointment.

What will happen at the hospital?

When you have your hospital appointment, you will usually see a specialist or have a diagnostic test. You will be told in advance if you need to have any tests during your appointment, so please ensure you follow any instructions given to you in advance.

Be prepared that these appointments may take a few hours depending on waiting times and which tests you need. You will be contacted about the outcome of the tests within 28 days of your referral, but you may be told the outcome of your tests on the day. You may want to bring a friend or family member with you for support or if you have concerns about understanding what the medical team will discuss with you.

Depending on your results, you will be given an appointment to see a specialist to discuss the results or you may receive a letter if you do not need to be seen again.

If you do not have a cancer but your symptoms persist you will need to see your GP.

Any questions?

If you have any concerns or questions about your referral to hospital, please call your GP surgery to speak to the person who referred you. If your symptoms get worse before your appointment or continue after cancer has been ruled out, please contact your GP.

Who to contact?

You can contact the rapid access booking team to cancel, change or reschedule your appointment on 01384 456111, extension 2756, 4407, 3544 or 4243.

Cancer Navigators to ask about investigations, chasing results and any queries about medications you are taking and investigations you are having. Anything to do with your case.
Useful links for further information: www.cancerresearchuk.org

Originator: Tracy Beese. Review date: January 2027. Version: 1. DGH ref: DGH/PIL/02196