Urgent referral for suspected cancer (gross Haematuria)

Hi  JaneFreya

Thanks for getting in touch with us. My name is Tricia and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

I am sorry to hear you have been having some problems with blood in the urine and have been referred for possible investigations. Waiting for tests and results  can be a worrying time so it is understandable that you are feeling anxious.

It sounds like you have done the right thing being seen by the GP and A&E as anything like blood in the urine should be reviewed by a medical professional. There is normally a referral to a bladder specialist so that you can be seen to investigate further regarding whether the bleeding could be due to cancer or something else.  Your suspected cancer referral allows you to be seen more quickly to get any investigations underway. Many people on this urgent pathway won’t have cancer but if there is a cancer it is always best to find it at an early stage to get treatment underway. Some cancers may have been there for some time in which case a delay of a couple of weeks may not be significant.  It is good that you have that date in place and as you say it might be you get a cancellation in meantime.

Some hospitals will have a  blood in the urine (haematuria) clinic or one stop department where they can investigate you straight away. These may be blood tests, urine tests and possible scans. You are likely to need to  have a flexible cystoscopy where they can look into your bladder with a camera. These tests usually are carried out in an outpatient setting and you should be ok to drive home. Some people prefer to take someone with them for support.

Do take care of yourself as the waiting for consultations and tests is always difficult and I hope you can find a way to  ease worry when waiting for medical tests and results

I hope this has been of some help to you today. Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch at any time.

Sending best wishes,

Tricia
Macmillan Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref TT/HK

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly Tricia

I presume by the comment “ Some cancers may have been there for some time in which case a delay of a couple of weeks may not be significant. “ you mean they are likely to be slow developing cancers.

I have been advised by my GP I maybe better waiting for an appointment on 16th March at a local hospital and they are checking for any cancellations there for me

So

Hi Jane,

My name is Liz and I’m one of the Macmillan cancer information nurse specialists on the Macmillan Support Line and a colleague of Tricia’s.

Thank you for reaching out to us for support and information about the blood in your urine.

Until you have further investigations, it is impossible for anyone to know the cause of your haematuria (blood in the urine). Further investigations will allow the urology team to assess if you have bladder cancer and also determine its stage and grade.

Waiting for an appointment with a specialist is a difficult time and whether you go to Sunderland on the 8^th or somewhere closer on the 16^th March is really your choice based on accessibility, practicalities and advice from your GP. Your GP is ideally placed to advise you as they know more about local urology services and the specifics of your case.

I hope this information has been helpful, please contact us whenever we can help.  

Take care.

Liz

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. Ref LZD/RC