Finding a surgeon/oncologist

Hi Bob

Presumably you have been diagnosed with some form of Bowel cancer by your local hospital? Which of course, I'm sorry to hear.However, if that is so, I doubt that they would have advised you to do this research. So, perhaps a friend advised you to do so?

When I started my journey in May '19, following a diagnosis of bowel cancer, I simply went along with the treatment plan offered by my local hospital - whom I trusted to help me through all the procedures that entailed. I would imagine that all hospitals within the UK follow similar guidelines, & employ excellent surgeons/ oncologists that operate on a very similar pathway, ie; to ensure the best possible outcome for every patient given this diagnosis.

Two years on, & I am very happy at putting my trust in the excellent local team I had, that have helped me through this difficult time. You can access Surgeon's records with Operations at hospitals online - which go into how many operations they have performed/ success rates, & so forth. 

But perhaps you are looking for private healthcare, rather than NHS? Your post doesn't make that clear. Maybe, go into more detail on your own situation, & you might get more informative replies.

Wishing you all the best.

Marianne 26

Hi 

Welcome to the forum from me too! I did have a few smiles this weekend ! Some new experiences too ! All in the mix of life ! I hope you managed the same as it’s not easy when you are starting out with a new diagnosis

Interesting question ! A good resource for that is your GP they have a good finger on the pulse of how their patients have been treated .
Are you going private /NHS , just checking you are in the U.K. as I know America has a slightly different system for colorectal surgeon s . 
Major teaching hospitals in the U.K. have surgeons that are skilled at a level of surgery that has allowed them to pass their fellowship exams and be trained to a consultant level  ! Are you near a teaching hospital ? However if something is a bit more complicated there are some surgeons that are able to go further and that referral is normally carried out from one surgeon /GP to another !

There are some pretty skilled surgeons in big centre of excellence like Christie’s etc !

Forums are also a good place to get this sort of information but might need to narrow down your region that you wish to consider !

We have a helpline number 0808 808 0000 and they would be able to assist you in how it all works ! My own mum was picked up through a bowel screen ! The referral then went from one dr to another ! She had surgery on her lung and liver and both surgeons were changed at the last moment ! Both ended up great ! It’s a hard system to navigate !

I take it you have had a colonoscopy? If you are in contact with them they should be able to advise who you are being referred onto . They normally do that part ! You could always ask the staff there who they regard as the best in that field ! 

If you are concerned at any point you can ask for a second opinion! 
I personally would stick with big teaching hospitals !

Take care and again a big welcome !

Court 

Thank you both so much for replying. You're right, Marianne, I should have given more detail - I thought I would start more generally!

I was diagnosed 9 days ago during a colonoscopy. I was mildly sedated and could see everything so we had the conversation during the scope and after it. My world pretty much fell apart and I imagine everyone in this situation can relate.

I have chosen to go privately as unfortunately i had a 4 month wait for a colonoscopy on the NHS following my initial consultation. The consultant assumed piles so I tried not to worry, despite the bleeding getting heavier. A friend who is. doctor and who has also suffered with cancer said we had to advocate strongly for our own health and to do the research to find out who the 'best' surgeons/oncologists are. I imagine there is no such thing as 'best' but I guess knowledge is power and there is no harm in being armed with this information.

I'm based near London.

Thanks Court - I've read some of your other responses to posters and you are SO helpful to everyone, what an angel! A friend has contacts within UCLH which I understand is a strong teaching hospital with cancer treatment connections so may be best to start there. Just thought it worth checking in to see if anyone had recommendations (if allowed to ask!) based on their own experiences. 

Thank you again x

Yes, court is indeed amazing on this site...She has helped so many with her profound advice! (me included.)

Crikey, waiting for 4 mths. for an NHS Colonoscopy sounds outrageous. But i guess that Covid has changed the situation immeasurably, which is also dependent on regionality. I clearly remember my first Colonoscopy, which was two weeks after a GP consultation - back in April '19. I had sedation that time - & because I had no one to stay with with me....I was offered a bed at the hospital that night. I was told straight after.....but went home the next day, & was probably in shock for the next month - when everything kicked off.....& my Op. was a month later. I just received all the lettters, Appts. & went along with it all at my local hospital.

I very much hope you find the treatment that will be right for you.

Best wishes

Marianne 26

You are absolutely allowed to ask ! If you want to edit your title to add the area you want to include might get some recommendations!

You might also want to post on Bowel cancer U.K. forum ! 

I can understand from your experience you want to go private and getting good recommendations matters !

The whole process of being diagnosed must be difficult however advocating for yourself matters !

If you click on my user name you can read my mum’s story ! Sometimes you have to be thorough to get the best outcome for you !

Take care ,

Court 

Thank you both again, so much!!! It is a truly horrible time and i believe that no one fully understands who hasn't been through it. Every day is different emotionally. 

I will absolutely read your mum's story Court. You are both fab. 

Thank you! x

PS Just waiting to get my registration from the Bowel Cancer site :) 

Really touched Marianne26

No ,no one can understand those feelings - unless you are suddenly diagnosed with a diagnosis of cancer. It's like a shot out of the blue. I remember going into denial mode, shock, then when the realisation hit me...not wanting to see/ talk to friends. I really hated that surreal time....but it only lasted a month....until my surgery. Once the plan was put in place, I found it far easier - & I went along with all. & believe me, the Op. & all the other stuff, was far easier to deal with. 3 days in hospital....Came home & resumed my life very easily, with no problems. Now have CT scans every 6 mths. (always a worrying time,) but also good to be continuously looked after.

I wish you the best x

Marianne 26

Dear Bobs74,

My NHS trust has an excellent reputation and results for treating Colorectal cancer. West Hertfordshire. My surgeon is relatively young but already contributed to a surgical text book. His name is Mr Hollingshead but I gather the other Colorectal surgeons are also very good.

I have a friend who is a nurse who looked at the results for West Herts and London teaching hospitals and said West Herts was on par.

They seem to have a really good programme of surgery, chemo and recovery.

I'm very happy with the surgery, chemo and care I've received at Watford.

Good luck finding a surgeon. 

Carog