Diagnosis/scans speed private/nhs

Hi

I feel for you. Things sound hectic for you at the moment without having to wonder if it's a tumour or something else that's benign. If there is any suspicion of it being cancer, I expect/hope that it would be on the urgent list for a CT scan. I'd suggest asking about this. Also did they biopsy the lump they saw?  The CT scan will just say there's something there and the possible size/position of it but not what it is - from my understanding so might be wrong. I'd suggest calling up whoever is dealing with the referrals to CT scan, etc. And I'm assuming to the department that deals with oesophageal/gastric issues and just make sure all the referrals have been made as they should.  If you get no joy, your GP would hopefully be able to help.

Another option is just going private. I started off with endoscopy with biopsy with the NHS. After the endoscopy when I came out of sedation they were clear that they thought it was a tumour.  The CT scan happened less than a week later. I then opted to go private it was a seamless transition as my surgeon works in private practice as well as in the NHS. So the nurse just referred to him on my behalf. 

Speed is all important if it is cancer which I'm really hoping it isn't. I really hoping it's benign whatever it is.

Let us know how you get on. 

Take care

Unfortunately he did ask for it to be within a week but was slow referring me, Ive chased hard though and have a scan tomorrow, more concerned how long radiography will take to send back results. Not insured so private only diagnostic at this stage to speed things up.

If they find something they think is/might be cancer then they should rush the reports. 

Like I say hopefully it's not a tumour but just as a heads up there would need to be further testing  which could be costly.

I really hope you're not on this journey.  Regardless, you'll find support here. 

Take care

Hi,

Hopefully the symptoms you are experiencing are not what you fear but you are clearly sufficiently concerned to have made your way to this website (hopefully not via Google - a mistake that I made). When I went to my GP with swallowing difficulties in October 2023, he immediately referred me for an endoscopy but warned me that, even red flagged, this could take a few weeks to arrange. I decided to arrange things privately, saw a consultant five days later and had an endoscopy and CT scan two days after that. The results were back 5 days later confirming my cancer diagnosis. After that, all of my subsequent treatment was on the NHS and things moved on fairly swiftly after that. I feel that going privately initially got my ball rolling a bit quicker than might otherwise have happened and before I got to the stage where swallowing became even more difficult than it already was. If so, it was money well spent in my opinion. Hopefully you will get your CT results back quickly and they will indicate a more benign reason for your symptoms. Good luck CB