Private vs NHS

*update*
I have moved my mums CT scan forward to this Sunday. The MDT meet on a Tuesday so hopefully we’ll know more next week. 

Hi Honkey Tonk...

here is my pathway after having endoscopy in may......im more than happy with the NHS approach and timescales between appointments. I have surgery planned for 13th November. My advise is keep constant contact  with specialist nurses to push things along and be a source of information....everybodies pathway is diffrent, best wishes to your mum...

Hi HonkeyTonk, 

I just thought I'd share my experience of being diagnosed ans successfully treated for esophageal cancer last year. 

The most frustrating period was between initial endoscopy and start of treatment (chemo FLOT --> surgery --> chemo FLOT).

The initial endoscopy showed a 5 cm tumour at the junction between my stomach and oesophagus. I asked the doctor it it was malignant, and he replied that he would need the biopsy results (I had 13 biopsies in and around my tumour) to confirm, but in his opinion it was malignant. He was correct. My wife and I decided to tell no one until we had confirmation from the biopsy results 2 weeks later. 

I wish I was as organised as SCANDSA and kept a diary of events. Needless to say over the next 6 weeks I had many tests including scans and exploratory surgery (laparoscopically) to look at my tumour. It was a frustrating wait between tests, meetings and the start of treatment. I did ask if I could speed things up by having some of the tests done privately. The answer was no, and it could delay the start of my treatment if the tests were not done correctly. 

In hindsight I'm sure I was given the correct advice (not to go private), even though it was a frustrating 8 weeks.

Hi there,

My husband has private health care through his work so we are currently in cycle 2 in the private route.  For us, straight after the gastroscopy the doctor told us that there was a tumour, he had taken biopsies but was already fairly certain it was malignant.  The biopsy results came through in around a week, but we had to wait longer for one of the blood tests (testing if hubby was Her2 positive which means the tumor grows/spreads quicker).  In terms of timing it didn't really make a difference as there were plenty of other tests to happen during this time (PET-CT scan, echo amongst others) and until we had all the results we wouldn't know or start the treatment plan.

Whilst the benefit of being private means you have less delays in eg. appointment times, other than that I haven't really noticed much of a difference.  My Dad had lymhoma and we did need to wait 2 weeks for the biopsy results which seemed so long at the time, but the support and care we received through the NHS was amazing - I really couldn't praise the doctors and nurses highly enough (and not sure I can say the same with private care!).  For us one of the biggest benefits with private is that the hospital is more local to us, this just makes it easier when you're going back and forth for ongoing blood tests and clinic visits.

I think you will get a much better idea once you meet your oncologist - it's good the scan is being done sooner too.  Just shout if any questions - people here are very helpful.

Wish you all the best

After my Moms initial endoscopy we had 7 weeks of tests/meetings and more tests.  To be honest there didn't seem to be a week where we didn't have something happening.  We had considered private health care also but had so many positive stories about the NHS and the initial scan came through within a week.  It was the MD meetings that dictated the timings and I'm not sure if that would change even doing tests with private health care. Obviously areas can be different but I cannot fault the care and attention we have had and although it all seemed to drag initially before treatment the first 3 chemo cycles are done and we await the restaging scan and operation. 

I'd been seeing my GP for over 2 months with acid reflux & painful swallowing with the medication not giving any relief. I pushed for an endoscopy but he initially said I'd have to increase the medication before a referral could be made. When he finally agreed he said there would be a 6 week wait. As I had a private health scheme I did manage to have a consultation & endoscopy done within 10 days. However the biopsy results take 10 days so still waiting for those & feeling quite anxious. 

I only had to wait two weeks for the endoscopy in Edinburgh and found out within an hour that I had a tumour. That's with the NHS and after the scans I declined the treatment and had surgery only. I stalled having the surgery I was in no rush to get it, so went in October 3rd 2016. I was in for 12 days and have done well since. I hope you get sorted soon. Good luck and kind regards Frank.