Urgent referral

FormerMember
FormerMember
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New here! Had a routine dental appointment and was asked if I’d bitten my tongue.. I’d noticed nothing but have quite a large area on the side of my tongue which just looks weird. Like a couple of long narrow lumps but no ulcer that I can see. Dentist said she thinks it’s trauma but it’s not changing and I have no idea how long it’s been there. I stupidly panic googled and now have massive anxiety it’s cancer that’s been there for ages and will have spread. Dentist said she would do an urgent referral to the dental hospital; it’s 2 weeks and I’ve heard absolutely nothing. 

  • Hi  hopefully your dentist is being super careful. There has been a lot of publicity surrounding the poor referral rate. 
    Ask the dentist who you have been referred to ( there will be a nominated consultant rather than a department) Ring their secretary to hurry things along  

    90% of referrals are not cancer  

    Finally, leave Google alone  you’ve already found the anxiety it causes, especially as you have t a clue what you are actually searching for  

    Fingers crossed  

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • Hi

    Your dentist is being sensible, urgent referrals are a double edged sword, might be something ...could well be nothing.

    ENT will resolve the issue.....Google is of no help at this time.

    Take care and good luck

    Peter

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Beesuit

    Thank you for your swift reply! I don’t know anything other than my dentist referred me to the dental hospital - no names, nothing. So I have no-one to contact..

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Peter E

    Thank you - I’m trying to stay off Google! It’s not an ENT referral though. Just the dental hospital, I have no other info.

  • Hi 

    Sorry ....I missed that....

    Usually ENT for suspect lumps and bumps....but your dentist is obviously going through a tried and tested route...

    Peter

  • Hi As  others have said please leave Google alone. Contact your dentist to see who the referral was to then ring to chase the appointment . Also over 90% of referrals are not cancer. Theres a big awareness at the moment with regard to Dentist doing thorough checks .if you’re un lucky enough to join us remember head and neck cancers do have an excellent cure  rate lots of us on here living proof I’m 6 years since my referral still alive and kicking. 

    Chase the appointment keep off Google reminder. 

    Hazel x

    Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz 

    My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com  HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now  6 years  post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help

    2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers 

    https://www.instagram.com/merckhealthcare/reel/DBs8Y0niJ8N/

  • I don’t know anything other than my dentist referred me

    Yes. Thats why I suggest you contact your dentist to find out who she has referred you to. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Beesuit

    Sorry I wasn’t clear - the dentist has just made a referral to the dental hospital, definitely not to a named person. Head and neck cancers in this area are dealt with at a different hospital. It must be different in other areas. Sadly our local hospitals trust was rated “needs improvement”. 

  • Ok. Phone the dental hospital and chase up your referral. Ask your dentist why she has referred you. Does she suspect it might be cancer? If he does the dental hospital is the wrong place. Sadly referrals are getting lost. I’m recommending everyone who hasn’t heard in two weeks to chase it up. My referral went astray and was downgraded to non urgent by some ruddy clerk! 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Beesuit

    The dentist said she doesn’t think it’s cancer but would refer on the 2 week wait (which I now find isn’t a thing any more) because of where it is. Someone else in this area had an initial referral to the dental hospital so it is how it is dealt with here. I will try ringing either the dentist herself or the dental hospital tomorrow.