Waiting time

Hello Blossom 04 , you seem to be in the same position as myself. I started my cancer journey in January  although  I had a BCC removed last summer ,an actual recurrance.  Since the pet scan it was confirmed I had two  definate cancers and one doubtful  I have just had a lung Biopsy  and waiting for  the results . So for me I have been waiting to start any treatment for 18 weeks on Monday 20th May which is the same amount of time as for a none cancer  treatment .   What worries me is at the end of this time they may decide  not to treat  because all these tests are merely to determine that it is cancer , the time spent to determine treatment  could be vital time  used to treat someone who can undergo treatment faster. for me the initial Xray was because  I had pain that could have been any number of things including what we suspected muscle pain from new tablets prescribed . However it was not  according to letters sent and consultations with myself and granddaughter. I appreciate how you feel  but realise cancer targets are not even reaching the deadline are they?  .I truelly hope you  get your surgery soon . Hope my case gives you hope. There are no hard and fast rules on cancer times now  either.  Every best wish for speedy treatment .

I was referred the 8th Feb after a shadow on an xray. I'm having surgery 4th June. Sadly I think the pathway dates are rarely met.  We are lucky to have the NHS but it really cannot cope

Hello Kk123, have to agree  I think  the NHS  does very well but it is now bogged down for a number of reasons . At least you are  on the way to decided  treatment but its still a few months away, yet . Best wishes.

Hi, just to say those pathway targets of 62 days are few and far between. My wait from diagnosis to beginning of treatment was 95 days. I had my first abnormal X-ray on the 22 August 2023 - subsequent investigations to determine what kind of lung cancer I had to start of  treatment began on the 21 November 2023.

I am in Wales, the worst cancer wait times in the UK.  Also, when I eventually started treatment I had to travel to Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Liverpool because my local Welsh Cancer Centre did not have the facilities to carry out my treatment. I had to travel 50 miles there and 50 miles back every other day for three weeks. Even if I had opted for a lobectomy, which I didn't just SABR radiotherapy, I would have had to travel to Liverpool for the thoracic surgery as specialist thoracic surgeons don't appear to exist in Wales, at least not in North Wales.

Cancer treatment in itself has come along in leaps and bounds and life expectancy is longer, however, it is the wait times for diagnosis and treatment that falls short nowadays. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990, and from going to see my GP the next day after finding a breast lump (plentiful GP appointments in those days), seeing a breast cancer specialist and subsequent surgery totalled 28 days, what a difference to today!

Good luck, and hopefully you get your treatment sorted sooner rather than later.

Hi again  you are right  62 days is not  a realistic target in many areas these days, one its difficult to get a GP appointment,  two hospital waiting times, three the nearest treatment centre  as you say. I have one of the best cancer centres in the country but even they are struggling to meet such targets. I wondered if having centres just for diagnostics might help. Last year  I had a BCC removed  but as it is low level spread I went to a dermatologist followed  by plastic surgery which speeded up the process to around four months. But had to go out of town  for treatment. Some of us are not able to travel  the distance you did, so sorry you were not offered a  patient transport service for such a serious illness treatment.  You mentioned Liverpool  they have a very good  research centre  for cancer I believe.  The doctor who treated my husband was from there but he was terminal by time found. Everyone is different and I suppose we should appreciate that we do have a free treatment system. How are you feeling now you are further into treatment  has it helped? While I am waiting for my biopsy result will be thinking of you and hoping you are recovering well. Good luck & best wishes for the future

Hi, yes thank you I am well, my treatment was positive and the cancer, although small at 2.5cm, has shrunk by 50%. The SABR radiotherapy, as in normal radiotherapy, takes about six to 12 months for the cancer cells to die off completely. I was fatigued for awhile with the usual side effects, i.e. loss of appetite, pain in the area treated, and generally overall feeling rubbish. Some of the late onset side effects have kicked in over the last few weeks, sore and tender ribs on the treated side and a bit of a weak arm with pins and needles in my hand which is temporary nerve damage in the brachial plexus. But all these are manageable and I just get on with my day.

Because my treatment was positive and the cancer is shrinking, I only have to have six monthly check-ups, which is reassuring.

I did have hospital transport, although it is a fantastic scheme it takes all day because other people around a large area are picked up also and taken to different hospitals. For instance, I would be picked up, then travel miles to another area to pick up another patient, then the same again for another patient, then the same bringing us home. Most days were 6 to 7 hours long, which is tiring in itself when having treatment.

I am a born and bred Liverpudlian and have lived here in North Wales for nearly six years. I have a lot of family in Liverpool and I had their company on some of my treatment days, which helped a lot. Yes, Liverpool have excellent cancer centres dedicated to specific cancers, i.e. Lung (Clatterbridge and the Roy Castle Cancer Centre. Also, there is the Linda McCartney Cancer Centre for breast cancer where I was treated for breast cancer back in 1990.

You mentioned your basal cell carcinoma - i'm well versed in all skin cancers as I am a retired medical secretary and worked with consultant plastic surgeons in Liverpool for over ten years, I retired 8 year's ago. 

Good luck and my very best wishes on your results and forthcoming treatment.