Cancer tests and waiting for results

If you have symptoms that are ongoing, unexplained or unusual for you, you usually need tests to find out what is causing them.

Some diagnostic tests that check for cancer can be arranged by your GP. Your GP is a local doctor who treats general medical conditions. Cancer tests can also be arranged by a specialist doctor at the hospital.

If you go to your GP with symptoms, they will examine you and ask questions to find out more. If you have certain types of symptoms, there are guidelines that help your GP decide what to do next. These guidelines explain:

• what tests the GP should arrange
• when the GP should arrange for you to meet a specialist doctor
• how quickly you should meet a specialist doctor.

If your GP thinks your symptoms could be caused by cancer, they will refer you to a specialist doctor. This will be a doctor who diagnoses and treats the type of cancer that could be causing your symptoms.

Going for tests or waiting to meet a specialist can be a worrying time. People often feel anxious while they are waiting to find out more. It is important to remember that symptoms do not usually mean you have cancer. But you may still need treatment.

If you need support while waiting for tests, or just want someone to talk to, call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00.

Here are some questions you could ask your GP:

• Why are you referring me to a specialist?
• Are they a cancer specialist?
• When will I meet them? Is this an urgent referral or a non-urgent referral? Are you referring me as urgent or non-urgent?
• When and where will I have the tests?
• What are the tests for and what will they involve?
• Who will give me the results and when?

If you are pregnant, or think you might be, tell your doctor. Tests to diagnose cancer can usually be done without harming a developing baby. Your doctor needs to know so they can plan your tests as safely as possible.

Your healthcare team will explain what will happen at each test, and if you need to prepare for it. They will explain what the test is for and the possible benefits and risks of having it. They may give you a letter or leaflet with information about this. They should give you the information in a language and format that you can use, and make sure that you understand.

If you have questions about the test, it is okay to ask. It is important that you understand what it involves. If it helps, write down your questions before any appointment and take them with you to ask.

If something might make having the test difficult for you, tell your healthcare team. They may be able to help. If you have a disability, your healthcare team should make any changes you need.

If you would like someone to come with you to appointments, you can ask if this is possible. Check if they can come with you when you have the test. It is often useful having someone who knows you well to help and support you.

Some tests can be uncomfortable, but the staff will make you feel as comfortable as possible. Tell them if you have any discomfort during the test.

You can use our diagnostic tests A-Z to find out more about different cancer tests and scans.

We also have easy read information about having:

• a biopsy
• a colonoscopy
• a CT scan
• an endoscopy
• an MRI scan
• an ultrasound
• an x-ray
• examinations and blood tests.

We want everyone affected by cancer to feel our information is written for them.

We want our information to be as clear as possible. To do this, we try to:

• use plain English
• explain medical words
• use short sentences
• use illustrations to explain text
• structure the information clearly
• make sure important points are clear.

We use gender-inclusive language and talk to our readers as ‘you’ so that everyone feels included. Where clinically necessary we use the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ or ‘male’ and ‘female’. For example, we do so when talking about parts of the body or mentioning statistics or research about who is affected.

You can read more about how we produce our information here.