What does fast track cancer referral mean?

What is a Fast Track Urgent GP referral? This is a referral made by a GP to the hospital for patients they suspect have cancer. The fast track referral system aims to diagnose and treat serious illnesses quickly. Many conditions are more likely to be cured if they are diagnosed and treated early.

What is a fast track cancer referral?

A fast track referral happens when a GP has concerns that a patient's symptoms might suggest cancer. They make a referral to the hospital and an appointment to see a specialist is arranged within two weeks. The hospital contacts the patient by telephone to schedule the appointment or any tests that need to be done.

Does an urgent referral mean I have cancer?

Does this mean I have cancer? It is normal to worry when you are urgently referred to see a specialist by your GP, nurse or dentist. However, more than 9 out of every 10 people (more than 90%) referred this way will not be diagnosed with cancer.

Is an urgent referral serious?

An urgent referral is that which clinicians consider being of sufficient seriousness to justify a rapid investigation.

How long does a cancer referral take?

The target relating to the first part of a patient's journey states that, following an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer, at least 93% of patients should be seen by a specialist within two weeks. The standard is the same for patients with breast symptoms (where cancer is not initially suspected).

Understanding the two week suspected cancer referral

Will a doctor tell you if they suspect cancer?

Doctors need the information about grade and stage to plan your treatment. It may take a few days before your doctor has the results of all the tests. They will then be able to tell you whether you have cancer, and talk with you about your treatment options.

Why have I been given an urgent referral?

There could be several reasons why your GP has referred you; for instance: Your symptoms need further investigations. The treatment already prescribed has not worked. Investigations your GP arranged have shown some abnormal results.

How long is urgent referral?

What does it mean to be urgently referred? An urgent two-week referral means that you will be offered an appointment with a hospital specialist within 2 weeks of your General Practitioner (GP) making the referral.

What is an immediate referral?

Immediate. An acute admission or referral occurring within a few hours, or even more quickly if necessary.

What does an urgent referral mean NHS?

Your urgent referral explained. What is an urgent referral? Your GP has arranged for you to see a hospital doctor (specialist) urgently. This is to investigate your symptoms further. You may have some tests to find out what is wrong and if it could be cancer.

Does being referred to an oncologist mean you have cancer?

No, seeing an oncologist doesn't mean you have cancer. You're seeing an oncologist because you have symptoms that might be cancer. Your visit to an oncologist is an opportunity for you to talk to a specialist about your symptoms. Your oncologist might order tests to learn more about your symptoms.

How quickly should cancer treatment start?

In some situations, your doctor may diagnose a new primary cancer instead of a recurrence. If so, you should wait no more than 2 months (62 days) to start treatment. This time starts on the date that the hospital has received an urgent referral for suspected cancer.

Why have I been referred to a cancer clinic?

Takeaway. You will likely be referred to an oncologist if your doctor suspects that you have the disease. Your primary care physician may carry out tests to determine if you might have cancer. If there are any signs of cancer, your doctor may recommend visiting an oncologist as soon as possible.

What does NHS fast track mean?

Fast Track refers to the need for care to be available quickly, with recognition. that there may not be sufficient time to complete a Full NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) assessment . The Fast Track process is set out in the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare.

What is the two-week cancer pathway?

Your GP has arranged for you to see a hospital doctor (specialist) within two weeks – a process also known as the two-week referral. This is to investigate your symptoms further. You may have some tests to find out what is wrong and if it could be cancer. REFERRED IN THIS WAY ARE NOT DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER.

What does fast track mean in hospital?

Fast-track (FT) is a process developed to manage patients admitted to Emergency Departments (ED) with non-urgent complaints more effectively [1]. It consists of a separate pathway for patients with less serious conditions who can be treated and discharged more quickly.

Why is my referral being reviewed?

Why have I been referred? Your GP will discuss with you and, if appropriate, your carer, about why a referral is being recommended for you. It is usually because your GP wants a specialist's help in deciding on the best way to treat your condition.

What does 2WW mean?

Introduction: The Two Week Wait Referral Service (2WW) has been implemented as a means of fast-tracking patients with suspected upper gastrointestinal cancers for endoscopy.

How do referrals work?

A referral, in the most basic sense, is a written order from your primary care doctor to see a specialist for a specific medical service. Referrals are required by most health insurance companies to ensure that patients are seeing the correct providers for the correct problems.

How long does an NHS referral letter take?

For routine appointments, these letters will be sent after 14 and 28 days and for urgent referrals after three and six days.

What is the two week rule NHS?

The maximum waiting time for suspected cancer is 2 weeks from the day your appointment is booked through the NHS e-Referral Service, or when the hospital or service receives your referral letter.

What is the faster diagnosis standard?

The Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) is a new performance standard being introduced to ensure patients who are referred for suspected cancer have a timely diagnosis.

How long do urgent biopsy results take to come back?

How quickly you get the results of a biopsy will depend on the urgency of your case and your local hospital's policy. Results are often available within a few days. But this is difficult to predict, because further tests may be needed after the first examination of the sample.

How can you tell if a lump is cancerous?

Bumps that are cancerous are typically large, hard, painless to the touch and appear spontaneously. The mass will grow in size steadily over the weeks and months. Cancerous lumps that can be felt from the outside of your body can appear in the breast, testicle, or neck, but also in the arms and legs.

What is the next step after a positive breast biopsy?

After the biopsy procedure, the breast tissue is sent to a lab, where a doctor who specializes in analyzing blood and body tissue (pathologist) examines the sample using a microscope and special procedures. The pathologist prepares a pathology report that is sent to your doctor, who will share the results with you.