Urgent suspected cancer referrals - patient information

I have been referred for tests to investigate possible cancer - what does this mean for me?

graphic showing patient information following urgent suspected cancer referral. All information on graphic is on webpage

You are referred to hospital to investigate your symptoms to rule out cancer.

You will be contacted by the hospital within 10 to 14 days, for either a phone discussion or to arrange an appointment.

Please make sure you attend the first available appointment or let the team know if you can’t attend.

East Kent Hospitals: 01227 864240
Medway Hospital: 01634 833891
Darent Valley Hospital: 0208 228 1152
Maidstone Hospital: 01622 224519
Kent Integrated Dermatology Services 01634 799730

You will receive the outcome of your tests and advised on next steps. This could include:

no cancer found, discharged
no cancer found but if symptoms or concerns persist go back to your GP
cancer has been diagnosed and treatment options will be discussed with you.

Watch video: Find out what to expect when urgently referred for suspected cancer.

Patient information following urgent suspected cancer referral

Handy hints

Calls from hospitals may show as private number or you may not recognise it.
Check to see if you can take a family member or friend with you to the hospital or for planned phone calls.
There may be a lot of information given at this time
Have a pen and paper ready
Have questions prepared.

Here to help

Cancer Research UK: www.cancerresearch.co.uk 0808 800 4040 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Macmillan Cancer Support: www.macmillan.org.uk 0808 808 0000 Monday to Sunday 8am to 8pm
Cancer Care Map: www.cancercaremap.org

Feedback: Something wrong or missing?

If you spot any errors on this page, did not find what you are looking for here, or have any feedback about using this website, please email our team at england.kmcanceralliance@nhs.net

Screening and early diagnosis

Our screening and early diagnosis work focuses on breaking down barriers to increase the number of people who take up screening and raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer to reduce health and health care inequalities across Kent and Medway.

Faster diagnosis

The NHS Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) requires patients to be diagnosed or have cancer ruled out within 28 days of being referred urgently by their GP for suspected cancer. For patients who are diagnosed with cancer, it means their treatment can begin as soon as possible. For those who are not, they can have their minds put at rest more…

Personalised care and support

Personalised care means giving patients more choice and control over their care, based on what matters most to them as individuals. It is a partnership between people with cancer and their professional team.

Innovation

Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance (KMCA) is one of eight cancer alliances to participate in the Galleri-GRAIL clinical trial. The trial aims to prove whether the Galleri-GRAIL test is effective in diagnosing up to 50 types of cancer by looking for DNA markers in the blood.

Urgent suspected cancer referrals - patient information

I have been referred for tests to investigate possible cancer - what does this mean for me?

Day one

Day one to 14

Ring the hospital if they have not contacted you after 14 days:

Day 14 to 28