Key takeaways
- Using specific guidelines, your GP will decide whether your symptoms require tests or a referral to a specialist team
- It’s important to remember that 9 out of 10 signs, symptoms or changes that you report to your GP will not be cancer
- Most people who are referred to a specialist team will be seen within two weeks. There are some exceptions to this.
- Your GP should give you a list of local and national resources and continue to support you as you wait for your appointment
There are more than 200 types of cancer, each with its own signs and symptoms. While it’s important to be aware of any new or worrying symptoms, remember that they are unlikely to be linked to cancer, however, you should talk with your GP as soon as possible so they can assess the change.
Finding cancer earlier means it can be easier to treat. If your GP does suspect that your symptoms could be cancer, they’ll refer you to a specialist team, usually within two weeks. In this guide, we share the symptoms that you should report to your GP, as well as what to expect when you see your GP or if you are referred to a specialist.
Which symptoms should I see my GP about?
It can sometimes be difficult to know if a new sign, symptom or change you have noticed is something that needs to be reported to your GP. The NHS has a helpful list of symptoms that are important to get checked out. These include a prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, change in bowel habit, rapidly growing lumps or suspicious looking moles. You can find the full list here.
If you have or are experiencing any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your GP straight away. It might be helpful to keep a note of your symptoms and any changes while you wait for your appointment.
What should I expect when I see my GP?
Your GP will ask you questions about the change you have noticed and whether it might relate to medications you are taking, your age or perhaps medical conditions that you already have. They might need to examine you but this isn’t always the case. They may also arrange some tests, depending on the symptoms you have. Specific guidelines help GPs decide what tests might be helpful in your diagnosis, whether you should see a specialist team and how quickly.
The guidelines GPs follow
GPs in England follow guidelines from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). These guidelines are evidence-based recommendations for health and care in England. Wales also generally follows England’s guidance. You can read about them here. The NICE guidelines support doctors with:
- Cancer signs and symptoms to look for
- What tests to arrange
- How soon tests or a consultation should be carried out, depending on the signs and symptoms
- Recommendations for ‘safety netting’, which helps to make sure nothing gets missed
- What information and support to provide to people with suspected cancer and their families and/or carers
If you live in Scotland you may find the NHS Inform website useful. You can access it here.
Using the guidelines, your GP will decide whether your symptoms require tests or a referral to a specialist, or both. It may also be the case that your symptoms indicate another condition, which may be nothing to worry about or may require monitoring. If you are not clear about this or anything else during or after your appointment, don’t be afraid to ask questions or make a further appointment.
What will happen if my GP thinks cancer could be a possibility?
If your GP thinks your symptoms need further investigation they may suggest the following:
- Ordering some tests, for example, blood tests or a chest x-ray
- Ordering tests and referring you to a specialist team
- Referring you directly to a specialist team without ordering any tests
The specialist team will be experts in the area of the body which may need further checks .
The NICE guidelines will help your GP decide how urgently you need tests or to be seen by a specialist. Referrals for suspected cancer in England will be made under what is known as the ‘two-week rule’. This means you should be seen by a specialist team within two weeks of them receiving the referral.
Scotland, Wales and (in general) Northern Ireland don’t have the two week time frame to see a specialist. But wherever you live, a specialist will see you as soon as possible.
What will happen if I am referred?
It can be really difficult waiting for an appointment, especially if you are worried that the change you have noticed may be due to cancer. Try to remember that most people – roughly nine out of ten – who are referred to a specialist will not have cancer.
Nine out of ten people who are referred to a specialist team will not have cancer
Before you leave your GP appointment, they should be able to give you information about:
- The hospital or team you are being referred to
- How soon your appointment will be
- What you can expect to happen at your appointment and what tests might be carried out
- Whether someone can go with you to the appointment
While you are waiting for your appointment, your GP should continue to provide support and ask you to contact them again if you have any concerns or questions. If you haven’t had an appointment letter from the specialist team within two weeks, either get back in touch with your GP so they can follow up on your behalf, or contact the hospital directly to chase the appointment – depending on what you’ve agreed with your GP.
With your agreement, your GP should tell the specialist team if you need any extra help because of your personal circumstances.
What should I do if my symptoms haven’t improved and I’m still worried?
If you’ve seen your GP and they’ve reassured you, but you’re still concerned or things have changed, it’s important to go back. In some cases the GP may then refer you onto a specialist team at the hospital if further assessment is needed.
While we have ensured that every article is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to one of our healthcare professionals or your primary healthcare team.
References
‘Cancer’, NHS, 13 October 2022, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/
‘Safety Netting’, Cancer Research UK, 10 November 2020, https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/diagnosis/suspected-cancer-referral-best-practice/safety-netting
‘NICE (NG12) Suspected Cancer: Recognition & Referral guidelines’, Cancer Research UK, 18 February 2022, https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/diagnosis/suspected-cancer-referral-best-practice/nice-ng12-suspected-cancer-recognition-referral-guidelines
‘Suspected cancer: recognition and referral’, NICE, 15 December 2021, https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng12/ifp/chapter/if-you-are-referred-for-suspected-cancer
‘NICE guidelines’, NICE, https://www.nice.org.uk/about/what-we-do/our-programmes/nice-guidance/nice-guidelines
‘Going for tests’, Macmillan, 30 April 2019, https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/diagnosis/going-for-tests