why did I do this

I have a 2 week referral for an unusual " thing " on my temple. Dr said it was a mole which looked abnormal. Dr Google says, along with photos, it is probably a melanoma. I have an appointment next Thursday, watch this space.

So sorry to read this, annsixty. You have enough on your plate already! It seems there are a lot of these 2 week referrals about. Hope it is one of the sebhorroic (Sp?) keratosis age spots, some of which on Google can look remarkably similar to melanomas.

Anything that signals possible cancer gets an urgent referral. This is wonderful, and saves a lot of lives. Think how much you'd be worrying if you had symptoms but WEREN'T doing something about it! Glad yours turned out not as bad as you feared.

A friend of mine had a "something" on her face. GP referred her to get it removed and told her it was skin cancer.
After removal and test, GP had to tell her it wasn't cancer but he had assumed it was because she'd had two previous "somethings" removed which were cancerous, only he hadn't told her.

If your GP has sent a letter to the hospital to ask for an appointment, you have the right to ask for a copy of the letter .Just ask the receptionist.

I went to see a doctor a few weeks back and she googled it !!! When I told her I had come to see a doctor rather than do that she said "it really is the best doctor"!! All the test came back clear and I am looking for a new doctor. I hope it all goes ok for you. Take care.

Well yes, you Googled because you're human and you're curious. In the old days it would have been a medical dictionary. Many of us have an enquiring mind and there's nothing wrong with that. I don't believe that ignorance is bliss, surely it's better to know, forewarned is fore-armed.
Try not to worry - you have a referral so things are moving in the right direction. Many illnesses are curable. Best of luck.

Listen, last week I was referred urgently to a one stop clinic. I knew my symptoms were the same as those that killed a friend with cancer. Thankfully, all my test results were fine. Like you my mind was in overdrive pre appt. I am just glad I got a quick referral and that all is well. Here's hoping you get a positive outcome too!

On 19th June 2017 I saw an ENT consultant after an urgent referral from my GP due to a lump on my neck, on 22nd June I had an ultrasound scan and a fine needle biopsy. I was called back in to see the consultant on 30th June and was diagnosed with a tumour. I went into hospital for it to be removed on 6th July and am now at home recovering and waiting for the results to come back . What I want to say is these referrals work. Try not to worry because there is a huge chance that it's not cancer, and if it is then you will receive the best care possible and the chance of recovery will be excellent. My journey apart from the histology took around 17 days , I have the nickname of Mumkinstine and grandma pirate as I have a very large scar at the moment down my neck. It's my 50th Birthday next week and I am looking forward to my party and then to our holiday in September.
Lots of luck and love to you and I hope everything is ok

Seriously thinking of leaving my 76 yr old husbsnd after 37 years. He admits his memory and cognition are failing and he would be lost without me. However he takrs his frustrations out on me and accuses me of lying. I am under treatment for csn er and I think I need to be selfish and put myself first. I would need to move out but he could stay in the family home. At 66 is it worth the hastle and the upset??

I had a chest x-ray on 30th June and they tell me I have a swelling in my left lung. CT scan tomorrow, followed by thoracic consultant on Friday.
It's clear to me they think it's cancer. I've decided it isn't!
Could do with lots of vibes from you all agreeing that I'm right and they're wrong

Good luck ..hope it turns out to be nothing to worry about ! I love Dr Google BUT I only use 'him' AFTER a diagnosis to understand the proposed treatment, and look up the drugs and any side effects. I have found this to be really helpful ,,as I said on another threadm I was offered an experimental treatment for what I had been told was terminal cancer, it having spread three times from the bowel to the liver, and than a third time to the other corner of the liver, and possibly the lungs .....never heard of the treatment, so looked it up online and knew exactly what would happen. I asked the professor to let me see the CD of the TEP scan, which he did, and he pointed out what was what (I could make nothing out from a scan of the liver !)..he said it was unusual for someone to want to know ,,,,or ask even, what drugs I was being given ...and I was told that because of my positive attitude I would be suitable for the treatment ......did at times think of giving up as three to four years of chemo was horrible but my Doc said 'We cannot allow you to do that ' !!! (my body !) ...so I carried on......

Hope all goes well for you ...remain positive, and don't Google anything UNTIL or UNLESS you are given a diagnosis ! Best of luck

I went to see my GP just last November as I had blood in my poo, she examined me & said I had a small pile which could be causing the bleeding. She asked if I wanted to be referred, I said no (visit to 87 year old DM & C***** coming up). I have previously had a Colonoscopy which showed polyps (non cancerous) so I wasn't unduly worried. GP was fine, she'd offered referral & I'd said no, no problem. Happy to say problem has resolved itself, family don't know so they haven't had to worry.

I wish you well & hope it's all good news

My thoughts are with all who have medical problems hanging over them. It is only natural to worry.

I hope this may help...In February I failed two bowel screening tests (no symptoms) and was urgently referred for a colonoscopy. The appointment was made for no later than two weeks. I was out of my mind! I purposely did not look at the internet as I would have scared myself as you have done. When I got to the appointment it was thoroughly explained to me that cases like this are dealt with and completed within 6 weeks from beginning to end, as a must. Its a process that the NHS have in place so that patients are dealt with quickly if necessary. I was very lucky I had a benign polyp which was removed during the colonoscopy. Your doctor could well be erring on the side of caution and following the procedure for questionable symptoms...it doesn't mean there is anything wrong. Please don't worry...easier said than done I know. Let us know how you get on.

I don't think you should worry, if the GP really thought it was pancreatic cancer you would not have to wait until October for a scan. I have been fast tracked several times.

I am going through exactly the same thing at the moment. I am 68 and have been having vaginal bleeding for a few days, not a good sign when way past the menopause. Having already had Breast Cancer only 2 1/2 yrs ago and therefore still in remission it is even more worrying. Got a scan next week folloŵed by an urgent appt. with a gynaecologist. Hopefully they are just being extra careful. Trying not to worry too much but pretty difficult in the circumstances.

I've has the scan & blood tests, It was the hospital that asked my GP to put me in for an urgent referral when GP couldn't think what my symptoms were indicative of so he rang them

I had a gastroscopy without sedation in January and it really was not so bad at all. I had a couple of puffs of gas and air first which helped me relax.

There are just a couple of seconds when you gag a bit as they pass the tube down the back of your throat but it is only a second or two and thy are very quick at doing the whole procedure. It would not worry me if I had to have another one done. The anticipation was by far the worst bit - I was very anxious.

Good luck to anyone waiting for this procedure and don't worry. There are worse things at sea as my old Dad used to say!

Good to read of your positive experience Gagagran, I know that others on GN and elsewhere have also had similar, so I shall hold on to that hope that when it's my turn, I will also have a 'good' (if it can be called good!) gastroscopy. No referral letter yet, but as it's non-urgent might be a while.

annsixty, I shall be thinking of you tomorrow.
My thoughts are also with others waiting for urgent referral.