MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
On the back of this report
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56180913
IF YOU HAVE VAGUE, POSSIBLE CANCE SYMPTOMS GO AND SEE YOUR GP. They are desperate to see you. DO NOT PUT IT OFF ANY LONGER.
SWMBO is a GP is a pretty decent parts of the North East. She's getting a bit down. She's finding so much cancer. So many people who have put off getting checked up - they don't think it's serious, there's a pandemic, the GP is too busy, they're not doing face-to-face visits....
They are keen to see you, get on the phone, don't put it off any longer.
I know there are several GPs on here, their experience and viewpoint may corroborate this, maybe not.
A timely reminder to get my moles checked.
Which is great but my mum found a suspicious lump, was referred for urgent investigation 12 week wait on what should have been 2 (fortunately negative).
GP is not necessarily the issue but what comes after is.
GP is not necessarily the issue but what comes after is.
But the GP frequently acts as the gatekeeper to these services, they are the ones who refer you. If in doubt get it checked. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glad to hear your Mum had a good result.
A timely reminder to get my moles checked.
@morecashthandash do you do this as a GP appointment? I have hunners of moles, never had them checked as such, apart from when I've had a suspicious individual.
12 week wait on what should have been 2
Sorry to hear - that is disappointing - but glad she got the all clear.
The 2-week referrals here are normally coming back in less than 2 weeks. If you don't hear back in time, kick up a stink - the system is fallible to human error and referrals not getting processed.
@morecashthandash do you do this as a GP appointment? I have hunners of moles, never had them checked as such, apart from when I’ve had a suspicious individual.
I think the suspicious bit is key. When I've been to get some checked out I've been told they are only an issue if they change appearance, or suddenly become sore or bleed, itch etc. If they've been there for ever and haven't got bigger, darker, redder etc. then probably OK. IANAD etc.
I had my moles properly checked about 10 years ago, GP felt a couple looked suspicious and referred me to hospital, which proved a false alarm.
I try and keep an eye on them myself, they come and go a bit, but one probably needs a professional look over again.
Somewhat ironically I suppose, lockdown gave my Mrs the chance to get to the docs to have a dodgy mole looked at. She'd normally be too busy otherwise to stop and think about herself. Anyway, as well she did because it turned out to be a melanoma. 2 ops later and it's all out (hopefully!). So I'd echo the OP - don't wait, go now if you have any suspicion or symptoms 🙂
if only local GPs would see you. my local practise has been creaking for years, very difficult to get through and then phone calls at the moment, subsequent trip to A&E advised.
population likely doubled since the last census. health care provision not.
the majority at A&E said the same thing, gp said go to A&E.
the impoverished north
My Dad's had cancer treatment and tests through the pandemic, also another friend is having investigations. They are still doing other stuff, they know all these other things still kill.
When I’ve been to get some checked out I’ve been told they are only an issue if they change appearance, or suddenly become sore or bleed, itch etc. If they’ve been there for ever and haven’t got bigger, darker, redder etc. then probably OK. IANAD etc.
My GP removed a mole from my shoulder a few years ago, after it changed colour, got impressively itchy and started sprouting hairs.
While face down on the bench, having had a local anaesthetic etc, he told me that this operation was completely unnecessary and that the mole was probably absolutely fine. I'm not sure if I actually said out loud, but I seem to remember thinking "YOU ARE THE EXPERT! You told me that it needed to be removed." He made me feel like I was wasting his time.
I'll echo the see your GP call. I needed an X-ray and and ultrasound after seeing my GP during lockdown. Both done within 2 weeks. No problem getting fsace to face GP appt when required either. Makes sense for initial contact to be phone but GPs will do face to face as appropriate.
Sending pics of moles as we speak.
Have spent the last 3 weeks in and out of hospital with my old man due to a really shit cancer and it's unpleasant even being there during this covid bullshit.
It's making everything worse that's for sure.
My Dad’s had cancer treatment and tests through the pandemic, also another friend is having investigations. They are still doing other stuff, they know all these other things still kill.
Through the pandemic my 69year old dad has been diagnosed and treated and beaten non hodgkins lymphoma he had a couple of weeks off being hi risk in full lockdown before some breathing issues and now he's on a list for heart valve replacement. This has taught me a number of things.
A. Don't go to the docs they might find something wrong with you.
B. Don't be superfit and barely drink because it makes heehaw difference.
C. My mum says the pandemic is great because she doesn't have to visit him!
GP is not necessarily the issue but what comes after is.
My experience was exactly the opposite. Wait 4 weeks for a GP appointment, another 3 or 4 weeks of antibiotics, another appointment etc.
Once I was in the "system" it couldn't have gone quicker - hospital appointments at the weekends, walked from one test/xray to the next etc.
No complaints from me about how I was treated once the issue was identified.