Information for the public

Assessment

Assessment

A member of the CUP team should ask you about your medical history and, with your permission, they should carry out a physical examination. You should be offered blood and urine tests, which will give the team more information about your general health.

Deciding about tests and investigations

Your key worker or another member of the CUP team should explain to you that, with your permission, further tests and investigations will be offered to try and find out where your cancer started. One of the most important investigations is a biopsy (see box below), which shows what type of cancer you have. This is so that you can be offered the most appropriate treatment, depending on your health at the moment. The CUP team member should also tell you about any side effects and the possible benefits of the tests and treatment.

If the results of the tests are not likely to affect which treatment you are offered, or if you decide you do not want to have any treatment, you should not be offered any more tests. This should be discussed with you, and support offered if necessary.

Any further tests and investigations will be offered depending on your symptoms, and are described in the box below.

Tests and investigations

Some of the following tests and investigations may be offered to you:

  • Blood tests for tumour markers: detect chemicals made by some types of tumour.

  • Biopsy: removes a small piece of tissue from a tumour using a needle or with a small operation. The tissue is checked using a microscope.

  • Chest X-ray, and sometimes X-rays of other areas of the body.

  • CT scan (computed tomography scan): uses X-rays to produce pictures of an area of the body; dye is often given as a drink or into a vein to improve the pictures.

  • Endoscopy: uses a thin flexible tube with a camera on the end to look inside organs like the lungs, stomach or bowel.

  • Mammography: an X-ray of the breast.

  • MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging scan): uses a magnet and radiowaves to give detailed pictures of an area of the body.

  • PET-CT scan (positron emission tomography–computed tomography scan): uses a small amount of radioactive dye injected into a vein to show any abnormal areas in the body.

  • Ultrasound: a scan using sound waves to produce pictures of an area of the body.

  • Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS): a small operation using keyhole surgery, to look at the surface of the lung.

Questions you might like to ask about the tests and investigations

  • Please can I have more details about the tests or investigations that I've been offered?

  • What is this test or investigation for?

  • What if I decide not to have the tests or investigations?

  • Where will these be carried out? Will I need to have them in hospital?

  • Will the test or investigation be painful? Are there any risks or side effects?

  • How long will I have to wait until I have the test or investigation?

  • How long will it take to get the results?

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