Information for the public
Test results
Test results
Being referred to a specialist does not mean that you have cancer. Very few people who are referred to a specialist actually have cancer. However, it is important that you are checked quickly to find out. If you do have cancer, spotting it early can mean treatment is easier and more likely to be successful.
Sometimes blood tests, X‑rays or ultrasound scans suggest cancer may be possible. Some of these tests may be done by your GP as part of a general health check or to check for cancer.
Blood test results
If you have a blood test and your test results suggest that cancer might be a possible cause, you may be offered further tests or investigations, or an appointment to see a cancer specialist within 2 weeks. Whether you are offered an investigation or an appointment will depend on the type of blood test result (for example, abnormal red or white blood cell levels, high platelet levels, high glucose levels or high calcium levels may sometimes suggest cancer) and other factors that might affect your risk of cancer, such as your age and whether you have any symptoms of cancer.
Prostate cancer
If you have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test that suggests prostate cancer is possible, you should be offered an appointment to see a cancer specialist within 2 weeks.
Ovarian cancer
If you have a test to check for ovarian cancer (called a CA125 test) that suggests that ovarian cancer is possible, you should be offered a scan of your abdomen and pelvis. You should be offered an appointment to see a cancer specialist within 2 weeks if your scan results show that ovarian cancer is possible. If your CA125 result is normal, your GP should check for other causes of your symptoms and, if no cause can be found, you should be advised when to return if your symptoms persist or happen more often.
Myeloma
If you have blood tests that suggest myeloma (a type of cancer that affects white blood cells and the bone marrow where blood cells are made) is possible, you should be offered further blood tests (called protein electrophoresis) and a urine test (called a Bence‑Jones protein test) to check for chemicals (particular types of protein) that are produced by myeloma cancer cells. These further tests should be carried out within 2 days. If these tests also show that myeloma is possible, you should be offered an appointment to see a cancer specialist within 2 weeks.
Faeces (stool) test results
If you have symptoms of possible cancer of the colon or rectum, and tests have found traces of blood in your faeces (stools), you should be offered an appointment to see a cancer specialist within 2 weeks to check for cancer of the colon or rectum.
X‑ray results
If you have had an X‑ray that suggests lung cancer, mesothelioma (which can affect the lining of the lungs and chest) or bone sarcoma is possible, you should be offered an appointment to see a cancer specialist within 2 weeks.
Ultrasound scan results
If an ultrasound scan of your abdomen and pelvis suggests that ovarian cancer is possible, you should be offered an appointment to see a cancer specialist within 2 weeks. If your ultrasound scan is normal but you have a high CA125 result, your GP should check for other causes of your symptoms and, if no cause can be found, you should be advised when to return if your symptoms persist or happen more often.
If an ultrasound scan suggests that soft tissue sarcoma is possible, or if the scan results are uncertain and there is still concern that cancer is possible, you may be offered an appointment to see a cancer specialist within 2 weeks.