Urgent Suspected Cancer (USC) Clinic

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What is this information about?

This information is about the Urgent Suspected Cancer Clinic (USC Clinic) which is run by the Haematology (blood conditions) department.  

It explains: 

• what the USC Clinic is
• why your GP (or another healthcare professional) has sent you (referred you) to the USC Clinic
• what may happen after you have been to the USC Clinic
• how long you may have to wait for the results of tests (investigations) that you have
• how we will let you know the results of your tests
• what you should do if we have not told you your test results within the expected time
• who you should contact if you feel unwell or get any new symptoms.

Why have I been given this information?

We have given you this information because your GP (or another healthcare professional) has sent you to the Haematology Urgent Suspected Cancer Clinic. 

This is because they think there is a chance that you may have a blood (haematological) cancer. They may think this because you have had: 

• recent symptoms which some people with blood cancer get
• unusual results from a blood test
• unusual imaging scan (such as an MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray) findings

You may have had one or more of these.

Reading this information will help you to know what to expect when you have your USC Clinic appointment and what happens afterwards. It can help to make you feel less uncertain about what may happen and when during the time when you are waiting to be told about your test results.

What is the USC Clinic?

The USC Clinic does tests to find out whether you have blood cancer. You may not have all the tests that you need to help us to tell whether you have blood cancer or not on the day of your first clinic appointment.

Can I bring someone with me to my USC appointment?

Yes. It is advisable to bring someone such as a relative or friend with you.

How long might my appointment be?

Your appointment with a consultant is likely to take 15 to 30 minutes.

What happens after I have had my appointment with the USC?

The doctor who has seen you in the clinic will organise further tests if they think that they might help us to find out whether or not you have blood cancer. We will tell you at the USC what further tests you need. These may include:   

• blood tests
• specialist blood tests. These are blood tests which we do more rarely.
• imaging scans
• bone marrow examination

How long might I have to wait for these tests?

Standard blood tests:

You may have blood tests:

• before you come to the USC
• at the hospital on the day of your USC appointment
• at another appointment after you have been to the USC

Specialist blood tests:

We cannot check the results of some special blood tests in the hospital. We send them to a specialist lab (laboratory) to be tested. It can take two to six weeks before we get the results back and can talk with you about them.

Imaging scans:

If you need a chest X-ray, we will tell you and you can get one by going to the hospital Radiology department on the day that you come to the USC Clinic. You do not need to make an appointment for this.

If you need any other type of scan the Radiology department will contact you about where and when you will have it.

A Radiologist (specialist in finding anything unusual in scan images and deciding what it might be) will check what your scan shows. It can take a few weeks for this to be done.

Bone marrow examination

The Haematology Team will contact you to tell you when and where you need to come if you need a bone marrow examination. It can take two to six weeks to get the results of this test.

How soon will I find out the results of my tests?

We know that waiting for your test results is difficult and worrying. We will do our best to tell you the result of your tests straight away once we know them all.

If any of your test results show something that we need to act on or tell you urgently we will contact you by phone straight away.

How will I be told my test results?

If your test results show:

• that it is likely that you do not have cancer you may: 
  • get a letter to tell you. Your GP will get a copy of the letter or 
  • get a phone call followed by a letter. 

• that you have cancer (you have a diagnosis of cancer) but that it is not a blood cancer: 
  • we may phone you to tell you that we are handing your care urgently to the right team to deal with the type of cancer that you have. 
  • the team that will be taking over your care will contact you about the next steps in managing your cancer. 

• that you have a blood cancer, or anything means that we need to see you again at the USC Clinic: 
  • you will be invited back to the USC Clinic (have a follow-up appointment). You should not have to wait for more than two weeks for this. 
  • at your appointment we will explain your test results, your diagnosis (what type of cancer you have) and our plan for how best to care for you in detail.

Who do I contact if I do not hear about an appointment for a test or get my test results in the expected time?

• For blood test queries contact the Haematology department (Haem) secretaries: 
  • Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH), Brighton and Princess Royal Hospital, Hayward’s Heath: Phone 01273 696 955 ext. 64658, 64600, or 68214
  • Worthing Hospital: Phone 01903 205 111 ext. 84636 
  • St Richards Hospital, Chichester: Phone 01243 788122 ext. 31415
• For imaging scan queries phone your local hospital and ask the switch board to put you through to the department you need (MRI, CT Scan or X-ray). 
  • Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH), Brighton: Phone 01273 696 955
  • Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath: Phone 01689 863 642  
  • Worthing Hospital: Phone 01903 205 111  
  • St. Richards Hospital, Chichester: Phone 01243 831 781  
  • Queen Alexandra PET scan: Phone 02392 283 658
• For Bone Marrow tests contact your Haematology Day Unit: 
  • Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH), Brighton and Princess Royal Hospital, Hayward’s Heath: Phone 01273 696 955 ext. 67413
  • Worthing Hospital: Phone 01903 205 111 ext. 85502
  • St. Richards Hospital, Chichester: Phone: 01243 788 122 ext. 35166

Who should I contact if I feel more unwell or get new symptoms?

Even after we have seen you at the USC Clinic, you can still ask your GP surgery for help and advice.   

You can also contact our Macmillan cancer specialist nurses during usual working hours.

They may also pass a message to the right team to help you while you are waiting to find out whether you have cancer or not.

How can I contact the Macmillan specialist nurses?