About your Urgent Suspected Cancer Referral (USC)
This information is provided by the NHS Northern Cancer Alliance
What is an urgent suspected cancer referral?
Your GP has arranged an urgent assessment by a specialist team. This is to investigate your symptoms. You may have some tests to find out what is wrong and if it could be cancer.
A USC referral means that you should be given information about whether you have cancer or not within 28 days of the referral being received by the hospital.
Why am I being urgently referred?
The signs and symptoms you have may be caused by some common conditions, but it is important that the hospital knows about your GP’s concerns so that they can investigate your condition including checking for cancer.
Most people referred on an urgent suspected cancer referral do not have cancer.
How is my appointment made?
You may be given your appointment by the GP practice, or the hospital may contact you by telephone or letter in the next few days.
Check the GP practice has your up to date contact details.
If you do not get a call or appointment within 1 week, please contact the hospital by telephone 0191 2824444 or via email nuth.ABC@nhs.net
Tell us if it is difficult for you to manage a telephone call or if you have any other communication needs or need a translator.
What if I cannot attend the appointment offered?
It is very important that you attend your appointment.
If you can’t make it, please contact the hospital at 0191 2824444 as soon as possible to arrange an alternative.
Your GP believes your symptoms need to be investigated as soon as possible. Your first appointment with the specialist is very important; wherever you can, please make it a priority. This appointment may be by telephone.
How do I get to the hospital?
If you cannot use public transport, drive, or arrange your own transport you may be able to use the ambulance patient transport service.
Call the North East Ambulance Service on 0191 2151515.
What will happen at my appointment?
Details on what will happen at your first appointment, and any tests you might need, will usually be sent with your appointment confirmation.
For many people, the first contact from the hospital might be by telephone. The team will discuss your referral with you.
To help your specialist to understand the cause of your symptoms you may need some tests eg blood tests, scans. The tests may be needed either:
• Before you see your specialist
• During your first specialist appointment
• Or, arranged by the specialist after your first appointment.
In some cases, the specialist team will review your case and no tests will be needed.
You may find it useful to write down any questions you want to ask during your appointment.
The specialist team will give you a lot of information and many people find it helpful to take a friend or relative along with them for support.
Handy Hints
- If you do not get your appointment details within a week, contact the hospital
first. - If you have problems contacting the hospital, then contact your GP practice
and tell them it is urgent suspected cancer referral. - A call from the hospital or surgery may be from an unknown or withheld
telephone number. - Try to bring a family member or friend with you for support.
- Think about arranging transport, time off work or child-care for the day of your
appointment. - Make sure you know where you are going.
- Allow extra time in case it takes longer than you expect.
- Make sure your mobile phone is charged.
Ask how long it will take to get your results and make a note of it.
Bring a pen and paper with you to make notes.
Let the hospital know if you require a translator.