Referral to cancer services

Being referred

Your GP may have referred you to one of our cancer teams. This may be because of symptoms you are having.

Or, you may have taken part in one of the cancer screening programmes. If this shows cancer signs, the screening team will refer you for more tests.

When the cancer team receives your referral, they have 2 weeks to make arrangements. This might involve having a clinic appointment first to discuss possible tests. Sometimes a first appointment is not needed, depending on your symptoms and other factors. If this is so, you will have appointments to come directly for tests.

Cancer signs and symptoms

Certain symptoms, known as ‘red flags’ can be early signs of cancer. It is important to find the cause of symptoms as soon as possible. If in doubt, check it out. If a cancer is present, finding it will help us to arrange treatment quickly. On the other hand, if there is no cancer we can reassure you sooner.

More information on symptoms from NHS

Screening programmes

Breast (mamogram)

The NHS Breast screening programme invites females, aged 50 to 71 years for screening. This happens every 3 years and involves having a Mammogram x-ray test.

Cervical

Cervical screening is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 years.

Bowel

The Bowel cancer screening programme invites everyone, aged 50 – 74 years for screening. Bowel cancer screening is a test you can do at home. The test checks for signs of bowel cancer. The test is offered every 2 years.

Lung health

Lung cancer screening invites everyone aged 55 – 75 years who have ever smoked. Screening consists of a free lung health check.

Presently, lung health checks are only offered in some parts of England. These are North Kirklees, Bradford District and Craven. By 2029, all areas of England will offer lung health checks.

The lung health check determines a person’s risk of having lung cancer. It also gives advice and support to people who want to stop smoking. This includes referring people to specialist stop smoking services.

Someone with a high risk of lung cancer, will need further specialist tests. This involves a CT scan (Computed Tomography) scan. This gives detailed images of the lungs.

Lung Health Checks – NHS

Find out about Free NHS cancer screening in Bradford District and Craven

Getting to your appointment

It is important that you attend all your hospital appointments. This will help the healthcare teams to look after you properly. However, we know that this is not always easy for various reasons.

Your healthcare team can arrange support to help you come to your appointments. If you have concerns, please contact the fast-track appointments team who can help. The contact details for the team are on your appointment letter or text message. The appointments team can re-arrange appointment times, so they are easier to attend. They can also advise you about arranging transport to bring you to your appointment. Sometimes it may be possible to organise a parking concession. Your healthcare team will advise if this is so.

You may also get a phone-call from our healthcare team before your appointment. This is to check whether you need any support to come to your appointment.

If your treatment requires you to make repeated attendances at a clinic or outpatient facility, you may qualify for concessionary parking. Speak to a member of staff for further details.

Useful Contact Telephone Numbers

Central Patient Booking Service: 01274 274274
Fast track 2 week wait booking service: 01274 382540
Endoscopy admin / appointments: 01274 273073
Radiology appointments centre (USS / Scans) – 01274 365499
Blood test booking line – tel: 01274 365056

A photo of main reception in Bradford Royal Infirmary

Cancer waiting time standards

The government introduced Cancer waiting time standards in 2000. These are a way of reducing delays in cancer management. Cancer waiting times make sure referrals, tests and treatments happen in a specific time. The cancer waiting time standards are:

Faster Diagnosis Standard – Cancer is to be diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days of urgent referral
31-day treatment standard – Cancer treatment should start within 31 days of a decision to treat.
62-day treatment standard – Cancer treatment should start within 62 days of the first referral or consultant upgrade

At Bradford hospital, we work hard to meet these standards for all our patients. This is the role of the Lead cancer team and fast track referral team. Together they work to resolve potential problems in patients receiving tests or care. The Lead cancer team measures how well we meet the cancer waiting time standards. The results are reported to the national cancer team.

Lead Cancer Team

The Lead Cancer team ensures that all people with cancer have the best care. They work to deliver cancer services in a timely way and avoid needless delays. This allows cancer teams to diagnose people with cancer quickly and start treatment sooner.

The Lead Cancer team works to support the wider cancer teams and local services. Together, they focus on improving cancer services and the experience of cancer care for everyone.