Being diagnosed with cancer

Tests you may have

To find out more about your symptoms, your healthcare team will arrange different tests. These will help to find out if a cancer is present. Your specialist team will be able to answer any questions or concerns that you have regarding clinical tests. Depending on your symptoms and the type of cancer, you may be advised to have any, or a combination of the following tests:

Blood tests

Tumour marker blood tests check for cancer disease. The blood test is specific to the type of cancer. Tumour marker blood tests include:

  • PSA –Prostate cancer
  • CEA –Colorectal (Bowel) cancer
  • CA-125 –Gynaecological or Peritoneal cancer
  • CA19-9 –Pancreatic or Gallbladder cancer
  • Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) –Liver cancer
  • CA15-3 and CA 27-29 –Breast cancer

To make an appointment to have a blood test, please contact the Blood test booking line: 01274 365056

Having examinations and blood tests – easy read (MacMillan Cancer Support)

CT (Computed tomography) scans

CT scans produce images of the inside of our bodies. They do this using specialist X-rays and computers. They help to show abnormal areas inside the body.

What is a CT Scan (Cancer Research UK)

Having a CT scan – easy read (MacMillan Cancer Support)

MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) scans

An MRI scan uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves. This produces detailed images of the inside of the body. MRI scans give us different images to CT scans. Sometimes you may need to have both types of scans. This will help your healthcare team to know what is happening inside your body.

MRI Scan (Cancer Research UK)

MRI Scan (NHS Website)

Having and MRI Scan – easy read (MacMillan Cancer Support)

PET-CT (Positron emission tomography) scan

A PET-CT scan creates 3D images of the inside of our bodies. It works by checking how healthy the cells in the organs inside you are. It can also find diseased cells.

Before having a PET-CT scan the healthcare team inject a radioactive substance (radiotracer) into your arm. 

Diseased cells soak up more of the radiotracer than healthy cells. This shows up on the scan as ‘hot spots’. PET scans can find areas of cancer. They can also measure how well a cancer treatment is working.

PET-CT Scan (Cancer Research UK)

Ultrasound scan (USS)

An Ultrasound scan works by sending out high frequency sound waves from a probe. The probe also receives back the high frequency sound waves. The probe sends the results to a computer which turns it into an image. Ultrasound scans create images of the organs inside your body. 

There are three different types of Ultrasound scan. These are an external ultrasound scan, an internal ultrasound scan and an endoscopic ultrasound scan. Each Ultrasound scan examines a different part of the body. Your healthcare team will explain which type of Ultrasound scan that you may need.

An external ultrasound scan is one that is performed outside of the body. 

The healthcare team place a cold gel on the skin surface. This is over the area of concern. A soft probe is then pressed and moved on top of the skin. It is normal to feel a small amount of pressure. 

An internal ultrasound scan looks at the inside of certain organs in more detail. The healthcare team insert an adapted probe inside a body opening. This includes the vagina (trans-vaginal ultrasound) or the rectum (trans-rectal ultrasound). The healthcare team place gel on the probe to make insertion easier. 

An endoscopic ultrasound scan looks at the structures around the throat and digestive system. The healthcare team do this test during an endoscopy (camera test). They use a specialist probe attached to a telescope camera.

Having an Ultrasound – easy read (MacMillan Cancer Support)

Biopsy

A biopsy is a small sample of tissue taken from an abnormal area. It can help to find out if the abnormal area has cancer in it. 

A biopsy is normally taken with a needle. The healthcare team collect biopsy samples during different tests. These include internal camera tests. 

Sometimes, the healthcare team collects biopsy samples in the X-ray (radiology) department. This is because scans help to find abnormal areas inside the body. This guides the biopsy needle to the correct place. If needed, the healthcare team will give an injection to numb the skin first. This is to help to keep you comfortable. 

The healthcare team look at the biopsy tissue under a microscope. They can tell if the cells have changed to become abnormal or cancerous. 

Having a Biopsy – easy read (MacMillan Cancer Support)

Endoscopy

An endoscopy is an internal telescope camera test. It looks at the inside lining of different organs. These include the bowel, stomach and oesophagus (digestive tract), lungs and a women’s womb. 

The healthcare team will give you different advice to prepare for each camera test. The different types of endoscopies include;

  • Gastroscopy – This examines the upper part of the digestive tract. This includes the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach, and the first part of the small bowel (Duodenum). The telescope camera is about as wide as your smallest finger. The camera is carefully passed through the mouth and down into the stomach. The healthcare team will help you to relax while you have the test.
  • Colonoscopy – A colonoscopy examines the lower part of the digestive tract with a camera. This includes the anus (bottom opening), rectum and colon (bowel). The bowel should be clean and empty for the test to be successful. Your healthcare team will advise you about things to do before your bowel test. This normally includes having a special diet and taking a medicine. This helps to empty the bowel before the camera test.
  • Hysteroscopy – A hysteroscopy is a telescope camera test. It is used to examine a woman’s womb (uterus).

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)

The MDT consists of healthcare professionals who are specialists in a type of cancer.

The MDT reviews patient results to diagnose cancer and plan the correct treatments. They also follow patient pathways and progress their care to prevent delays. The MDT includes surgeons, cancer nurse specialists and cancer doctors (oncologists). Oncologists specialise in chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. The team also includes x-ray specialists (radiologists) and histopathologists. These roles give the MDT specialist detail about the cancer. Some MDT’s also have a cancer care coordinator, a dietitian and a psychologist. The MDT works together and delivers the best cancer care for patients.

There is a separate MDT meeting for each type of cancer. Each MDT meets weekly or once every 2 weeks on a set day to progress peoples’ care.

Receiving your results

Waiting for results is a worrying time for you and your family. We aim to share your results with you as soon as they are ready. 

Results that confirm cancer, are first reviewed by the multi-disciplinary team (MDT). This review makes sure that you have the correct treatment. 

After the MDT review you will have an appointment with your cancer team. This is to discuss your results and treatment options. This is a chance for you to find out what is important to you. Your cancer team are there to support you at every stage.

We know that hospital appointments can be difficult for many different reasons. You are very welcome to bring someone with you to your appointment. However, we understand if you wish to come alone. You may worry that you do not know what to ask or say. It can be helpful to write down any questions as you think of them. You can bring your questions to the appointment and discuss them with the team. It is also useful to bring a list of regular medicines that you take. 

Our appointment booking team can also support with your appointment. The team try to meet most people’s needs and requirements. This might include wheelchair access, the time of the appointment or transport. They can also arrange an interpreter if English is not your first language. 

Please contact our appointment booking teams about any concerns you have about your appointments:

  • Central Patient Booking Service: 01274 274 274
  • Fast track 2 week wait booking service: 01274 382 540

Finding Out You Have Cancer – easy read (MacMillan Cancer Support)

Getting your test results – easy read (MacMillan Cancer Support)

Lynch Syndrome

Lynch syndrome is a rare genetic condition that can run in families. People with Lynch syndrome have a higher-than-normal risk of developing certain cancers. These include bowel cancer, endometrial (womb) cancer and ovarian cancer. However, not everyone who has Lynch syndrome will develop a cancer.

To check for Lynch syndrome, all new bowel and gynaecological cancers have genetic testing. Looking at changes in the cancer genes gives us more detail about the cancer. It can tell us if there might be a link to Lynch syndrome. If this is so, the healthcare team will arrange further tests. If tests confirm Lynch syndrome, your healthcare team will refer you to the genetics service.

The genetics team supports people with Lynch syndrome to reduce their cancer risk. They offer cancer screening more often than for someone who does not have Lynch syndrome. This is to look for early cancers which may not cause any symptoms. 

The genetics team will also discuss different options to reduce the cancer risk. Family members can also have predictive testing to find out their risk.

Lynch syndrome patient support at Bradford Teaching Hospitals

Lynch Choices is a website that helps people with Lynch to make choices that are right for them. It is designed to be used with support from the genetics service, GPs, healthcare teams in the community, charities and patient groups.