Waiting Times

[1968]

Can anyone tell me what the waiting time is from being diagnosed with lung cancer to the removal of third of the lung, I live in Scotland.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello 1968,

The guidelines state a 62-day target from receipt of referral to treatment for all cancers,

and a 31-day target from decision to treat until first treatment for all cancers. Below I have added a link to a report on what to expect on the waiting times in Scotland from diagnosis to treatment.

isdscotland.org/Health-Topi...

Kind Regards

Roy Castle Helpline

[Maudiep]

I live in England it took 3 weeks from diagnosis to operation.this was in June this year.

[JanetteR57]

It took 62 days for my lobectomy following emergency admission in 2010 in england but i’d understood that things had improved for lung cancer to be prioritised over other cancers even in trusts who fail their 62 day wait generally to try and improve cancer outcomes. I also understood scotland had excellent lung cancer specialists and centres. Indid not get my diagnosis until almost a month after surgery i.e jan 2011. Good luck with your treastment and do make use of patient information about lung surgery under treatment section on roy castle lung cancer foundation website.

[1968 in reply to JanetteR57]

Many thanks for your reply.

[Hopeforthebest]

I was diagnosed on bank holiday August 29 and had lobe (one third of lung) removed via open thoracotomy on September 21st. Could have had it a few days earlier - England (two years ago tho)

[Reflective60]

The answer is - TOO LONG! As recently publicised - we are second worst of all developed nations in cancer survival rates due to delay in getting treatment. I was 60 days from urgent referral to treatment including a 2 week delay between diagnosis and removal. During the two months the tumour doubled in size from 2 to 4.5 cm. Still operable but required loss of whole lobe by then. And this was on top of the 2 months spent by the GP treating it (when it was still tiny) with two antibiotics plus three x-rays before an urgent referral! Friends in France are shocked.

[Benjy2018 in reply to Reflective60]

Goodness what an awful experience for you it seems neglectful. I am not surprised your friends in France are shocked, their systems are far more streamlined and joined up. take care Benjy 2017.

[Reflective60 in reply to Benjy2018]

Yes, thanks Benjy. The GP's over there don't hesitate to refer. I wonder if ours are more concerned about cost to their budgets! I hope the plans recently announced to roll out CT scanners more widely and to encourage GP's to 'scan first ask questions later' will help future sufferers.

[rammie6]

I had a 7 day wait in 2011. Live in Kent UK ,operation at Guys Hospital London.

[1968]

Whhhhhawwww shocked at the delay. I was diagnosed on the 30th Aug and every week since I've had bloods-XRAY-CT scan-PET scan-LUNG function tests under urgent referal, just awaiting a pre op meeting then surgery to remove top right lobe. I've got 3.5cm and 2cm attached to top right pleura.

[Reflective60 in reply to 1968]

Good luck. Its great that its operable. My two weeks delay between diagnosis and surgery was down to the waiting time for the pre-op as the (Polish) surgeon was ready and waiting and expressed his own concern about being delayed by the pre-op delay! It felt to me like the tail wagging the dog! Two weeks feels like a long time in those circumstances with something growing inside you.

[1968 in reply to Reflective60]

I totally agree 100% i have had all the tests completed by 15th September, on that day the PET scan stated it hadn't grown-moved or spread, I'm still waiting for the Pre Op meeting, I was told if i get the Pre op meeting this week i would be in for surgey the following week.

[Reflective60 in reply to 1968]

I suggest daily calls to the hospital - 'care worker nurse' or so called and surgeon's secretary, in tears, insisting on a date. Its unacceptable that you are still waiting nearly 4 weeks after diagnosis. Good luck.

[Reflective60 in reply to 1968]

PS - to add to my reply below...see where you are on the 62 day target to treatment (see Roy Castle reply) since hospital first received your referral (from your GP)...it sounds to me as if your hospital is on track to miss it...suggest bring that to their attention when you call.

[Molly456mandy]

It is possible to be 'fast tracked' ask your GP for a referral to a hospital that does it.

My sister was FT within a week, but she was not fit for surgery at that time and started Chemo within 14 days.

[Benjy2018]

Hi there. My experience is that no 2 areas operate the same. I was diagnosed in March last year after a biopsy in late Feb. Having said that I was initially informed in December that it may not be an infection after all despite the Consultants reassurances ! I had my surgery on 27th April. I could have had surgery 2 weeks earlier however I decided to wait for the surgeon to return from AL as he was the only one who operated using VATS. The tumour had been in place for some time and remained contained I was informed. Apologies I do not have Nice guidelines info. I finally got myself to The Brompton self advocacy is a must. Kind regards Benjy2017

[1968]

Absolutely shocked. As my recent posts, I was diagnosed on the 30th August with 2 masess on my top right lobe attached to the pleura.

Since then up to the 15th September, I've had x rays-CT scans-PET scans-bloods-lung function tests etc, since the 15th September I've called 3 times per week and chased up my pre op meeting to the Hospital assigned to the surgery but to this day all I get is, the Surgeon is in surgery today and we ain't got a date yet for your pre op meeting.

I've asked my doctor and lung cancer physian to try Chase this pre op meeting but they say its out our hands and passed to a different hospital for pre op/surgery.

Any advise