This leaflet is for patients who have received an urgent suspected cancer referral. This appointment is to confirm, or rule out, a cancer diagnosis.
Why have I been referred urgently to hospital?
You have been referred to see a hospital doctor (specialist) or to have tests because your primary care clinician (doctor (GP), nurse, dentist, optician, or pharmacist) feels your symptoms need further investigation. This is to investigate your symptoms, find out what is wrong and if it could be cancer. You can expect to be seen quickly.
Whilst this does include the possibility of cancer, most people referred in this way do not have cancer.
The signs and symptoms you have may be caused by a number of common illnesses, including suspected cancer. This is why this referral is urgent, and any appointments and tests will need to be completed within four weeks to give you an answer.
Does this mean I have cancer?
More than nine out of 10 people who are referred in this way are found to not have cancer. However, for the small number of people who are, then the earlier this is found and treated the better the results can be.
Do not delay – please give this priority and attend the first appointment offered.
What will happen next?
Your referral will be sent to the hospital who will make the appointment for you. The hospital will contact you to arrange this. The hospital may also send you additional information relating to the appointment. This will include information about any medical tests you are likely to have on the day you attend.
What should I do now?
First, you should ensure that all your contact details, including mobile number and email address are correct with your GP or dental practice. This appointment is important so you should do all you can to ensure you are available and can take the first appointment offered.
Then, you will get a letter or telephone call about your appointment.
If, within 10 days you have not heard from the hospital, please call the booking team at the relevant contact number below:
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn – 01553 613613
James Paget University Hospitals – 01493 452135
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals – 01603 286138
What will happen at the hospital?
When you have your hospital appointment you will usually see a specialist / consultant and have medical tests such as a scan or x-ray. You will be told in advance if you need to have any tests during your appointment, so please ensure you follow any instructions you are given.
The medical tests are very important to your outcome / diagnosis, so please make sure you are available to attend any appointments needed at short notice.
You are welcome to bring a friend or family member with you, which may be helpful if you have concerns or questions about what the medical team will discuss with you.
Any questions?
If you have any concerns or questions regarding your referral to hospital, you can call the number given above. Alternatively, if you have concerns regarding your symptoms, please contact the person who referred you, for example your GP, nurse, dentist, optician or pharmacist.
The way the NHS measures how long it will take from your referral to when you have your first appointment has recently changed. We used to measure the time it took from your referral to your first appointment, but now we measure the time between when you are referred to when you get the outcomes of any tests.
You can find more information on cancer standards and waiting times by visiting the Cancer Alliance webpage for cancer waiting times.
More information and support
You cand find additional support and information from the following organisations:
Information about urgent suspected cancer referrals – Cancer Research UK
Cancer information and support – Macmillan
Page last reviewed: July 2026
Review due: July 2027