Hello,
I’m just wondering whether anybody has had a GP Cancer Care Review at any point in their treatment? I gather they’re contracted to give them at 3 months after diagnosis and 12 months - not sure about the exact rule. However, only one person I know (out of the metastatic group I’m in) has ever had one. I asked my GP for one and was put on a waiting list (I was diagnosed in March 2024 and there hasn’t been much interest from them).
Anybody had more luck?
Hi @blueparakeet, I had a cancer care review with my GP after finishing my active treatment. It was initiated by the GP surgery. It was a 30 minute ( triple appointment) but wasn’t in any way rushed. It was a proper holistic appointment covering all aspects of my health. The GP I saw also said to ask for her again if I needed another. I should also add that my local GP practice is really excellent but am aware I am very lucky in this respect x
Yes, my GP practice contacted me three months after surgery and offered this. x
My practice (a fairly large group) has a cancer liaison person. She contacted me soon after my initial surgery and arranged follow ups every few months initially. I am metastatic but in remission. Once I achieved remission we stopped the regular calls but I am free to contact her at any time. There didn’t seem any benefit in seeing one of the GPs as I have remained under the care of my oncology consultant. Whenever I do need to see a GP for anything else, I start the request by mentioning I have metastatic cancer. It works wonders for getting triage priority.
Hi Blueparakeet, my experience was very similar to that of Tulip29, my GP called me for a cancer care review about three weeks after I finished radiotherapy for a stage 2 NH lymphoma on my neck and I’m so glad he did. During my appointment I asked if I could be referred for a mammogram as I am seventy six and you are no longer called after the age of seventy. He said that would not be possible unless I had found a lump. I told him that I hadn’t found a lump but was experiencing some slight pain. He immediately referred me to the Royal Marsden and I was very quickly diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy the week before Christmas and start radiotherapy next week. I’d push for that review if I was you!
Hi there
The GP who referred me to the breast clinic did one with me just after diagnosis and she also called me 5 days after my surgery on 18th December last year. Not heard anything since though.
All the best x
Hi my treatment was ten years ago and I was given am appointment which they said was for any of their patients who had been diagnosed with a long-term serious condition, but they didn’t call it a cancer care review, so not sure if it was the same thing. They asked me what my experience of care had been so far from the hospitals and just kind of reassured me that they were there for me, asking if there was anything i needed.
Yes, my GP arranged a telephone consultation for a cancer care review about 12 months after my diagnosis, just after I finished active treatment. Was a general chat about how I was and how I was coping with medication. Encouraged me to contact her again if I had any health concerns at all. GP surgery has generally been very good and supportive.
Very interested in this as I am 3 years post diagnosis & have never been offered one. Oncology & GP seems very separate.
Where are you all based? England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales?
Hi, yes, like you I am nearly 3 years post diagnosis and not had one. Not seen my GP at all since that initial diagnosis. I live in Scotland.
My BC was found at routine mammography, in 2021.
I was never offered a GP appt to discuss anything involved in my treatment then.
I have also had a local reoccurance in 2023 resulting in a mastectomy, again my GP practise has not offered any appointment to discuss this.
I’m in Herts, England.
This is interesting. They’re saying that they did do one, but it was a phonecall. I don’t remember getting a serious phonecall about anything. Somebody from a charity phoned about benefits (I’m not eligible for anything, I don’t think), but not about health concerns. Different GPs seem to be implementing very different policies. Maybe part of the problem is that the CQC has said it should aim to coincide with the end of treatment. So I don’t know what metastatic patients are supposed to expect….
I’m in Wales and was diagnosed in May 2023, active treatment finished September 2024 but was called by oncology every 3 months due to issues with aromatase inhibitors.
My GP has never mentioned a cancer care review, so unsure if this is England only. Wales seems to do everything different just to be different. I had a recent scare and contacted my breast care nurse and was called in to be reviewed just over two weeks later. Everything was ok.
I have been to the GP a few times but anytime I mentioned cancer they just say to contact oncology or breast surgery team. I did see a young locum doctor for chest infection and he did mention the risk of blood clots due to cancer diagnosis.
Maybe I will contact them and see if it happens in Wales?
I’m in England (West Yorkshire). Have had a 15 minute cancer care review on phone at 12 months post diagnosis. Also had a letter from GP immediately after diagnosis saying they were sorry to hear of my cancer diagnosis and encouraging me to contact them if I needed any help. Been very impressed with their care.
I had one recently after 2 years being diagnosed. They wanted a quick update on what was ahead but they get copied in on all my letters from the Marsden. They focused more on what support I needed and if they could do anything to help.
Nothing from my GP (Wales) just the breast care unit and oncology (a couple of odd things were detected during routine bloods)
Hi all. Re the Cancer Care Review, all GP services are required to contact their patients at time of diagnosis to offer an appointment by phone or F2F to discuss current health, worries and offer support. CQC does look at this within the Surgery when they inspect. Your Breast team at the hospital should also have offered a Holistic Needs Care Plan. I was offered both of these by October 2023 diagnosed August 2023. My GP surgery rang and asked if I would like to talk to the GP of my choice, I accepted as my cancer was found by routine screening and I had some questions with regards to some blood tests earlier in the year which had been abnormal but hospital unable to confirm why. Obviously it was the BC, trying to get attention. The Breast Team rang within weeks to chat and advise of my Care and what they woukd do to help me, this was before surgery.
Can I just say to those whose GP surgery hasn’t contacted them, the surgery, is not up to date with protocols as they actually get paid for each Cancer Care Review, I dealt with this at work(GP Surgery). Its noted on my notes that I should have instant access. Please ensure this is noted on your records. I was seen yesterday within 2hours, as I contacted the Surgery after struggling with a bad chest for two weeks. Excellent service from mine so far.
Thanks that’s really helpful.
I did contact my GP via an online form the other day and put my ongoing rib pain symptoms which were possible Red Flags of spread of BC and I had an appointment within a couple of hours. The GP I saw once before in December with a chest infection was very thorough, explained everything, all possibilities and which tests he would be asking for. I should kick myself as I had been at the breast unit for a lump near my collarbone which was fatty fibrosis tissue but I forget to mention the rib pain.
I’m hoping my records will be marked for instant access. I will check next time.
Good luck. Life is such a minefield with BC. Sending positive vibes.
I had a call after diagnosis but that was it. I’m not knowingly metastatic but to be honest even if I was, I wouldn’t want one. I’m the sort of person that only goes to the doctors if I have too. The follow up team at the hospital look after me (although can be hard to get hold of them at times). I don’t want my GP bothering me as well. Recently completed a survey following treatment and this was asked and I said the same, didn’t have one and don’t want one. X