Why we have referred you
This clinic is for patients who experience symptoms which are difficult to diagnose. These symptoms may include non-specific tummy (abdominal) pain, unexplained weight loss, persistent tiredness or loss of appetite.
If we refer you to this clinic, it does not mean you have cancer. Most patients we refer do not have cancer.
If patients have specific symptoms that suggest a particular cancer, we will already have referred them to the appropriate clinic.
If you have questions about the reason for your referral, contact the doctor who referred you.
Preparing for your appointment
Your GP may already have arranged some tests for you, such as blood tests, X-rays or an ultrasound.
Your first appointment with us will be a face-to-face consultation with a doctor or nurse at Kingston Hospital.
Bring to your appointment
- a list of your current medication(s)
- any medical letters or reports about care from other hospitals, that you think may be useful for us to see.
Your appointment
Report to the main Kingston Hospital Outpatient Reception when you arrive.
At your appointment, a doctor or nurse will ask you questions about your health. They may decide to arrange further investigations, depending on your symptoms.
These might include:
- blood tests
- imaging tests such as CT scans (to take detailed pictures of the inside of your body)
- endoscopy (a procedure where we use a thin flexible tube with a camera on the end to look at organs inside your body)
- other tests.
Sometimes, no additional tests are needed.
The choice about tests will be a shared decision between you and your doctor or nurse. They will talk to you about the risks, benefits and procedures of each type of test they recommend for you.
After your appointment
There are several possible outcomes.
- We may reassure you and discharge you from the clinic with some advice. We will send a letter to you and your GP with the outcome, and any further actions suggested.
- If you need further tests, we may telephone you or ask you to come back to the clinic to discuss the results. You will have the chance to ask us questions. The decision about what happens next will be based on your preferences. We will work closely with your GP to ensure your care is managed together with your other individual medical and support needs.
- If your symptoms suggest a specific cancer or non-cancerous condition which requires specialist advice, we will directly refer you to the appropriate speciality team.
More information
For more information about our clinic, visit Kingston Hospital Rapid Diagnostic Cancer Clinic.
Contact information
Rapid diagnostic cancer clinic, Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm