Had a completely shitty week and need GP advice.

[Dupont666]

Had a stty few weeks with my mum telling me she has cancer, but not that bad as it was caught early, also other friends have had run in with cancer and one with ruptured appendix all with in 3 weeks.

Now find out that my twin brother has had a lump taking out of his shoulder (thought to be a blood clot due to a hockey injury a few months ago), now they have come back and said its cancerous and a very rare form, the fact it popped out means its more than likely not attached and infected anything and so is a very good sign.

Now just waiting to find out what it is and what the next step is (more than likely cur more of the shoulder away), now here comes the bad bit.

Cause I have the same genetic makeup (being a twin) I also have been thinking about needing to get a complete check up just in case its his genetic makeup that made him likely to get it.

I have no GP in London due to one with spaces in their lists being rare as rocking horse st and now want to know what I can do about getting checked out and getting tests to make sure im clear if he does find out its a gentic trait.

So ideas please, dont care about private or NHS checking, I just want to get the ball rolling asap if I find out tomorrow what i dont want to hear.

They reckon there is nothing to worry about as it was growing on a blood clot he had from an injury, but nevertheless im wanting to be prepared.

Not good when Im only 30 and birthday is only 3 weeks away

[loafer123]

Sorry to hear all that.

I have an "MOT" done every year.

We used to use Nuffield, but now use Bupa. Both are much of a muchness.

There is an uber-version - I'll try and find it and report back.

ETA - Try these guys http://www.londonmedical.co.uk/page1/136/

It appears they do specific cancer checks if requested...

Edited by loafer123 on Sunday 21st June 16:30

[Jasandjules]

A bad week or two indeed.

If you want a check-up, your GP can refer you to a private hospital and they will screen/scan/poke/prod for anything you want quite frankly.

[bigandclever]

I personally haven't used this bunch, and they are (I think) monstrously expensive, but ... http://www.samedaydoctor.co.uk/medical_services.as...

[Dupont666]

if it comes down to it, money is no option to get a clean bill of health...

[Jasandjules]

Dupont666 said:

if it comes down to it, money is no option to get a clean bill of health...

Then your GP will be happy to refer you to a private hospital for any tests you want.

[randlemarcus]

On the plus side, you may as well smoke

BUPA offer a whole bunch of health checks, which I'm sure will include things like tests for cancer markers in blood and DNA. Give em a ring, or , as suggested, ask your GP.

[bigandclever]

Dupont666 said:

I have no GP in London due to one with spaces in their lists being rare as rocking horse st

http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx?ServiceType=GP

There are hundreds of GP's taking on new patients. You'll never be able to get an appointment, but still...

[davido140]

bigandclever said:

Dupont666 said:

I have no GP in London due to one with spaces in their lists being rare as rocking horse st

http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx?ServiceType=GP

There are hundreds of GP's taking on new patients. You'll never be able to get an appointment, but still...

If you're having trouble getting a local practice to accept you write a letter to your local health authority, they will sort it for you, all in the patients charter.

As B&C points out, you'll still have to wait a fortnight for an appointment..

[Dupont666]

davido140 said:

bigandclever said:

Dupont666 said:

I have no GP in London due to one with spaces in their lists being rare as rocking horse st

http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx?ServiceType=GP

There are hundreds of GP's taking on new patients. You'll never be able to get an appointment, but still...

If you're having trouble getting a local practice to accept you write a letter to your local health authority, they will sort it for you, all in the patients charter.

As B&C points out, you'll still have to wait a fortnight for an appointment..

was hoping the fact that I can state my twin brother has got the genetic marker (hoping he hasnt) that i can get seen earlier.

[thepeoplespal]

davido140 said:

bigandclever said:

Dupont666 said:

I have no GP in London due to one with spaces in their lists being rare as rocking horse st

http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx?ServiceType=GP

There are hundreds of GP's taking on new patients. You'll never be able to get an appointment, but still...

If you're having trouble getting a local practice to accept you write a letter to your local health authority, they will sort it for you, all in the patients charter.

As B&C points out, you'll still have to wait a fortnight for an appointment..

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/choices/Pages/Aboutpatientchoice.aspx
Is the website you can find yourself a GP - stick your postcode details and you will get details of locations of a GP near you.

While it might take two weeks to get an appointment with the GP you normally see (your GP), you should be seen within 48 hours (working days wise) by your GP Practice if you are prepared to see any available GP. If you are regularly getting knocked back on 48 hour access and you are prepared to see *any* GP, then make a complaint to your local PCT.

Not all GP Practices are the same, my practice got over 90% for 48 hour access and even higher for advance booking and it is in a big city, in a recent unreleased MORI poll.

[drjazz]

You do not want to spend a dime for now. The first thing you need to know is the specific histological diagnosis that your brother has. This refers to the specific type of cancer as diagnosed by looking at it under the microscope. Then get your brother to ask his docs the implications for you as his twin brother, and if specific screening tests are indicated. For some female types of cancer with a strong family prevelance there are specific genetic blood tests, but you will probably find that there is no genetic association with the type of cancer your brother has. If there is then his oncologist should know what tests would be relevant for you. Much better to follow this rational approach than get lots of general blood tests from a private clinic, most of which are almost certainly going to be normal if you yourself are a fit 30 yr old.

[HUW JONES]

^^^What he said.