Appointments
Gynaecological cancer
We offer appointments:
How to get an appointment
Ask your GP to refer you to our service.
If you have symptoms that might be caused by cancer, your GP can refer you under the 2-week wait (2WW) system. You'll be seen quicker at our rapid access clinic.
More than 9 out of 10 (90%) people referred to us through the 2WW system do not have cancer. Most have non-cancerous (benign) conditions.
Changing or cancelling your appointment
Please have your NHS or hospital number ready when contacting us. You'll be able to find this on any letter or document we have sent you.
For appointments at our rapid access clinic
- Phone: 020 7188 0902 for appointments or to reschedule your first appointment
- Email: [email protected] to reschedule a follow-up appointment
If you're going to be late for a new or follow-up appointment, please phone 020 7188 7188, extension 54177, to let us know.
For appointments in the Cancer Centre at Guy's
Before your appointment
Please bring a list of medicines you take.
If you're having a procedure, please eat and drink as normal. You may want to take a painkiller in the 2 hours before your appointment time to reduce any discomfort.
If you're having a pelvic ultrasound scan but do not want an internal scan, please tell us. You can have a transabdominal scan instead.
If you are or think you may be pregnant, please tell us when you arrive for your appointment.
Before having any invasive procedure to the womb, we'll ask you to provide a urine (pee) sample for routine pregnancy testing. You will not have to provide a urine sample if your periods have stopped for 12 full months.
Your appointment is a good chance to ask any questions you have about your condition and treatment. It can be useful to write these down before your appointment, and list them in order of importance. Bring a pen and paper so you can write down the answers.
If you do not understand any of the answers, please ask us to explain again.
You can bring a friend or relative to your appointment for support. This will also help you take in all of the information.
We try to make sure that we see you at your appointment time, but sometimes delays happen. Please come prepared in case a delay occurs on the day of your appointment.
During your appointment
We are a teaching hospital. Students may be present at your appointment. If you do not want students there, please let us know. We'll always respect your wishes and it will not affect your treatment.
Gynaecology rapid access clinic
Please allow up to 3 hours for your visit.
During your appointment you may have a range of diagnostic tests. A doctor or advanced nurse practitioner may examine you. Our nurse specialists may also be there to support you.
The tests you have will depend on your symptoms, but you may have:
- an abdominal and pelvic examination
- speculum examination of your vagina
- ultrasound scan
- colposcopy
- vulvoscopy, an examination of your outer genitals using magnification
- hysteroscopy, you may have this at your first appointment
- biopsy
- blood tests
If you need a procedure, we might do this on the same day or arrange another appointment. This will usually be within 1 to 2 weeks. We'll discuss if you need a local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic. If you're having a general anaesthetic, we'll ask you to come to a pre-assessment appointment before your procedure.
If you need other tests or a follow-up appointment, we'll arrange these for you. They will usually be within 2 weeks.
Sometimes we can tell you your results on the same day. If you have a biopsy, it can take a few weeks to get the result.
We will send a letter with your results to you and your GP. We may also phone you or arrange a face-to-face appointment in the clinic.
If we discharge you but your symptoms get worse or come back after 3 months, please see your GP in the first instance.
Ovarian scan clinic
Please allow up to 2 hours for your visit.
You'll usually have a blood test and pelvic ultrasound scan first.
If your pelvic ultrasound scan comes back normal, but your symptoms continue for a month or more, please see your GP again.
You may need other tests and scans. These may include:
- removing a small sample of cells or fluid from your ovaries (needle biopsy)
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- PET scan
- chest X-ray
We may offer you routine follow-up surveillance appointments to check for any changes in your ovaries. We offer these especially if you've gone through the menopause.
We'll give you your results by letter, phone or at a face-to-face appointment.
Appointments at the Cancer Centre at Guy's
You'll see a member of our gynaecological cancer team. Sometimes a nurse specialist will also join your appointment.
After your appointment
We'll send you and your GP a letter saying what we talked about at your appointment and what the next steps are in your treatment.
It is important to us that you feel involved in the decisions being made about your care and treatment. After your examination, the doctor or clinic nurse can answer any questions. Please ask if you have not understood anything that has been said.
If you need any clinical advice, support or guidance between appointments, please call your nurse specialist, phone: 020 7188 2707.
Your nurse specialist may be able to help by:
- answering your questions and offering written information about your cancer and treatment
- offering emotional and practical support and advice
- helping you to manage any symptoms or side effects of treatment
- offering advice on how to access extra support at home
- supporting you with financial concerns
- offering support to friends, relatives and partners
- referring you for extra support and complementary therapies
Last updated: July 2024
