Non-site-specific cancer pathway
Date issued: May 2026
Review date: May 2029
Leaflet section: Acute Medicine
PDF: Non-site-specific cancer pathway.pdf [pdf] 144KB
You have been referred for further investigations at Derriford hospital to the Non-Site-Specific Cancer Pathway. Whilst this does not mean that you have cancer, the symptoms and history you have reported to your GP are suspicious enough to warrant “fast tracking”. This will involve either:
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A planned appointment to be booked by the Non-Site-Specific Cancer Pathway Navigator who will contact you to arrange this.
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Or a same day appointment with the team in the Medical SDEC Unit.
Why have you been referred?
Your GP has found you have one or more non-specific symptoms. These symptoms are called “non-specific” as they affect the whole person. Early tests could help make a diagnosis quicker and treatment started sooner.
What are the most common investigations?
We might organise further blood tests, ultrasound scans, CT scans or endoscopies. Please be aware you won’t get results back on the same day. If you need a CT, the CT scanner is an open design (not a tunnel).
What happens after your appointment?
We will then be in touch over the phone about the next steps- normally within 1-3 weeks. All Patients are discussed in our multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting where we meet with various specialist across the hospital to discuss your case and decide on best next steps.
Who can you contact?
Once we have received the referral from your GP and all your pre referral test results (such as blood and stool sample), we will be in touch with you to make an appointment.
Please be aware that this process may take several hours or the full day
A careful review of your case will take place, and you will be offered an appointment to discuss the results within 3 to 7 days.
Please contact us if you haven’t had a follow up call in 3 weeks
Contact Details
Non-Site-Specific Patient Navigator - Gemma Fisher
Advanced Clinical Practitioner - Anna Prout
Tel No: 01752 431315
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Mobile: 07584 186518
Any day except weekends - if no answer please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Email: plh-tr.rapiddiagnosisservice@nhs.net
Where to find us
Non-Site-specific Cancer Pathway team are based on the Medical SDEC unit on level 6 at Derriford hospital.
More information about Derriford Hospital is available online via AccessAble. This includes info about accessibility, photos of entrances / lifts / stairs / toilets etc detail about parking. Go to AccessAble Derriford Hospital
Other formats
If you need this leaflet in another format such as Braille, large print, high contrast, British Sign Language or translated into another language, contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS):
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01752 439694
