A service that allows people to self-refer themselves for a vital womb cancer diagnostic test has reached its one year milestone.
The post-menopausal bleeding service in Somerset was hailed as a game-changer for those experiencing bleeding after they’ve reached menopause.
Before the service was introduced, patients had to wait around 63 days to be seen by a hospital specialist, and then a possible wait of up to 48 days for a cancer diagnosis.
Thanks to the new service, the wait to see a specialist has reduced to just five days, and patients are getting a cancer diagnosis within 22 days of the referral.
A total of 375 patients referred so far have met the criteria for the service, which means they’re contacted by the NHS within 24 hours for an appointment.
It has also resulted in 13 patients being diagnosed with cancer at an earlier point in time, helping to ensure there are more treatment options available to them.
Since the service began, there has been a significant increase in the number of patients in Somerset being given a cancer diagnosis, or an all-clear result, within 28 days of their referral.
This has increased from just 41% for gynaecology in April 2023 to 76.6% in August 2024, and it was as high as 84% in March 2024.
Womb cancer, also known as endometrial cancer, is one of the most common cancers that affects older women, and those with a womb, who’ve been through the menopause.
The main symptom of womb cancer is vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge after menopause. Those who aren’t using contraception or HRT who’ve not had a period for over 12 months, are classed as being post-menopausal.
This type of cancer is normally treated with a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the womb), with generally positive clinical outcomes, if found at an early stage.
Traditionally, people used to contact their GP if they had concerns about vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge after the menopause.
This service – a first of its kind in the UK – means that if a person isn’t currently on HRT, or stopped taking HRT at least six weeks ago, they can self-refer via the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust website ( www.somersetft.nhs.uk ), or by calling the trust’s gynaecology booking team.
Mr David Milliken, a consultant gynaecological oncologist at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Since the new service has gone live, we have seen a steady increase in the number of people self-referring themselves to the service. Our aim is to see up to 50 patients a week in one of the clinics we have established across Somerset.
Mr David Milliken – consultant gynaecological oncologist and clinical lead for cancer at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
“We continue to see a year-on-year increase in referrals to our gynaecology cancer services for those who potentially have cancer – mainly those who’re experiencing post-menopausal bleeding.
“We know that our GP colleagues have tended to refer their patients to our service if they have post-menopausal bleeding symptoms anyway, so by allowing patients to access our service direct via a self-referral, we have reduced the wait to see a specialist from an average of 63 days to 5 days.
“Our aim is to avoid any unnecessary delays and ensure patients have an appointment much sooner. It also has the added bonus of freeing up our GP colleagues to see patients with other conditions.
“The idea is that if anyone has symptoms and wants to be seen, they can either access our service through our website, or by calling us.
“Whichever route a patient takes to reach us, they get asked a number of questions to determine whether our service is right for them, or whether we need to direct them to their GP practice.
“So far, 96% patient who have filled in a survey after their appointment has said that they were very satisfied with their overall experience.
“Over the past 12 months we have continued to refine and improve our online self-referral form with a company called C the Signs. This has allowed us to look at which other suspected cancer pathways can implement self-referral pathways.”
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust continues to offer appointments at one of the clinics set up across the whole of Somerset. Appointments are available at Yeovil Hospital, as well as the community hospitals in Bridgwater, Minehead, South Petherton, Wellington, West Mendip (Glastonbury) and Wincanton.
Mr Milliken added: “Patients are offered a single appointment that covers a consultation with a clinician, ultrasound and outpatient appointment, instead of three separate appointments as before.
“We hope this service is helping to reassure the majority of people more quickly and help identify those who do need further treatment sooner. Patients being seen via this service have seen a reduction in the wait to receive a cancer diagnosis from 48 days down to a 22 day wait.
“We continue to raise awareness of womb cancer symptoms, and encouraging those in this age range to come forward sooner, so we can potentially diagnose cancer sooner and give them a chance of a better outcome.
“Our advice to people who are experiencing post-menopausal bleeding is to make a self-referral as soon as possible by going to the Somerset FT website (https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/cancer/cancer-services/post-menopausal-bleeding/) and filling out a referral form, or call our booking office on 01823 213567.”