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© 2026 Barnsley Cancer Information

Home
Our Story
Cancer Teams
Where to Find Us
Early Signs and Symptoms
Screening
Making a Diagnosis
Treatment
Ongoing Care
Recurring Symptoms
Palliative Care
End of Life
Health and Wellbeing
Carers
The Well
Information POD
Charities and Support Groups
Personalised Care
Barnsley Cancer Action Group
Contact

© 2026 Barnsley Cancer Information

  • Cancer Information
  • Making a Diagnosis

Making a Diagnosis

Worries about Cancer

People worry about cancer for many different reasons. Perhaps someone close to you has been diagnosed, or you may have worries about cancer.

You might have recently visited your GP, Dentist or Optometrist with something you are worried about.  Patients with symptoms and signs that may indicate cancer are referred on an Urgent Cancer Referral to Barnsley Hospital. The referral might take up to 3 days to process but you should hear within a couple of weeks.
Urgent Cancer Pathway Referral team
They have many different staff who are all part of the process, to ensure the medical teams have all the necessary information. they need to ensure the right bit is discussed at a large multi-disciplinary meeting. Included in this team is the Urgent Cancer Pathway Facilitators, Multi-disciplinary Team co-coordinators, administration staff, trackers, navigators and the Cancer Manager.
Please view the video to seek further guidance and reassurance.
What is cancer?

Our bodies are made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Inside every cell is a set of genes. Genes are the instructions the cell needs to work properly.

The instructions send signals to cells to grow and divide and make new cells. This is how our bodies grow and heal.

Sometimes genes in the cell can develop changes. If a gene is changed, it may not give the correct instructions anymore. A change in a gene is called a gene variant or mutation.
Gene variants in a cell may stop the cell working normally. Cancer may develop if cells like this multiply in an abnormal way and grow out of control. Over time, these cells can grow into a lump called a tumour.

This video helps you to understand what cancer is, how cancer starts and how the lymphatic system works.

This video helps you to understand what cancer is, how cancer starts and how the lymphatic system works.

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