If you think you may have mesothelioma, you will need to see your GP. Your GP will ask you questions about your symptoms, the kind of work you have done, and your lifestyle. She or he will check your medical history to see what illnesses you have had in the past. He or she may want to examine your chest or abdomen.

If your GP decides the condition is suspicious, she or he may then arrange for you to have a chest X-ray. If the X-ray is abnormal, or your GP is still concerned despite a normal X-ray, she or he may send you to see a specialist respiratory (lung) doctor at a nearby hospital. There are NHS cancer referral guidelines to help GPs decide who needs to see a specialist, and how quickly.

At hospital you will be asked to give a detailed history of all your jobs. The following are tests you might have:

Results
You should have the results given to you in person within two weeks (depending on which tests you have had), usually at the hospital. You will be given a follow-up appointment before you leave the hospital. Occasionally, some tests may need to be repeated to get a sure diagnosis. Your doctor or clinical nurse specialist will discuss your results with you.

Your medical team’s cancer nurse specialist will be able to answer many of your questions and signpost you to further sources of support.

Your consent
Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent.