Health · England
Getting ready for tests and cancer care
Your browser or device provides the reading voice.
A test can help doctors understand your health.
Having a test does not always mean you have cancer.
Ask about the test
Ask what the test is for.
Ask staff to explain each step.
A blood test takes a small sample of blood.
Tell staff if needles worry you.
A scan takes pictures inside your body.
Ask what you will see, hear and feel.
A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue for testing.
Ask about pain relief and care afterwards.
Prepare and ask for support
Ask for instructions you can understand.
Check whether you need to change anything before the test.
Tell staff what helps you feel comfortable.
You can ask for extra time or a trusted supporter.
Ask about your choices.
Staff must help you take part in decisions.
Agree how you will ask staff to pause.
Tell them if something hurts.
Results and next steps
Ask when and how you will get your result.
Ask who will explain what it means.
You may feel worried if you are told about cancer.
Ask for support and time to ask questions.
Ask who will help with your treatment and everyday needs.
Ask who to contact if you become unwell.
Use the blank page to prepare your questions.
Keep the hospital’s instructions with you.
What you can do next
Macmillan has illustrated guides you can read with someone.
Use the blank page to prepare for your own appointment.
Find Easy Read information about tests and cancer Web pageEasy ReadFree bookletsThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- Macmillan: Easy Read tests and cancer care Web pageEasy ReadFree booklets
Illustrated booklets about tests, results, treatment, feelings and practical support; free copies are available.
- Macmillan: getting equal healthcare Web pageEasy ReadFree booklet
Easy Read information about accessible cancer care.
- NHS: blood tests Web page
Preparation, what happens and asking about results.
- NHS: MRI scans Web page
What to tell the team and what a scan may involve.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Preparing for tests and getting accessible cancer care
Understand blood tests, scans, biopsies, results and support if cancer is diagnosed.
Children and adults · England · Tests, preparation and cancer support
Ask what the test is for
A test may investigate symptoms, monitor a condition or check how treatment is working. Ask which question it should answer and what it cannot show. Tests such as blood tests, scans and biopsies are used for many conditions, not only cancer. Ask about benefits, risks, alternatives and what could happen without the test.
Blood tests
A clinician takes a small blood sample, often using a needle in the arm. Different tests answer different questions. Tell the team if needles are frightening, you have fainted before or you need help to keep comfortable. Ask what support is possible and whether someone you choose can attend. Only fast or change medicines if the responsible team has specifically instructed you.
Scans and the equipment around you
CT and MRI scans take pictures inside the body using different methods. MRI equipment can be noisy and enclosed, and you may need to stay still. Ask for pictures of the room, a description of the sounds and a way to communicate with staff. Tell the scanning team about implants, metal, pregnancy possibilities and allergies. Let them decide what precautions are needed; do not assume another person’s scan instructions apply.
Biopsies and other samples
A biopsy removes a small sample of tissue or cells for examination. The method depends on the body area. Ask whether pain relief, local anaesthetic, sedation or a general anaesthetic is proposed and what each means for you. Request an explanation of aftercare, transport and support at home. A biopsy is an investigation, not confirmation that someone has cancer.
Prepare for your own appointment
Contact the service beforehand about communication, sensory, mobility and personal-care needs. Ask about extra time, a suitable appointment time, a quieter waiting space or a familiarisation visit. Take your medicines list, allergies, communication information and relevant care plans. Check instructions about eating, drinking and medicines with the team; do not guess if the letter is unclear.
Make a plan for worry and distress
Explain what has been difficult before and what helps now. Agree how you will show pain, ask a question or request a pause. Supporters should speak with you and avoid unexpected touching or pressure. If the planned approach is not working, ask the clinical team to reconsider support and alternatives. Sedation or other additional treatment needs its own clinical assessment and appropriate consent process.
Understand consent and decision support
Ask for information in manageable parts and enough time to consider it. Adults with capacity decide whether to accept or refuse a test; they can withdraw consent. Learning disability does not by itself remove capacity. Where capacity for the specific decision is lacking, the team must follow the applicable legal process and involve the person. Children need age-appropriate involvement and consent arrangements. A support worksheet is not consent.
Know how results will reach you
Ask who will explain the result, how you will hear from them and when to follow up if nothing arrives. Request an accessible explanation of technical words and the next steps. Further tests may be needed even when an earlier result was reassuring or unclear. Tell the team if symptoms change while waiting; a future appointment is not a reason to delay urgent help.
If you are told you have cancer
Ask the team to explain the type of cancer, what is known so far and what still needs investigation. You can ask for another conversation, accessible information and someone you choose to be there. Find out who your main contact is. Macmillan has Easy Read resources co-created with people with learning disabilities, including receiving results, treatment and feelings.
Plan treatment and support around your life
Ask about treatment choices, likely benefits, side effects and practical help. Discuss communication, travel, food, medicines, personal care, work and people important to you. Request written instructions about urgent symptoms and daytime and out-of-hours contacts. Tell the team about worries concerning costs or emotional wellbeing. A learning disability must not be used as a blanket reason to deny accessible care.
After a test or treatment
Follow the particular aftercare instructions you have been given. Ask what discomfort is expected and what needs urgent attention. After a biopsy, worsening pain, fever, or blood or fluid oozing from the wound needs prompt advice from the team or NHS 111. Redness or swelling at the wound also needs advice. For life-threatening deterioration, call 999. Keep the result, follow-up date and agreed support together; the optional worksheet can help you prepare questions.
Words you could use
“Please explain the test, agree support and a way for me to ask you to pause, and tell me how I will get the result.”
More useful links
- Macmillan: Easy Read tests and cancer care Web pageEasy ReadFree booklets
Illustrated booklets about tests, results, treatment, feelings and practical support; free copies are available.
- Macmillan: getting equal healthcare Web pageEasy ReadFree booklet
Easy Read information about accessible cancer care.
- NHS: blood tests Web page
Preparation, what happens and asking about results.
- NHS: MRI scans Web page
What to tell the team and what a scan may involve.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 1 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- NHS: blood tests Web page
Reasons for tests, preparation, needle worries and results.
- NHS: CT scans Web page
Scans, preparation and individual safety information.
- NHS: MRI scans Web page
Noise, positioning, implants, anxiety and results.
- NHS: biopsy Web page
Samples, anaesthesia, aftercare and urgent symptoms.
- NHS: consent to treatment Web pageFuller information
Voluntary informed consent, questions and withdrawing consent.
- GOV.UK: checking mental capacity Web page
Capacity for a particular decision and communication support.
- Macmillan: support to understand information Web page
Accessible formats, reasonable adjustments, supporters and communication needs.
- Macmillan: Easy Read cancer information Web pageEasy ReadFree booklets
Co-created resources covering tests, treatment, practical needs and feelings.
- Macmillan: equal healthcare in Easy Read Web pageEasy ReadFree booklet
Accessible cancer care for people with learning disabilities.
- NHS: when to call 999 Web page
Life-threatening emergencies.
A page for you to fill in
You can type your answers and download a copy.
You can also print a page to write or draw on.
Someone you trust can help you.