"Concerns related to my hysteroscopy"

I had a post menopausal bleed and my referral on the cancer pathway was very quick, however, after my internal scan I was booked for a hysteroscopy and in the information sheet (that I eventually received) it was suggested that I take paracetamol. The leaflet also said that they like to avoid general anaesthetic for this procedure. I should have been offered anaesthetic and it should been explained to me that because of my personal situation, it would be better for me to have anaesthetic. However, I had to insist and only knew that this could be an option because of the campaign against painful hysteroscopy group.

I found out through the campaign that 25 to 30% of people going for this procedure suffer INTENSE pain, on a scale of 7-10 out of 10, but the leaflet indicates that I  might suffer some discomfort. Apparently, because of other issues, which I explained at the appointment, I stood a very high risk of being in that 25-30% group.

The consultant told me that they needed to do a biopsy; I asked if they thought  I had cancer and they replied that they needed to do a biopsy. I was given the impression that I needed that ASAP but if I wanted a general anaesthetic, I'd have to wait for an indeterminate period of time, maybe two months.

I have found out that the target for the cancer pathway is 62 days from first referral, to actual treatment. I was referred mid August, but by the time I'd had my hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic, it was mid November and mid December before I found out that I didn't have cancer. What if I had? Why wasn't I told, officially, before arriving at my original appointment that the potential for severe pain was so high? Why was I made to feel as if I was a nuisance for insisting on anaesthetic? Why was I told, by the appointments desk that my wait could be over a year? Why was it so difficult to get through to anyone on the telephone?