Would bad news be broken like this?

[Thatglad]

My partner had an MRI at the weekend following 2 blood tests showing raised PSA levels (prostate). The hospital have booked in a telephone call tomorrow with him to talk through the results. Would they give a worst case diagnosis over the phone?

I wouldn't worry until you have had the phone appointment. They are common now. My DH had the exact same... an MRI on prostrate and phone appointment form specialist. His results were good, not perfect, but he's on a watch program now to be checked every 6 months.

I hope it goes well for him.

Not sure but if it helps, we were called in for a meeting with the consultant and given a positive prostate cancer diagnosis once they'd done a biopsy. It was the results of the biopsy that they talked through in the meeting. I think the MRI had been inconclusive after raised PSA levels so biopsy was the next step.

Thank you both x

Someone I know found out they had a life changing illness on the hospital’s patient care app.

Equally a friend’s husband was recently told in person that he had prostate cancer.

best wishes

In the experience of a family member the MRI showed something but not conclusive. They went for a biopsy and had a face to face with the consultant after that - that's when they got the cancer diagnosis.

Until that point it seemed like a lot increasingly serious tests that never gave a diagnostic answer until the biopsy.

Thank you all. We're braced and ready for follow up investigations.

Wishing you the very very best of luck.

My husband had an MRI following raised PSA bloods and we got told the results in a phone call . The result being that he has a huge benign prostate . Hope it is all ok for your partner

Thank you all. Over the last 18 months I lost my amazing mum and dad, could do with a stroke of better luck. Fingers crossed

In my experience, if it’s over the phone it’s usually to sort out follow up diagnostics. They ask you to go in if it’s conclusive.

Hoping you get good news.

My mother in law did, but she was asked if at the time if she wanted an in person appointment or phone call when the results were in

I'd imagine if it was really really terrible news they'd tell you in person. If it's bad news but in a good position, perhaps a call. You're in the best position because things are being done, and knowledge of anything is a step in the right direction.

So sorry for your losses, you truly deserve that good luck.

My fingers are crossed x

Jumping on this thread to ask -
do they ever diagnose prostate cancer with just the MRI or do they always need a biopsy?
My DP has a phone call scheduled for tomorrow, but that was booked before he’d even had the MRI.
Best of luck, OP - I really hope you get good news.

Thank you @FortunataTagnips and everyone else.

I don't know if they would diagnose cancer from the MRI alone. It may be that if it's advanced it could be obvious.

I'm very grateful we're in the system now and in the best hands.

Just to update, my partner has had the same outcome as @mdinbc's partner. Very relived and reassured he'll be monitored.

Thank you for your good wishes and good luck to anyone going through the same x

I’m so glad you had good news, @Thatglad . You must be incredibly relieved.

@Thatglad Hi ! How is your husband doing now? We are in exactly the same situation. Consultant going to call him on Thursday