Scan in cancer centre?

[Blossomworld]

Sorry not a real aibu but I’m worried.
Would you be sent for a CT scan in a cancer centre if they didn’t suspect you had cancer?
Not me but a family member.
Receptionist rang me as next of kin to inform me of a slight appointment change. I confirmed which hospital it was, as we have 2 nearby and she said “yes the ...... hospital cancer centre”. Putting aside that breach in confidentiality there, should I be worried? Asked my relative who claims cancer has never been mentioned so they assume it’s just where the equipment is. But it’s a big main hospital, they will have CT scanners in the actual hospital. The cancer centre is a seperate building next door.

Yes OP, try not to worry, this can happen if the cancer hospital scanner has free appt slots and the main hospital doesn't.

Re breach of confidentiality, it's a bit tricky as you'll be amazed at how many patients cannot be contacted by any way other than by mail, in 2021!

There'll be a landline number which is out of date, or a mobile which is one digit too short, or the number given will be the daughter's!

In my Trust we have 5 CT scanners and 3 MRIs and we're farming out requests to private companies left, right and centre. Often chopping and changing on a daily basis.

One place has 'cancer centre' in its title!

Its not impossible that the machine in the other hospital has broken down/getting upgrade etc... and that they are therefore using the other one in the meantime.

I have my scans all over my trust, wherever they have availability.

I've had a scan in the cancer centre which was nothing to do with cancer, just where they had availability so definitely possible

I've had scans wherever they can fit me in, recently in an empty covid Nightingale hospital. It's probably just where they have slots available.

I’ve had scans & endoscopies done in the oncology wing of my local hospital. Suspected dodgy gallbladder, not cancer.

My daughter had scans and all her follow up appointments in the cancer centre. She didn't have cancer.

I am currently being investigated for cancer (I think it's unlikely, but yes, it's part of the investigation). My CT scan was in a hospital an hour away because it was the fastest appointment they could make. I wouldn't necessarily be worried (except about the data breach!) as my booking letter very clearly stated that all the CT scanning facilities are sharing patients so they can work through the current backlog. It's also possible that it's a certain type of scan that isn't done everywhere and they have the specific facilities, even if it's not for cancer.

It's not a breach of confidentiality to tell you where the appointment is as i assume there is a 'good' reason they were contacting you not the patient.

I have had scans in the cancer centre and nothing to do with cancer. Our hospital does point out in the appointment letter not to be alarmed that it is just where the appointment is available.

A&E once ordered an emergency scan of my knee. I was taken off in a wheelchair and was completely shocked to be wheeled into the EPU!

My OH once had an ultrasound scan in the maternity dept at our local hospital. It didn't mean he was pregnant!

I am aware of a standard ct scanner in a cancer centre. By standard I mean not specifically for cancer patients. It's just where an appropriate room was and the hospital needed the space for the scanner more than the cancer centre did

Ok thanks for the replies, I can stop worrying now