If you thought a GP had missed your cancer would you do anything about it?

[namechange0998776554799000]

I've just been diagnosed with cancer and apparently have a 7cm tumour in my chest. My main symptom is chest pain, which I went to the GP about in 2016. She did a blood test, which found I was anaemic, and an ECG which wasn't normal but which she said was probably because my large chest was making it difficult for the sensors to get a reading. At the appointment to discuss the results, I distinctly remember her saying 'I don't know what's causing your chest pain'. I chalked it up to being fat/unhealthy/a stressed out mum and have lived with the pain ever since. It's got steadily worse to the point I couldn't stand it any more and went back to the GP a couple of weeks ago. He ordered blood tests, X-ray, then CT scan and overall it looks like I now have pretty advanced cancer. I honestly don't know if it's realistic that I've been living with this for 7 years but I understand that lymphoma can be very slow growing for a long time and then suddenly ramp up. It's a question I'll ask the consultant when I get an appointment (I'm only at early diagnostic stage so far).
I don't have access to my medical records from 2016 and need to figure out to get them, because I'd like to know if the blood tests at the time should have indicated anything more serious or if the GP should have followed up any further. But maybe I just need to let it go? What would you do? The GP in question has since retired and this is not necessarily about making a complaint - definitely not about compensation - more just about me wanting to know.

My breast cancer was also missed, or rather they failed to refer me despite my concerns and family history.

The nurse who examined me told me to stop worrying, she had vast experience with BC, just because my sister had had it at a young age didn't mean I would get it and to stop checking myself because I was probably making it worse...

When I got a terminal secondary diagnosis a few months later after accepting her professional assurances I just didn't have the energy to fight.

I wrote an initial complaint to the surgery and they called me to ask what had I been doing in the two month's in between....umm not worrying and not checking it anymore as advised. I realised then it would just be my word against hers and her notes would say whatever she wanted them to say.

However all is not lost. I plan to haunt her big time

Absolutely. Look for changes, early detection saves lives but then you're made to feel as though you're just a worrier.

It's not the public who need convincing to take action, but the medical staff who seem to think they know more about your bits & pieces than you do.

Thank you for updating OP.
It’s interesting about talking about multiple symptoms - some of the GPs at our practice only allow you to talk about one symptom/problem per appointment which is really poor I think.

OP reckons she did NOT have a diagnosis missed. She did have lots of investigations when she sought help. OP was Listened to.

Thank you for updating and good luck with your treatment. It’s reassuring to know it wasn’t missed, so you can concentrate on recovery rather than anger. Best wishes.