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Original poster

Chest X Ray- this can only be bad news, can't it?

48 replies

neverbeenskiing · 20/09/2022 20:05

My DF is 67. He has never smoked, is very active, still goes to the gym and plays golf regularly. He has never been seriously unwell.

He went to the GP because he has had a cough for a few weeks, although it has improved (it was waking him up in the night and now it isn't) it hasn't gone away completely. The GP said it was "probably viral" but they would send him for an X Ray to be safe. He had his chest X Ray on Friday and received call this morning from the GP surgery saying he needs to go in tomorrow to talk to the Doctor. They didn't say anything else.

Am I right in thinking this can only be bad news? Surely if everything was fine they would just tell him that over the phone? I am trying not to panic but my mind is running away with me.

OP posts:
Museya15 · 20/09/2022 21:12

I’m really sorry to hear you’re worried. Yes, they probably have found something on the X-ray but it could be a number of things, not necessarily Cancer. Even if it is cancer, there are many people living years with lung cancer. Just wait and see what is said tomorrow.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 20/09/2022 21:13

It sounds like it’s something that either needs treatment or needs further investigation. That doesn’t necessarilly means it’s bad news or something serious though.

Original poster
neverbeenskiing · 20/09/2022 21:54

Thank you both. I know it's pointless fretting until I know more. I am just struggling to think what else could show up on a chest X Ray that needs treatment or investigation other than cancer, and the fact that the GP has asked to see him so soon also suggests they're worried. I wish I could switch my brain off!

OP posts:
mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 20/09/2022 21:57

Oh love. I really hope it's something easily treatable. It's not only lung cancer that could cause a cough that needs some sort of treatment.

MarvellousMunchkin · 20/09/2022 22:04

I had a chest X-ray a few years ago my cough wasn't clearing up.

I got a phone call asking me to come in straightaway. I cried all the way to the surgery convinced I had cancer only to be told they found a shadow which was left over infection and prescribed a course of antibiotics. GP didn't get why I was freaking out.

Hope your DF has a similar outcome.

OneFrenchEgg · 20/09/2022 22:07

MarvellousMunchkin · 20/09/2022 22:04

I had a chest X-ray a few years ago my cough wasn't clearing up.

I got a phone call asking me to come in straightaway. I cried all the way to the surgery convinced I had cancer only to be told they found a shadow which was left over infection and prescribed a course of antibiotics. GP didn't get why I was freaking out.

Hope your DF has a similar outcome.

Similar experience here. Hoping for something easily treatable for your dad op.

JamMakingWannaBe · 20/09/2022 22:08

My DH had this recently. The Dr just wanted to discuss the results of the scan. DH has a FAR significantly less healthy lifestyle than your DF and was diagnosed with late onset asthma.

SunflowerOrange · 20/09/2022 22:10

I have asthma and am not brilliantly well.

I had a chest xray to look for infection and/or clots (a different test) and was just put on antibiotics for a week.

FirstFormAtMalloryTowers · 20/09/2022 22:10

My son had a condition that as a child meant repeated bouts of pneumonia (over 20). This is diagnosed by X-ray and can often be found weeks after the original cold/cough.

it is then treated with antibiotics and maybe some steroids if his bronchial tubes are right/there is wheezing.

Arenanewbie · 20/09/2022 22:12

maybe his X-ray is fine so they want to discuss further investigation, cough could be a result of indigestion very often.

Riseabove · 20/09/2022 22:13

Waiting for results is dreadful isn’t. As other posters have said it’s not necessarily bad news, just that perhaps some treatment (such as anti biotics) is necessary.

SquirrelSoShiny · 20/09/2022 22:15

It may well just be infection visible on lung. Try not to panic.

PremiumBanana · 20/09/2022 22:17

This happened to my DH and it was because the x ray had shown he has arthritis on his spine. (Even though it was done because he had pneumonia) x

Northernsoullover · 20/09/2022 22:18

Try not to worry. My dad got 'the call' and it was COPD which isn't great but not the worst.

activediscussions · 20/09/2022 22:20

I would have thought if it was cancer the hospital would call for another appointment rather than his gp

Hugasauras · 20/09/2022 22:22

I wouldn't have thought GP would be giving news of cancer? Wouldn't it be a consultant at the hospital so they could then discuss treatment,etc?

If it's been referred back to GP then I would think it more likely it showed either nothing or something in a GP's remit.

FatFilledTrottyPuss · 20/09/2022 22:23

My best friends husband had a chest X-ray and was left a voicemail late on the Friday afternoon from the GP asking him to make an appointment to discuss it. They worried themselves sick all bloody weekend, best friend was on the phone in tears about it. When they got to see the GP the following Tuesday they were told that nothing of concern had shown up on the X-ray. Best friend had the same with a breast lump once and has to wait panicking all weekend when it was nothing.
I honestly think some surgeries are clueless as to how lay people are going to feel about these messages. Fingers crossed op that your dad’s result will be similarly unremarkable.

daisyjgrey · 20/09/2022 22:28

I had this. It was pneumonia.

StarDolphins · 20/09/2022 22:35

My friends DO had this, had x-ray, rang said make an appt asap & then told him it was infection & gave antibiotics.

DoingJustFine · 20/09/2022 22:37

I'd guess scar tissue, bronchitis or pneumonia.

I had a chest X-Ray years ago, as a panicky smoker. I was so scared, I convinced the radiologist to let me see the image to put my mind at rest. But when I saw the X-Ray, I saw a large, sinister white shadow. I just knew it was a tumour and the rest of my life flashed before me, I saw me in a headscarf, sleeping in my parents sitting room, mum crying at my graveside...

The giant white shadow was my heart. I was fine.

Ydkiml · 20/09/2022 22:46

Oh , I had a chest X-ray , found a lung nodule , googled it , (tumour) the size of it said 80% chance of cancer . Had to wait 2 month for another chest X-ray to be told oh it’s gone , must of been a chest infection !!! I felt reborn !! 2 month of panic attacks and thank goodness it turns out to be nothing . Don’t worry, don’t Google . Good luck x

Livelovebehappy · 20/09/2022 22:53

If it’s going to be bad news don’t they ask for you to attend with someone? When my father was called back after a chest X-ray, he was told to bring someone with him if possible. When he was told he had cancer. So if they haven’t said that to your father, it might be safe to assume they’re not going to give out bad news.

Mariposista · 20/09/2022 22:53

Hugasauras · 20/09/2022 22:22

I wouldn't have thought GP would be giving news of cancer? Wouldn't it be a consultant at the hospital so they could then discuss treatment,etc?

If it's been referred back to GP then I would think it more likely it showed either nothing or something in a GP's remit.

This is what I was thinking too.
Fingers crossed for your dad OP. Hoping that he just needs medicine and rest.

justasking111 · 20/09/2022 23:00

My mother had this it was pneumonia complicated by the fact that as a child in Ireland she had TB not on her Welsh notes I also had the x-ray because my inhaler wasn't coping with my asthma. It turns out the new prescription they foisted on me as a cost cutting exercise wasn't working. They put me back on the old Meds and I was fine.

Try not to worry late onset asthma is a thing as is pneumonia and pleurisy as a complication of an infection

CountessOfSponheim · 20/09/2022 23:07

neverbeenskiing · 20/09/2022 21:54

Thank you both. I know it's pointless fretting until I know more. I am just struggling to think what else could show up on a chest X Ray that needs treatment or investigation other than cancer, and the fact that the GP has asked to see him so soon also suggests they're worried. I wish I could switch my brain off!

All sorts of things - pneumonia shows up on a chest X-ray, for example, and needs to be taken seriously especially as people get older.

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