worried about cancer, what would you do?

[ashadowonmylung]

I've had a bad cough for around 3-4 months. I have had occasions of being short of breath and went to A and E and got admitted a couple of times. I have had chest Xrays and have a shadow on one lung which I am told is "suspicious" and "concerning" and I need to be referred to a specialist as an emergency, as it might be secondary cancer.

I also have two small lumps just under my rib cage

The "emergency" consultation is a 6 months wait, and private is not an option.

WWYD?

Op, do you have a primary cancer?

There's a two week pathway for suspected cancer.. are you in uk?

I had breast cancer, but I can't get any response from the consultant I saw for that. Treatment finished two years ago. I had a double mastectomy, so waiting for my next mammogram isn't an option, as I don't have them now.

yes, I am in the UK, but the two week pathway doesn't seem to exist for secondary cancer

After your bc treatment were you not referred to the self managed pathway to contact re concerns? Contact your breast cancer nurses, or PALS if you are getting nowhere.good luck

That's shocking. Afraid I have no advice but I'd certainly kick up a right fuss. That's awful. Sending hope xxx

I think the situation is being complicated by the fact I have moved since the breast cancer, and the hospital I was admitted to for breathing difficulties is 100 miles away from the hospital where I was treated for primary cancer

Even for a new shadow on the lung with someone with a previous cancer, it should get directed straight to a 2WW and a lung MDT. Ditto finding a suspicious lump would create a new 2WW.

At the moment you don't know it's cancer, if it is you don't know if it is primary or secondary. So it goes in as a new referral. Something has been misdirected somewhere for you.

I'd go see your GP, explain the situation and get them to make a referral.

The two week pathway definitely exists for suspected cancer of any kind, whether primary or secondary - there is no way of knowing which this could be without investigations. Hopefully it is nothing to worry about and a shadow on a lung could have other causes, but it must be investigated quickly.

I had breast cancer 11 years ago and have recently had a range of different symptoms, some of which are red flags for a recurrence or secondary spread, and once my GP had ruled out some obvious causes, I was referred under the two week pathway. In my case I was really fortunate to be sent to a new clinic which was set up for people with a range of vague but worrying symptoms. The referral was done on a Friday morning, I was seen at 9 am on the Monday morning, and then I was seen by the breast clinic, had a CT scan from my ovaries to my chest, and had a gastroscopy all within a week of the appointment. This was all done at a different hospital to where I had my breast cancer treatment.

As someone who has previously had cancer, your GP must take this seriously and make an appropriate referral for you as a matter of urgency. I do hope it turns out to be nothing serious.

I’m sorry to hear that you had breast cancer and I think if you post on the main cancer thread here the women there will help you with what should be happening next.

I don’t know the ins and outs of things but I’m pretty sure you should fast tracked for investigation.

all the very best to you.