Saw out of Hours GP yesterday. 29m

[JHutton1994]

Went in about abdominal pain which he thinks is gastric. He took one look at my hands and said that my fingers are clubbed, and that this could be a sign of cancer, couple that with my largely newfound breathing problems and neck pain and I am scared and angry if that turns out to be true, I've always brought up symptoms with the GP, heavy breathing, hyperventilation, constant fatigue. I feel scared and angry at the moment. Pondered going to accident and emergency.

[CDPO16]

If you saw an out of hours GP there seems little point going to A&E too. A report will go to your own GP which you can follow up with him/her.

[JHutton1994 in reply to CDPO16]

Yeah, just panicking since he said the C word. My GP hasn't been the best. Many things I have raised at that surgery have been ignored, but it's the only one round here.

[Bevvy in reply to JHutton1994]

I think out of hours doctor was extremely unhelpful and actually should be reported! He doesn’t know you and to give an offhand opinion is simply wrong. What he should have advised was to see own gp to examine fingers. Doctor will write report/notes that gp can see and doctor could express concerns. However doctor doesn’t know you and from what you have told us you have had blood tests done that are clear. If you had cancer this would have shown up as something being wrong.

There is no point in going to A&E and to be fair your concerns would not be best treated there. If you are unhappy with gp then see a different one at the surgery. Calmly explain your concerns but do listen if gp is able to say why you don’t need to be concerned or what they are going to do about concerns.

[Maricopa in reply to JHutton1994]

Clubbed nails are more commonly due to low oxygen. Poor circulation.

[CarolMcl]

The out of hours GP should never have been so blunt with his comments when he's just in and out. I too have club fingers and it's definitely not cancer, it's from having lung disease. You should contact your GP on Monday to arrange a consultation to assess your fingers and to arrange a hospital consultation if required. 🌹

[sassy59]

Clubbed fingers can be a sign of several things and not just cancer. The GP shouldn’t have scared you like that. Hope you can get some answers and much needed support. Xxx

[Patk1]

Anger is a waste of your energy & combined with fear can well trigger anxiety impacting breathing.Ths dr doesn't know U!

Did he examine Yr abdomen even??

Go to Yr own dr x

[Ergendl]

I agree with other comments here. Clubbed fingers are often, though not exclusively, related to poor oxygenation of the blood - usually lung problems. That was an appalling consultation.

The one time I had to call an out of hours doctor to my father, he told me there was a mass in Dad's abdomen which needed to be checked out by the GP as soon as possible. Cancer was never mentioned, though I knew it was a possibility. I took Dad to see the GP for an emergency appointment next morning. He sent him to hospital where pancreatic cancer was diagnosed. Symptoms Dad did not have were breathlessness and clubbed fingers.

[kev60]

Hi, I have clubbed fingers was born with them and when they explained it’s the curvature of the nail’s ( mine curve over like claws) and hospitals and doctors worry about heart and lungs never heard the cancer reasoning . But they check my hands and will usually send me for an x-ray (to check heart)after a procedure until I tell them I was born that way and then they’re not so worried. Sorry they gave you a scare you should report it maybe to your GP or PALS. Hope all goes well.Kevin

[katieoxo60]

I have had clubbed fingers for over 15 years , its because of a lung condition. Cancer should never be discussed like the locum did but you should be checked. Agreed that is easier said than done. Good luck with a follow up for your original reason for calling a doctor out and hope all is minor not serious and anxiety provoking. Best Wishes

[Alberta56]

I have no medical training, so am a total ignoramus, but even I know, from reading reports on this forum, that clubbed fingers can be a sign of lung disease. That doctor should read Health Unlocked. I hope you can find a sensible GP at your surgery to reassure you.

[JHutton1994 in reply to Alberta56]

I went today. He said chest xray was clear that I had done when I was hospitalised for shortness of breath, and the bloods were too. Said the fingers were clubbed, but no need for further investigation like a chest CT not even when paired with the new breathing problems. Am I the one who is insane here?

[watergazer]

I read that clubbed fingers are linked to respiratory disease Don’t over worry x

[Ern007 in reply to watergazer]

They are and toes.

[Germantara]

Sorry to hear bout upsetting experience I myself would be fuming he should off NOT mentioned cancer like that until all x rays or scans and what ever else they do then he or she will tell the patient docter was well out off order there is maney reasons for clubbed fingers my freind in her fifty s had developed that and causes was weakness in the bones in fingers that's only one there maney more reasons for it hope you get sorted

[Ern007]

Clubbed fingers and toes are normally a sign of lung problems. There are other causes - I think you would be well advised to see your GP to find out the reason.

[JHutton1994 in reply to Ern007]

Already did. Seemed uninterested in doing any further investigation. Said 'Wait and see if they get more clubbed' What? And what for the thing causing it to progress as well?

I am just so tired of all of this.

[Ern007 in reply to JHutton1994]

I bed you are - I have badly clubbed toes, I told GP and for some reason did not get a straight answer, I think that is a wait and see policy.