I think I may have cancer

[Trout]

Hi my name is sandy I returned from getting a CT scan today I got a phone call not long after I got home asking me to go and see a chest consultant on wednesday.

Obviously I am very worried now that I have cancer is there anything else it could be

[mrsmummy]

There are so many things it could be I could not possibly list them all. Try not to worry.

[Trout in reply to mrsmummy]

Thank you for your speedy reply I'm just so worried about it

[cofdrop-UK]

It is the first conclusion many people would come to, but please don't get ahead of yourself. There are many things it could be eg. it could have shown up a shadow which might just turn out to be remnants of an infection. The fact they have sent you for a scan and asked you to see the respiratory consultant shows they are taking seriously their duty of care to you.

Please let us know how you get on.

best wishes

cx

[Trout in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Thank you xxx I'm feeling a little more optimistic already

[Shancock]

Hi Sandy, sorry it's hard to comment as we don't know much about you, age, physical health etc. I know how you feel that's what happened to me kind of anyway. But it wasn't cancer or even Bronchiectasis but left over infection and chronic GERD and sinus. I'm having treatment now, which is helping.

There are a variety of things it might be so stay calm. Lung cancer is one of th rarer ones, even with smokers and especially if your in your younger years. Other lung conditions can be treated and managed well with the right health adivce.

I wish you well and let us know how it goes.xx

[Trout in reply to Shancock]

Thank you for message and sorry for for not posting my profile.

I'm 57 years old and a smoker I work offshore and despite being a smoker I regard myself as very fit for my age.

I will let you know how things go on wednesday.

Thank you again for your kind words

[O2Trees in reply to Trout]

Please think about quitting Trout. Smokers can be very fit for years then health can take a nosedive. Obviously I don't know anything about you but in general that's the advice I would give to anyone who is wanting to look after their health.

[Nicosn in reply to O2Trees]

I second that....please try to stop. I remember it took me a good 10 years to stop and I think it was fear of what to do with my self after giving up. Stopping 21 years ago was THE best thing I have done in my life...and I don't miss it! Good luck on Wednesday xx

[Delphi22 in reply to Shancock]

Hi Shancock

May I ask what treatment you are having. I have similar problems but despite having tests which confirmed reflux, sinusitis etc the treatment I am having does not seem to resolve the proble..

Delphi22

[Shancock in reply to Delphi22]

Hi, For reflux I take Nexium an hour before evening meal, which I eat by 6pm. I then take 10ml Gaviscon advanced after breakfast, lunch and dinner and before bed. It does help, I do still get burning back a bit and sometimes heartburn just have to be careful what I eat, no fried foods, no caffeine or citrus. And I sip hot water with meals. I am in the process of some tests and going for the Linx surgery.

For sinus I am on a long course of Amoxicillin as I have infection again, and using Dymista nasal spray twice a day, also doing a Neilmed sinus rinse everyday. I am also having surgery for this as my septum is bent (you can't tell from outside though, consultant out a camera up my nose). Also he's going to burn out the inflammation.

Hopefully those two things will help me a lot, fingers crossed.

[Stumpy55]

Hello Trout, I can understand your concern, especially getting a phone call as soon as you get home from the hospital, but like mrsmummy and cofdrop have said, there could be other reasons for seeing a Consultant at the chest clinic. Please try not to worry too much at this stage. Can you let us know how you get on please?✋️😊

[Trout in reply to Stumpy55]

Thank you for reply and concern I will let you know how get on

[Hidden]

Hi Sandy

I was called in when they discovered it wasn’t just severe asthma but a rare cystic lung disease..Im not saying it was fun but it wasn’t cancer..but I thought the same at the time..even if it had been cancer calling me to come in meant they were acting promptly so I had a chance of being treated quicker.

You take care and we are here for you xx

Fran

[Trout in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Fran I'm feeling a bit better about it now talking to you guys has definitely helped me.

Thank you again for your kind words

[pergola in reply to Trout]

I think if you are really worried and need reassuring, it might help to ask for a doctor to ring you, and reassure you. This is possible at my surgery - they do calls late afternoon. Good luck xx

[lungnorm]

Hi Sandy it could be anything from Pneumonia to a partially collapsed lung and many other things including Bronchiactis etc. Do not worry until you have seen the doctor....Norm

[Christina1941]

Hello Trout, nice to meet you. I can understand how you feel, I am quite sure that everyone would react in exactly the same way, I know I would. There are many things this could be and there is no point in trying to guess, all I can say try not to worry until you have something to worry about, it's a bit pointless when you think about it (I would like to say here that that is what I advise, not what I would do, because I can worry about having nothing to worry about) but all it will do is make things so stressful.

Now I am going to get really serious. Please Trout, you have got to try and stop smoking, it is the very, very best thing you can do, I know how hard it is because I smoked for 53 years and never thought I would be able to stop, but I managed it, even though I really, really didn't want to. So please give it a try.

Please let us know how you get on and what the results are. Sending love and positive thoughts your way xx

[megshafer]

02 Trees...gave you a great piece of advice, one I would heed. Quit smoking....it's hard....but, the benefits to your health are numerous. Actually, I'm going to be honest....I did not find it hard to quit smoking....I just quit, cool turkey...don't even think about it...hate the smell. But, for many it's very hard to quit....keep trying.😊😊😊

Blessing for your health,

Meg

[Ramy22]

Try not to worry.... they just have the results and have made an appointment ... that’s all that’s happened. Let us know! X

[Sandyeggo]

Sandy, I am so sorry for your distress. I think you should not jump to a conclusion to quickly as I too smoked for a long time and it does cause great damage but most likely the progression doesn’t generally begin w/cancer from my observations and personal experiences. The first thing they usually throw at you is emphysema or COPD or something in that realm. For many years I was very physically fit which I still am although better now that I no longer smoke but when I did smoke I was so healthy even my cardio doc was fearful for me to quit. I’ve had multiple heart surgeries since I was a very young woman not related to smoking.While you’re on the waiting game think good thoughts as often as possible and try not to cry or be scared . Easier said than done? Not really, our minds are very powerful and we can for sure control many things in our bodies w/the powers of our minds. I will be meditating on you, please love yourself enough to quit smoking. Peace and harmony

[Trudy10]

It could be many things. They take surveillance CTs now on smokers and ex smokers to catch early lung cancers that can be cured. It could be so many things. I rushed a patient to a pulmonologist because there was a mass. The mass ended up being a fat tumor called a lipoma and not a problem. Try not to put the cart before the horse. I always tell patients I will let them know when they need to worry. One day at a time. Take a deep breath and have a cup of tea. You are doing everything you can and should do. One step at a time. We don’t have cures for everything but there are many wonderful treatments.

[Tetrazzini]

I had the same problem but it was scarring which I had had since birth and they started me off on my inhaler regime. Don't worry but DO stop smoking - that is vital to your long term health in the years to come.

[katieoxo60]

Hello Sandy, looking on the good side that is a quick response to your CT scan. Have to agree with others , having been that way myself , it does not necessarily mean cancer. The result has to be given to you by a doctor /consultant I beleive and the quick response means there is something that either needs further tests or treatment at a specialist clinic. But agree with you it is natural to fear the worst and very stressful, best wishes for Wednesday. Let us know how things go please.

[akajonnyg]

Hi Sandy, I recently went through something very similar. Had an recurring cough, then xray, was put on fast track cancer pathway, worried myself to death for 2 weeks, had a CT scan, got a call from the hospital, went to hospital for a 20 minute appointment....Doctor told that my lungs were perfect, my lung function was excellent, the suspicious xray was probably due to the way I was stood when they took it and the cough was probably an allergie....but they did find a small incidental gall stone...9 out 10 people who are put on the cancer pathway, ie people who the doctors think may have cancer, ACTUALLY DO NOT HAVE CANCER, yes that's 90%...so the vast majority of 'possible' cancer patients DO NOT HAVE CANCER. Good Luck Jon (UK)

[Maximonkey]

Hi Sandy, please do not worry, try to stay positive. I too had a CT scan and was asked to return the following day to see my Consultant, I was worried but relieved too that at last maybe there would be a diagnosis as I had been really ill for over a year. So you see it could be good news, a new course of treatment, anything. Take care and do let us know how you get on. Maximonkey

[Trout in reply to Maximonkey]

Thank you my friend I will keep you up to date

[Dragonmum]

If you're a smoker the first thing that comes into your head is lung cancer - I know because I smoked for 60 years, which led to asthma then COPD. I tried everything to stop smoking, and I mean everything including hypnosis. Eight years ago this month I tried an e-cig and have never smoked since - no withdrawal pangs and a much nicer experience than smoking; all the pleasure of nicotine without the smoke and tar that does the damage. It's your choice of course but you really do need to kick the smokes. Best of luck.

[jackiect71]

really feel for you,hope everything goes ok,try not to worryi know its easier said than done,but it may just be something they want to check out and not as bad as you think.

[Trout in reply to jackiect71]

Thank you Jackie x

[jennicare]

Awe Sandy it is so scary to get a Call Back , but Try Honey not to worry as it could be many things , Sending You My Prayers And Love .. Jennicare

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation]

My goodness Trout, what an anxious time! Whilst it's only natural to worry and fear the worst as others rightly say the CT could have been done for any number of things and may well come back completely clear. Got everything crossed for you and remember we're all here if you need to talk.

[Trout in reply to dodgylungrunner]

Thanks mate it means a lot getting posts like yours

[Mum7452]

Hiya. I m on here because my son has lung disease. However 4 years ago I had a chest infection that would not go away. I lost my mum at the age I was then and was convinced I had lung cancer as she had. Xraycame back showing a shadow and because of my fears my doctor rushed me through a load if tests. Too many to think of but I will say that they were very thorough. At the end of them all the only thing they found was a rather large hiatus hernia which I already knew I had and was on meds for it. Turns out it wasn't anything but scaring on my lungs. So please try not to worry until you get your results. Time enough to worry then IF they do find anything. I felt like I d been given a new lease on life so I had all my waist length hair cut off, joined a gym and enjoyed my life. Fingers crossed for you and I m sending a big hug too. Bless you xx

[Donie]

Yes try to stay positive. It is hard to wait and wonder. Wishing the best for you and keep us posted.

[Hidden]

Good luck for your appointment today sandy, will be thinking of you

[Trout]

Thank you guys for your support during this stressful time I will let you all know how I get on today.

[Ramy22]

How did it go?

[Megan321]

If it was cancer, u would be getting a referral to an oncologist, and they would want to do more tests.....it will be okay...could be something small