Frustrated

[Hollilin]

Hi there everyone. I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. I had surgery and 6 months of chemo. Now that I am done I would like a pet scan to show that the cancer is truly gone. I have had a ct scan but I know they don't light up where there might still be cancer. The doctor says I don't need one and I am all better. I would just have some peace of mind if they actually did a scan that would be more clear.

[capetownval]

I totally agree with you , a pet scan showed up two tumours after 6 months of chemo. : I understand it's not in the NICE guidelines, but it would have saved me from extra surgery and pain.

Luckily I was given a new oncologist who recommended it.

Push for it , if I had only known earlier, i even had a reversal of my stoma 2 months before I was in A&E again , it was all such a "balls up "

[Hollilin in reply to capetownval]

Yes, if the doctors would have listened to some of my symptoms about 8 years ago then I might not have ended up with stage 3 colan cancer. We need to be out own advocate. I don't want to wait 6 months and find out something Is there that could have been an easier fix if found earlier.

[Perthgirl]

I am in the same situation as you, neither my oncologist or gynae oncologist (who did my surgery) think it necessary to have CT or PET scans without symptoms so have had neither since before surgery. Am having 1st check up on Friday and am going to beg for one to be done. Think it is well worth it just for that peace of mind we are always looking for?!

[Hollilin in reply to Perthgirl]

I hope they give you one. I know it it were the doctors with cancer then they would want to know. Yes, just for peace of mind. Just be persistent. I hope you get it...

[capetownval]

I consider that it should be automatically done , I would have paid myself if I had known it was what I needed , but I was too ill af the time .

Since I have spent a lot of time on research,whilst I see the cost implications, the NHS would have been saved a fortune in unnecessary ops

I was so cross to end up with a colostomy only a few months after a reversal of my ileostomy..

Keep pushing

[Hollilin]

I would think it would be automatic Too. Its very frustrating! Thanks for your response and encouragement.

[Hollilin]

I talked with my oncologist and told her I really wanted a pet scan for peace of mind. She is going to see what she can set up. She said she doesn't like to do pet scans for colon cancer because it won't show but it might show other things that we don't want to deal with. Hello...... what other things, and yes if there is more than let's deal with it. I think the cancer would show. But either way it will give me peace of mind.