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NHS refusing full body scan halfway through chemo

Fochatzi
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Hello

My aunt's breast cancer reappeared in July 2023 and the NHS took 5 months before they do anything about it.. eventually they decided on the course of treatment which was chemo to shrink the tumour and mastectomy after that.

She is now half way through the chemo and was meant to have a full body scan which they refused to give her.

Is that acceptable, is there no protocol? Or is it an indication that things are not going well and they know they messed up from the beginning?

We can't quite understand what to make of it and if they are allowed to refuse the scan halfway through which would tell us how the treatment is going..

Thank you for your response in advance ..

  • Hello and thank you for your post.

    I am sorry to hear about your aunt's situation and I can appreciate the concern you have for her.

    While I know that many people do have a scan midday through their cancer treatment, not everyone will.  I have looked to see if there is any clinical guidance that recommends that everyone should have a scan midway through their chemotherapy treatment for recurrent breast cancer and I am afraid that I can't. 

    I don't know why they have not given her a scan. So, I do think that your aunt should discuss this with her breast team especially as she was told that she would have one and now isn't. 

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline

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