Waiting

Good Afternoon

Having suffered with chronic fatigue, mucus in stools, normal but low ferritin and constant lower abdominal pain, and having visited the GP on numerous occasions and being fobbed off with, 'nothing wrong, or 'menopause' I pushed to have a CT scan.  I was put on the 2ww pathway due to having breast cancer in 2020, and my mother being diagnosed with primary peritoneal cancer.  

To note, I also had a full hysterectomy(everything removed) in 2022 due to side effects of breast cancer treatment.

I had a CT scan on 23rd April and having heard nothing contacted the GP on 6th May for an update

They have informed me my results are waiting to be discussed at an MDT meeting on 19th May.

A couple of questions - is it normal practice that i wasn't informed by my GP/Hospital of the outcome of the CT scan

What is the likelyhood that something has been found on the scans that will require treatment (not necessarily just for cancer)

To be honest, i would cope better if I knew they had found something - am i within my rights to contact hospital to request further information?

Thank you for any guidance you can provide

  • Hello and thanks for posting

    I'm sorry to read about all you’ve been through and can appreciate that ongoing symptoms can prey on your mind.

    In the NHS, it’s quite common for scan results to be reviewed first by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) (a group of specialists) before they are shared with you. They do this so more than one expert looks at the scan, they can agree what it shows and decide the best next step before speaking to you. It does not mean that anything is wrong. MDT meetings are a routine part of care, whether findings are clear, unclear, or even normal.

    You can call the consultant’s secretary and ask if there’s any information the doctor can share before the MDT but please be aware they often can’t give results until after the MDT meeting has taken place.

    I know it's easier said than done but try and take it one step at a time until you know more. Some people find talking it through with family and friends and keeping busy can sometimes help. Also try and focus on what you can control right now by eating a good diet, getting enough rest, and doing some gentle activities that you enjoy.

    I hope you know more soon and that everything turns out to be okay.

    Kind regards,

    Celene