Hello and thanks for posting

I’m sorry your father has received his diagnosis in the way that he did. Most people are usually given a cancer diagnosis in person, or at least by a phone call from a doctor, with the chance to ask questions and get support. .

Your father receiving a letter that simply says there is cancer in the bones with little explanation is understandably very upsetting and shocking. He should have been given clear information about what his doctors know so far, what the PET scan is looking for, what happens next, and who he can contact for support.

Cancer in the bones can mean one or two things: that the cancer started in the bone itself (less common), or the cancer started elsewhere in the body and has spread to the bones (more common).

The best thing for you and your father to do to is to contact the consultant's secretary or hospital cancer team to explain that he was given his diagnosis by letter and that he urgently needs an appointment or phone call to discuss what the next steps may be.

You may also find it helpful to contact the hospital's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) to discuss your concerns and they will look into this for you both.

In the meantime, you are very welcome to contact the nurses here on our freephone helpline for information and support. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards,

Celene