Hi Phil,

That’s appalling! Patients should never be given that sort of news over the phone by a nurse. In your position, I’d be making a formal complaint for the following reasons.

Until you’ve had the scans, followed by an MDT, your oncologist won’t be in a position to advise on the treatment options available and you won’t be able to make an informed choice. The nurse should know this and be aware that by speaking out of turn she would trigger unnecessary worry and anxiety. People have committed suicide in the past under similar circumstances only for their relatives to be told that subsequent scans showed things weren’t so bad as first feared. 

Please arrange to see your GP to discuss your dilemma and your potential options. You could also ask whether the nurse has acted professionally in their opinion.

Best wishes
Dave