Hi,

Some hospitals work differently when it comes to having a Macmillan nurse or a Cancer Specialist Nurse at the appointment with a patient. I can only speak of what usually happens with my type of cancer, melanoma (skin cancer). 

If tests have already been carried out, they may have an idea what the results are & they are awaiting the Pet scan results to confirm their thoughts. The card may have been given to your mum for if she wants to contact the nurse and ask any questions that weren't covered at the appointment or if she has new worries she wants to speak about. On rare occasions biopsy samples may not be conclusive and have to be sent to another hospital for a second opinion. This, and the scan results, may be necessary before they can say if it's cancer or not but they will still give the patient a card so they have a 'contact' if needed.

Has your mum been given a date to receive the PET scan results? If she hasn't got an appointment yet it may be worth her ringing the nurse and asking her to explain what is happening. The Macmillan nurses are great at advising or getting information for you from the consultant. They won't mind your mum ringing to try and understand her position at the moment. Good luck to you both x