Hi everyone,

I’m here because I’m really scared for my mum and don’t know where else to ask.

She’s 56 and has had constant back pain for months. She had an MRI on her back, and the doctors called her in for an appointment. At that appointment they told her they suspect it’s cancer and that it looks like it may have spread to her back from somewhere else. They’ve now booked her for a PET scan to try and find the primary.

This has all come as a complete shock. She hasn’t had any other symptoms that we’ve noticed, and no biopsy or blood tests yet. The doctor even listed lots of possible cancers but said they don’t know where it’s come from.

I just keep thinking – would they really use the word “cancer” if they weren’t fairly sure? Or is there still a chance it could be something else? I’m trying to prepare myself but also don’t want to assume the worst too soon.

Has anyone else been in this situation – where doctors suspected cancer from a scan, ordered a PET, but it turned out to be something different? Any experiences or advice would really help me while we wait.

Thank you so much.