Disclaimer

Although we take care to ensure accuracy, Macmillan Cancer Support does not accept liability for the information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert or for any errors or omissions in them, or for third-party information or services such as other websites we may link to. The information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert are for information purposes only and are not intended to be legal, financial or medical advice or opinions. If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.

We recommend that you consult your doctor if you are concerned about your health. Any You should not rely on any information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert including by our Experts as they are not a replacement for advice, diagnosis or treatment from your medical team, and our Experts cannot provide a second opinion to that of your medical team.

Your question can be read by others – so please don't post your contact details or any other information that could personally identify you. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more details.

Bowel cancer spread to both lungs

Caroljamie
  • 1 reply
  • 41 subscribers
  • 407 views

I have recently been diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread from my bowel.I had part of my bowel removed just over twelve months ago and unfortunately it has spread during that short period .The consultants are going to carry out another scan the end of this month before they decide what treatment will be in my best interests.The waiting is so difficult and I am struggling as to why if they know it’s there they can’t just  start treatment immediately why wait for it to grow they know there are six growths four in one left lung and two in right .Any advice would be appreciated.

  • Hi Caroljamie

    Thanks for getting in touch with us and welcome to the online community. My name’s Simon and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

    Sorry to hear that you have developed secondary lung cancer following your bowel cancer treatment a year ago. The feelings of uncertainty and anxiety while waiting for further investigations and treatment can be difficult to manage. Macmillan have worked with an organisation called Big Health to develop a couple of apps to help support people to manage their feelings during difficult periods of time such as this.

    I can see from your profile that you are a member of our online bowel cancer forum. You may also find some benefit from joining our secondary lung cancer forum.

    At the Macmillan Support Line we don’t have access to NHS systems or anyone’s individual medical records. This means it is difficult for us to say definitively why the consultants are waiting a while before starting any treatment. The aim of any treatment will be to help contain and control the cancer though and they may want to re scan to check on the growth and development of the tumours before discussing best treatment options with you. If you have a nurse specialist at the hospital, it might be worth contacting them for a further explanation of the plan of action.

     

    I hope this information is of some help.

    Best wishes

    Simon:  Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

    Ref/SMJ/ DK

Help us do whatever it takes, because we’ve never been needed more.

© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007