Why were Macmillan nurses present at consultation?

Hi JMcL,

Thanks for your question. My name is Matthew, and I work as part of the Online Community Team. We're the team who work on supporting our Online Community to make sure it stays safe and working well.

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's lung nodule, and how you are now waiting for further investigations to be carried out. I can appreciate that this may feel like an uncertain time for you both, and so I'd like to reassure you that no matter what the next steps might be, Macmillan will be here to support you.

Because your question really needs a reply from a qualified medical professional, I have moved it over to our Ask a Nurse forum. Our dedicated Cancer Information Nurse Specialists provide the replies there, so it’s the best place to ask any questions about cancer testing, treatment, medicines, or side-effects. A member of their team will aim to respond to your question within the next 1 to 3 working days.

If you need any help or support directly from Macmillan staff in the meantime, please don't hesitate to give our Macmillan Support Line a call. The Support Line teams can be reached on freephone 0808 808 00 00, and they're open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.

Dear JMcL,

Thank you for getting in touch with us and welcome to our online community.  My name is Adrienne and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists at Macmillan.

I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s lung nodule.  This must be a worrying time for you and it’s understandable that having Macmillan nurses present would concern you further.

As the consultant mentioned, there could be various reasons for this lung nodule but when something like this is found, they want to do further tests and investigations as soon as possible in case it is cancer.  This is because the earlier a cancer is diagnosed; the more successful treatment is likely to be.    However, more than 90% of people who are put on the fast-track cancer pathway will not be diagnosed with cancer.

Having the Macmillan nurses present at the consultation does not mean they probably think it’s cancer.  They are there as part of the team to ensure the patient, namely your husband is supported and to track his results and progress throughout.  If the scan comes back and the nodule is benign, he will likely be discharged from their service.  However, if this is cancer, the nurses are an invaluable part of the team and it's important that they are involved from the very start.

Going for tests or waiting to meet a specialist can be a worrying time. People often feel anxious while they are waiting to find out more.  There is no right or wrong way to deal with these feelings. Some people find it helpful to carry on with normal activities as much as possible. Continuing with everyday activities, such as going to work, can be a welcome distraction from worrying. Other people may feel they cannot concentrate on anything else.

Some people look for more information about cancer during this time. Searching for information can help you feel more in control while you wait for your results. However, if you are not sure of the diagnosis, some information can be confusing and upsetting.  Please know that you can always give us a call to talk things through. We often find that we can help more by exploring your concerns over the phone.  You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts.  Phone free on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, from 8am to 8pm), or you can send us an email, too.

I wish your husband all the best with his scan results JMcL

Take care and best wishes,

Adrienne, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

Ref:  AMc/KA