Diagnosed yesterday and petrified.

First of all, lung cancer cannot be diagnosed without a biopsy.  You may have other test results and symptoms which are highly suggestive of lung cancer, but you don't have a diagnosis until the pathology results are in.

I was absolutely terrified of having a lung biopsy as i'd already spent most of this year being treated for lymphoma and my lymphoma biopsy was traumatic.  I got the requesting specialist to write me a prescription for pre-procedural lorazepam and also made sure that the interventional radiologist was aware of my extreme anxiety.  He explained to me that lungs themselves don't actually have nerve endings.  Although he warned me that the local anaesthetic would sting briefly, he went slowly enough that it didn't and I can honestly say that I didn't feel the biopsy.  The worst parts of the process were the noise of the biopsy needle (which he'd warned me about) and having to lie still for an hour afterwards.

Lung cancer treatments have progressed in leaps and bounds over the last decade.  Mine was discovered incidentally during imaging for my lymphoma and I was surprised by how many new treatments there are now and how those treatments have changed the course of the disease for so many people.

Your anxiety is totally understandable.  Mine was bad enough that I made my specialist ring me as soon as they had the result of my biopsy rather than waiting until my next appointment.  Even though mine did turn out to be lung cancer, I still felt better knowing that as soon as possible rather than waiting an extra four days for the results.

I was diagnosed in September, started treatment on 2 October and finished treatment 12 October.  I would have started and finished sooner except that the linear accelerator was misbehaving on the first two days treatment was scheduled.

Keep talking to us.  It tends to lessen the anxiety.

We have a lung cancer group which you might like to join.  I joined it before my diagnosis was confirmed.

community.macmillan.org.uk/.../lung-cancer

Hi  and a second welcome to the Macmillan Online Community, a Community that no one really plans to see themselves joining, and so sorry to hear about your on going Lung Cancer investigations.

A cancer diagnosis brings a lot of confusion, stress and many questions but talking with other people who are on the same type of journey helps a lot.

I have had a lung biopsy done a number of years back as I was diagnosed with Asbestos although it is stable and does not need any treatment. The biopsy itself was ok but as I have Spinal Osteoarthritis the main challenge was laying flat face down on the CT table for a very long time.

I see you have joined our Lung Cancer group, this is the place where you will connect with others walking the treatment journey both as a patient or family.

Follow the above link then introduce yourself, post questions or just  join in with existing discussions by clicking on 'reply'. 

Its always good to talk and the Macmillan Support Services provides lots of information, support or just a listing ear.

Most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week and it's free to call on 0808 808 00 00 have a look by Clicking here to see what is available and we also have our Ask an Expert section, but do allow two working days for replies from our expert team.

Our Online Information and Support Section is a good place to find information covering diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers.

All the very best.