What would happen if i didnt understand?

I suspect it is like everything else - it depends where you are.  Many services are so overwhelmed nowadays that healthcare professionals may tend to talk AT patients rather than TO patients.  And therefore not realise that the information is not being understood.  But I remember being a bit like a rabbit in headlights myself and it must be difficult to spot the difference between this natural reaction and a complete lack of understanding.  This is presumably why the role of the breast care nurse is mandated as the person who supports the patient all the way through.  We know from this forum that BCNs vary in how they are able to do this.

I don’t think it helps to say things like “if English is a second language you get help” as this is not relevant and not necessarily true.  

I meant no offence. Just that the lack of understanding of complex and techniqual language in some is possibly easier to spot in some than in others.

Actually Silverberg you are right.....

I have had all my treatment in France where I have lived for 20 years and whilst I speak reasonable French and everyone tried to use some English, there were still times where without the internet to clarify, we would have been very confused. In addition I didn't realise I could link into Macmillan until my third chemo and I had already had all the diagnostic tests and the lumpectomy by then. I'm not saying to ' google' everything but sites like the NHS offer clear explanations of precedures. 

However, I don't think any amount of knowledge will eliminate the shock elements of the initial diagnosis. However well informed ( and I was and everything was done as quickly as possible with waiting only where it was unavoidable) the speed at which you go from living an ordinary life to being a cancer patient with all the fear that includes, is mind numbing. How fortunate the lady you saw had a friend with her.......I don't know how those who choose to go alone actually cope. They are very courageous. I had a very supportive husband who made sure he was well informed but also is very calm in medical situations and didn't panic. He looked up in English exactly what he expected to happen and took his notes or diagrams to the visits we made to surgeons and oncologists. We did however also have the advantage of a system where we were still given as much time as we needed to ask all the questions we wanted and digest the answers. 

I think bc still needs the combination of both the internet knowledge and the personal attention and sadly, I know because I've been reading the remarks on this site regularly for over three years, that in the UK, time for each individual patient does not always exist!

I hope your latest treatment is successful for you Silverberg.

Love Karen

Hi,

so, so sad! Even if English was her first language, the ‘c’ word sometimes has folk blanking out every other word after that. And some folk simply have no knowledge of anything even vaguely medical, so just don’t cope when cancer is mentioned.

thats why the BCN’s really are very important, and why they should stay with you when the medics have gone from the room. It’s dreadful to think that poor lady wasn’t helped enough. 

I guess I was lucky in a way, I did go to my first appointment on my own, but have some medical knowledge and so was prepared for the worst as I just knew my lump (yes I found it) wasn’t normal, GP hadn’t been worried but I definitely was. And yes I was right. 

Hugs to you all xxx

We all react differently.  I was told I was very calm and matter of fact!  Really I didn’t feel that way but was geared up for bad news plus I had to tell my daughter who was away on uni  and didn’t know I had been for tests.  The BCN attaches to the screening unit cane out to see me 2 days later by which time I had some questions but she still remarked how calm I was!!!!  I’m sine way it felt like it was just an inevitability that I would get cancer having lost my mother and sister to it years before but I also knew BC can be very treatable.  Still live in fear at every anniversary mammogram though 

Hi 

I am wondering in what sense you meant  'not relevant' ?

I think we all recognise the difficulties of hearing a diagnosis and then struggling to take on board the things we are told after the announcement. It can be like our brain is  'squinting' trying to manage.

There are additional barriers for some of us... they can include English not being our first language, hearing impairment, learning difficulties etc. Given stretched resources, unless additional needs are pronounced, explicitly made known or the patient has an enabled advocate, then many folk must just muddle through coping as best as they can, as they do with everyday stuff.

My mother had pronounced, acquired, hearing impairment. Without her hearing aid and being able to see the person speaking in good light and against a good background, she was never going to be able to understand what was being said. This was obviously worse when the person speaking was unfamiliar and the questions, phrases, terminology etc used were new.

As an inpatient in hospital, she mostly didn't have her hearing aid in. She was very poorly and I can't help thinking that not being able to hear what was being said or going on around her can't have helped. I am sure her hearing was mentioned in her notes but that didn't stop doctors etc gathering in groups and talking to her and each other, assuming she was part of the discussion.

In theory, there is provision of a translation service for ESOL patients though I suspect that is still problematical and involves telephone etc...not helping every 3 minutes at a bedside and not ideal in an emotional and technical medical appointment.

I have made numerous suggestions re inpatients, such as an A4 sized pic of an ear that can be placed above a patient's bed, alerting staff to check how best to communicate with the person.

As out patients...especially if we haven't realised we need and deserve additional help, I suspect we flounder. 

...I can imagine the scene was an emotional one for you, thinking she may have very little understanding of the process she is going through and what may be more to come. I have days where the thought of someone's hamster having dandruff can have me in floods

I find it helps me to do something about situations in general if I can't help a specific person...so finding out what provision there is for  learning difficulties etc in the hospital unit...maybe specific leaflets. Or just asking the question...in writing/ email, brings it back to peoples attention/ top of to-do lists etc

Take care

Hi Shimmeringunicorn

Your comment to me made me think"Exactly". 

I've taught for more years than I care to remember. 29 years and 294 days. I have banged the drum for all children that need support in what ever way consistently. This was just another time when I needed to bang the drum.

Thank you for your support. I hope it has brought this back to someone's attention.

Interesting and important thoughts here.

I have a  profound acquired hearing problem myself. Always make this clear, and tell staff I can hear when they talk loud and slow to me. Which they do. Yet things often sink in later. Good for me that I most often get written information, too. Even if English isn't my mother tongue, I understand it well, when I read it.

I never thought about people who are not so familiar with the language, or who can't read, or who are not used to grasp medical complex issues. And yes, they must feel lost often. 

. . . . and those of us who do understand so often feel lost  . . . .

Maybe I've found my role as a retired teacher in the volunteer world