treatment delays

What hospital are you under? Seems rare to have 2 pet scans they are so expensive (unless the first one was inconclusive) 

X cathy

Hello terradactyl15, and welcome to the club no-one wants to be a member of.

From my own experience, and I am sure there are more knowledgeable people on here, I was told that once diagnosed you are put on a "cancer pathway" and treatment should within 60 days, so six months seems an inordinately long time. I was diagnosed at the beginning of February and started treatment in April. You need to push for something to start happening.

Hi 

This does not sound right to me. As you have had a biopsy, have they told you what type of lung cancer you have? Also are you from the uk? Are you being treated under the NHS? 

Hi

No this is not the usual process. 

The current targets are:

• no more than 2 months (62 days) wait between the date the hospital receives an urgent referral for suspected cancer and the start of treatment
• no more than 31 days wait between the meeting at which you and your doctor agree the treatment plan and the start of treatment

If I was you I would be requesting an urgent meeting with the Consultant to convey your concerns regarding the delays and to find out what is going on.

To be honest I would have serious doubts about a Consultant who was unsure of what treatment to take, especially after all the testing and the delays in providing the previously agreed treatment.

Please remember that your health is your responsibility so please do not sit and wait, get on the phone today.

I hope you get this sorted asap.

Kegsy x

Hi Terradactyl5,

I am in a similar position and also thought that I was in an unusual position, but certainly for sclc it appears not to be unusual. Looking at the National Lung Cancer Audit, I found that 30% of people in the UK do not get chemo for small cell. In some hospital trusts over 50% don't get chemo.

It was explained to me that chemo can hit really hard, and if you will not tolerate it, it isn't a viable option and better quality of life can be had without it.

It is hard to accept and I still find it difficult to come to terms with. I was shocked when I found the information, but it is publicly available but probably not well publicised.

Best wishes to you.

Hi Bob

Did you have similar delays  in getting treatment as has Terradactyl5?

What treatment did you have for your SCLC?  Did you have radiotherapy?

Chemo is not always prescribed for a lot of cancers not just SCLC, if as you have rightly stated  the medical team believe that the patient will not be able to tolerate it. Sadly many people believe that radiotherapy on its own is not a curative treatment and is only a second option; this is wrong as radiotherapy is a stand alone curative treatment in its own right. 

I hope this helps.

Kegsy x