Why am I not having a PET scan?

[Cornishnat]

Three weeks ago I was admitted to hospital with breathing problems and found to have a pleural effusion. After testing, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (it’s been 14 years since my first diagnosis). Even though I am a category one patient I still have to wait for another two weeks for my initial oncologist. I am confused as to why I am not having a PET scan before I go to see her. I’ve queried it with the clinic and they have said that the doctor will decide if I need one at the appointment. 

I thought that it would be a good idea to have had all of the information to hand at the initial appointment to save time later. 

I know the scan subjects me to more radiation but is there another reason why I wouldn’t be having one soon? The doctors at the Acute Medical Unit where I was an a inpatient for a few days while my lung was being drained, told me that the PET scan would happen a couple of days before I saw the oncologist. I am very confused. 

[Felicity_CCNSW]

Hi @Cornishnat 

It's Felicity from the Cancer Council Counselling and Peer Support Team. 

Welcome to the Online Community and its great that you have reached out to the community. 

I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis and for what you have had to go through it such a short amount of time. It can be very overwhelming to navigate and the Cancer Council can support you with this. 

If you are located in Australia, please know that you can call Cancer Council on 13 11 20. You will come through to one of our health professionals and they can help you navigate through it. 

Perhaps others in this thread could share how they navigated through the initial stages of a metastatic diagnosis?

Take care,

Felicity

Cancer Council Online Community Moderator