Hiya , so for the last 2 years I have been having surveillance scans for multiple lung nodules, had my last ct scan without contrast (as I’m allergic) the end of November 2024 which revealed no change , I got a chest infection the end of December which included bringing up a few small amounts of blood mixed with phlegm, I was prescribed a 10 day course of antibiotics which helped a lot, but the cough itself lingered , beginning of March back on antibiotics for my chest , and the beginning of May needing antibiotics again , I’m coughing such a lot my chest feels bruised , gp has referred me for a chest x ray which is 2 weeks away , had oncology appointment over the phone last week , wasn’t my usual oncologist, told him what’s been happening and that I’m concerned, he said because there was no change to my scan in November he wasn’t worried and that I shouldn’t worry and that instead of my next appointment being in 2-3 months as it usually is he said 12 months , I will be getting an appointment with my gp next week , I just feel with how I’m suffering with my chest and with my history that it’s something that needs looking into , but now oncology are saying see you in a year , and I feel like there’s only so much a gp can do , any advice would be very much appreciated, Thankyou
Hi @michelle1985 - I’m not surprised you are worried - we are told to be vigilant (although not let it take over our lives ) for the signs of secondary cancer so it’s natural you want this ruling out , especially as you have had lung nodules monitored .
It’s likely youve had a nasty chest infection - that is being somewhat persistent but obviously you want to know it’s not secondary cancer .
In your shoes , I’d get back in touch with your oncologist secretary and ask for an appointment to see your own oncologist , it is possible to get an appointment with your own oncologist if you ask as I’ve had to do this myself. Explain you aren’t happy with the last appointment .
You might also be able to contact one of the breast nurses to see if they can email your oncologist ? I know that if I contact mine they are usually very helpful in following up oncology
Who are the chest x Ray results going to ? Your oncologist or gp ?
Arty1
Push for it and say if you don’t get a full check up/scan you will hold them responsible and sue them for negligence if you don’t get one should anything happen to you. It might not be in your nature to be forceful but you must, something is telling you to get it all checked out, you know your body better than anyone. Stand your ground, be firm and not fobbed off 
Shi xx
Thankyou for your reply , the x ray results will be going back to my gp, I just worry is a x ray sufficient enough , I honestly thought I’d be sent for a ct scan .
Thankyou for your reply , I will call my oncologists secretary on Tuesday and see if she can help , the doctor that called me just over talked me constantly and made me feel like I want to have cancer , I said to him I’m happy that my previous scans were good and that they didn’t show anything concerning but I’ve been poorly for some time since and I’m concerned about that , I won’t be able to rest until I’m checked properly especially with how I’m coughing .
@michelle1985 - I’ve found that depending on the hospital they seem to prefer x Ray first as this exposes you to the lowest dose of radiation … CT scans etc all expose you to a higher level which obviously over time can slightly increase your cancer risk , which obviously your HCP don’t want to happen when you’ve already had cancer .
I suspect if the x ray flags anything , your GP will then order a CT but tbh it should be your oncologist doing this .
I complained of hip and rib pain and was sent for an x Ray , the x Ray was unremarkable but I insisted on further investigation and my oncologist was happy to book in a bone scan. Which I’m having in two weeks
One thing I’ve learned is not to be afraid to advocate for yourself , after a cancer diagnosis , we’ve every right to be concerned about new symptoms and we should be treated seriously and sent for the relevant testing x
Arty1
Start gathering names and times and dates, let them know you mean business if you don’t get what you want, this is your life you are trusting them to do what they are paid to do which is take care of you, be firm Shi xx
Hi michelle1985,
Sorry to read that you are so worried. I was in a similar position to you last Autumn. I had two dreadful chest infections (I’m prone), and my GP said it could be pneumonia. I’d been coughing for weeks, prior to that croaky voice for months (had tests but all fine, caused by reflux). I was very worried that I may have mets to my lungs after my BC diagnosis 3 years ago. My GP wasn’t overly concerned as I’d had a clear chest x-ray the previous year, but agreed to a CT without contrast which was all okay. Didn’t stop me feeling awful though.
I spent weeks on steroids, nebulisers and antibiotics and finally had a brown inhaler last March. In all likelihood I’m asthmatic and at long last I’m finally feeling much better. It really can take months to recover from a very nasty chest infection. In all likelihood that’s the cause of your issues too, given your scan results and I hope my experience may give you some reassurance.
However, you know yourself best and if you think you need further reassurance or tests then please do keep pressing for them. I found my GP more sympathetic than the breast clinic, and my nurse and oncoplastic breast surgeon didn’t take my worries any further or seriously at all. Thankfully they were right, but I’m glad I pressed for and got the reassurance I needed from the CT scan via my GP.
All the best x
Thankyou for your reply and I’m very sorry to hear that you’ve had such a rough time with your chest , im glad to hear that things are on the mend and that you are starting to feel better , I am not prone to chest infections so for me this is something new and not usual for me , I am going to make some phone calls on Tuesday to see if I can get anywhere, my gp urged me to discuss this with my oncologist as she herself is concerned , i never go straight to the doctors when I am ill I always wait a number of weeks to see if it gets better on its own , it’s actually quite worrying for me that I’m not getting checked over properly as my dad passed away 9 months , by time he was listened to it was a terminal diagnosis, I’m not letting this cloud my judgement but at the same time it makes me know even more the importance of potential cancers being caught as early as possible.
Michelle, I can see you have had some great advice from our lovely ladies, totally agree with each and everyone of them.
Keep pushing for the answers you want, wishing you well.
Biggest hugs Tili 
Thankyou Tili, I am definitely going to try and get some help this week , you know your own body and when something isn’t right , just wish that I didn’t have a battle to get checked .
Hi michelle1985
Thank you for your post.
It is understandable that you’re concerned, as you are being monitored for lung nodules and have a persistent cough. It is difficult when you have worrying symptoms, as @Frances55 says.
It is good to hear that you are seeing your GP again, they have referred you for a chest x ray and you are finding them supportive. From your posts on the forum, it looks like you have taken @arty1and @Shi’s recommendations and are going to call the oncologists secretary today. Do tell them how concerned you are and maybe ask for a face-to-face appointment with the oncologist. You could also contact your breast care nurse and talk about your symptoms and concerns again.
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