Re: Ex smoker with fear of lung cancer
Originally Posted by
Louisa1983
I’m very glad you got checked out panic_down_under I did get a CXR last October due to constant cough. Clear.
Most lung cancers grow relatively slowly so if you had the all clear a year ago it is unlikely one has grown big enough to have metastasised to the brain and now be large enough there to trigger headaches, etc.
Actually- you’re in Oz right? Out of interest is that an agreement you made with your doc? Just as I can’t see mine agreeing to this ( NHS in UK)
GPs here have more latitude in prescribing than seems to be the case for their UK colleagues, plus we're not bound to one. If we have a mind to and enough time and cash there is nothing to stop us consulting every GP in the land. I also had other risk factors besides having smoked for about a decade which probably played a part, plus I'm a cranky old bugger who usually gets his way. My new GP seems okay with continuing with regular screenings. In fact my biggest issue with her is she is always wanting me to have more tests every time something a little unusual crops up which seems to be happening more often as I plunge ever further into the decrepitude of old age. She is gradually having every organ of my carcase evaluated in great detail. I can't wait till she gets to the one between my ears. Now that is really going to blow her mind!
The NHS seems to be implementing lung cancer *screenings in some areas, albeit mostly with CT scans which may be excessive. Chest x-rays can pick up small stage I nodules and these days the radiation exposure they produce is tiny, about a quarter of that emitted during a mammogram which are considered an acceptable risk.
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The opinions expressed above are based on my observations and, where applicable, interpretation of cited data and are general in nature. Consult your physician before acting on anything stated.