I saw my GP on the Monday and he faxed a referral through to the breast clinic.  I was asked to attend the clinic on the Wednesday and was told by the consultant/surgeon on that day that he was 99% sure I had breast cancer and took a biopsy for confirmation.  He phoned me on the Friday with the news that he was now 100% sure. x

I was told by the consultant at the hospital after a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy - quite conventionally. The only thing was,I was extremely calm because I already knew, and as unbelievable as this sounds, my dog 'told' me.  She had been nudging my breast  with her nose and sniffing to the point I had to put her in her cage to get some peace. I think she smelled something different on me because since I have had my lumpectomy she has behaved quite normally  and curls up and goes to sleep on my lap.  I am taking this as a good sign that all the cancer has been taken out! 

Xx

After hysteroscopy and scans I went back to the hospital for results. The nurse was coming into the waiting room to call patients in but when it came to my turn the consultant, a lovely, kind man, came out and took me in.  He and a specialist nurse told me and spoke to me answering all my questions for about half an hour.

After my GP referral to the colorectal consultant, I was given a physical examination and at that initial appointment, the consultant told me that he was fairly certain I had bowel Cancer. He fast-tracked me for scans and tests and then confirmed the diagnosis in his outpatients clinic a few weeks later. 

On some occasions over the past two years I have opted to be given results over the telephone, but I'd indicated to the team that I was happy to receive news in this way (it meant less of a trek to the hospital) This was always followed up with a letter that I had been copied in to, explaining the results, treatment plans etc and I was also advised / encouraged to contact any of the specialist nurses / consultant's secretaries if I wished to ask questions or make another clinic appointment to discuss anything with the doctor. 

Kim,

Your hospital broke all the rules in informing you by letter. My guess is that this was down to human error and that you should complain to help stop it happening again.

I was told in the middle of my gastroscopy, the upper GI consultant was supposed to be checking for a peptic ulcer but found "a large lump, I'll take some biopsies" before he reached my stomach. The atmosphere in the room suddenly changed and he switched from asking the nurse where she was going on holiday.

The diagnosis was confirmed a few days (it felt like weeks) later, when the incurable and inoperable phrase was used for the first time and I was told I might only have weeks to live.  Strangely I was unphased by this as I had built myself up to expect the worst but my wife was knocked for six, as were the rest of my family.I wasn't being brave, just numbed.

Dave

Hi very sorry to hear  about your news. I was told two weeks  ago that I have brest cancer.  I don't want to read any books about it. As I keep hoping it's all a dream and I will wake up. I feel so tired 

I went in for removal of dermoid cyst on ovary, but surprise surprise they traced it to my large bowel, so I was told not long after I woke up from surgery.  Was so high on morphine I remember hearing the words bowel cancer but don't think it registered.  In fact I rolled on with life and my recovery from surgery not even giving cancer another thought........ until I got my appointment with my Oncologist, then it was YIKES!!

li Kimchoson,

After having had mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy I was told there and then (one stop clinic for which I had to pay privately) - breast cancer. 

My father, unfortunately, was told over the phone - secondary cancer of the bile ducts (primary unknown). Four and a half years later I still find this very upsetting. 

X

My dad fell unwell and was in hospital for around 10 days where he had X-ray, MRI and ultrasound. He was discharged from hospital and a week later received an appointment to Macmillan. From that moment in we knew it was cancer. He sadly passed 3 days after the consultant appointment. 

Hi 

After having been referred to the breast clinic and having a scan and a biopsy taken which was inconclusive only to have another one 2 weeks later.

This time I was told I would be seen 3 days later in clinic for the results..the Dr taking the biopsy seemed concerned I could feel the atmosphere.He was insistent I would be seen in person rather than written to this time.

3 days later shown to a room-consultant walks in and introduced the breast cancer care nurse who tells me she's going to sit and hold my hand..enough said that said it all for her!! 

Ness