Told on phone I had breast cancer

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Ddelorable
Ddelorable Member Posts: 7
edited October 2017 in Waiting for Test Results

So a little over a week ago, I became concerned about an area in my breast and went to the doctor right away. He referred me to mammogram and ultrasound, and the radiologist referred me back to get two different kinds of biopsies.

When I answered the phone expecting the referral for the biopsy, the girl on the phone (some kind of desk staff?), told me the doctor says I have a malignancy, and I'm being referred to a breast surgeon. When I asked how that could be concluded without a biopsy, and said I was supposed to be getting a referral for that, she said she didn't have any information about that but repeated the malignancy/surgery information.

I asked to have the doctor call me, which took more than 4 hours. Some kind of higher desk staff called me back and explained that I have a POSSIBLE malignancy, and that the breast surgeon will perform the biopsy.

I'm very scared right now, and the rollercoaster of emotions has been very intense. I have an 18 month old and a 3 year old at home, and I'm terrified.

Anxiously awaiting getting my biopsy appointment, but really shocked at the irresponsibility of my doctors office, and their Willy nilly calling of patients and diagnosing them over the phone.


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  • MARIONSGIRL
    MARIONSGIRL Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2017

    Sorry for what you are going through! I would complain to the doctor about the phone call. Do you like your doctor? Is he your PCP? My breast cancer was found on a routine mammogram and ultrasound. I was then told by the radiologist that he wanted me to have a stereotactic biopsy and that showed the cancer. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. I love all my doctors and they are all readily accessible to me, either by phone or email. I am being treated at Dana Farber and they are excellent. If you are not happy with how they communicate with you, ask to speak to your doctor and only him. Or send him an email or even write him a letter. I have a great PCP who I email and text, I email or call my medical oncologist and same with my surgeon. Best of luck!

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  • cliff
    cliff Member Posts: 290
    edited March 2017

    that seems to be the norm these days. I called my doctors office Monday about severe back cramps, and told the recording that I would get off work at 3;30. they waited to call after 5 pm, and I cant get to my work phone till the next day. so I waited another day in pain to find out I had a prescription waiting at the pharmacy. still didn't get to talk to anyone.

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited March 2017

    I'm sorry that happened to you, sometimes staff members don't realize the impact their words have on us. I had a similar experience. After I was diagnosed with BC in my left breast the surgeon ordered an MRI. A couple of days after the MRI I was waiting for the results when I got a phone call from a completely different office that does mammograms and biopsies (NOT the one I went to originally) and the woman insisted I needed to schedule a mammogram (which I had just had a couple of weeks ago at another facility) and biopsy of my right breast. I asked her why and she said that the MRI results showed that I needed one. When I told her that no one had even called me about my results yet and that I had no idea who the doctor she was referring to was she basically blew that off and tried to insist I schedule an appointment with her. I got off the phone and called my surgeon, who was pissed that they had done that to me and called to complain for me.

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  • Ruby3813
    Ruby3813 Member Posts: 96
    edited March 2017

    Delorable,

    Yes, it seems to be the norm these days, unfortunately. When the radiologist told me (in person) that the mammo and ultra sound showed something suspicious, he referred me to a breast center for a core needle biopsy. Some admin person called me after they got the results from that and said "no cancer cells were detected, but we're referring you to a breast surgeon for further testing/biopsy". Then, after the biopsy results came back, the breast surgeon called me on the phone to tell me it was cancer. We did have a meeting to sit down with my family so he could go over the entire pathology report and advise me on further treatment, but I was initially told of the bad news over the phone.

    In the movies, it's always more dramatic! But it seems like breast cancer is treated much the same as having the flu nowadays. SO MANY women have it at one stage or another!

    I wish you all the best and I pray every morning for everyone on here!

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited March 2017

    I was told over the phone by the radiologist. I was at work and I got the call during my lunch hour. It was like time stopped and I went numb. I will never forget that. As soon as the phone rang and I saw the caller ID I knew. I had a feeling it was coming though, because the previous day after the biopsy the radiologist told me she was actually worried about the lump. So she gave me the initial "we know it's cancer" news. And then the nurse navigator followed up a few days later and called with the actual pathology.

    I wish I were on an email basis with my PCP. that would be great!

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited March 2017

    so I guess it seems to me that the actual use of a phone may not be as impactful as the way in which the person (or in fact which person) gives the news. I was actually thankful that my bs took the time to call me, from his car, after he had left the office for the day, so that I didn't have to wait one more night not knowing. The not knowing was the worst. And having to wait, arbitrarily, for a scheduler to reach me on the phone, an appointment slot to open up, and for me to have to get off work and trot myself all the way over to his office to get the news doesn't/didn't make sense to me. He gave me the news and then told me to call his office and book an hour appointment (made room the next day for me) and to bring my questions and someone who could help me take notes so we could discuss it all at length. If I had gone in, not knowing, I'm not sure I could have been prepared or ready to really discuss my options.

    Hearing false/misleading information from some random person (i.e. "some kind of desk staff") seems different to me. Yes, it was gut wrenching, awful news. And to hear it on the phone wasn't great. But I did appreciate it.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited March 2017

    Well, THAT was unprofessional! It's not so unusual for a doctor to call you with results of your imaging, but he should NEVER authorize someone in his office to call you with something as serious as possible breast cancer, let alone saying you have a definite malignancy! I am stunned at the audacity~!

    You are right. No one can make a definitive diagnosis without a biopsy. Imaging can suggest the reasonable expectation of malignancy, but it isn't 100% reliable. It's not cancer until they can confirm it's cancer BY BIOPSY.

    Hang in there. I am very sorry they have needlessly upset you and made you more anxious. Shame, shame on them!

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  • Ddelorable
    Ddelorable Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2017

    I forgot about this thread! I ultimately received my diagnosis over the phone from the breast surgeon at 6:30am from his cell phone. I was actually grateful he took the time before a surgery to call me, but re reading this I am still reeling at a receptionist telling me I had cancer before any tests were even done

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