CT lung cancer screening

I had to have a follow-up chest x-ray because the last one disclosed an "infiltrate". i had my repeat x-ray Tuesday morning. My doctor's appointment was Friday evening to review the results. I sweated out that week. At my appointment today my doctor conducts a physical but never mentions the x-ray. Finally I insist on an answer. He looks surprised than admits he forgot why I was there but assured me the x-ray results would be on his computer and he'll read them now. Checking his computer he finds the radiologist never sent them, (amd my doctor never asked for the report). I'm assured he will track down the report next week (the radiologist was closed) and "good or bad" call me. This is another example of why I have no faith in our medical system.

@joelars- And with this examples I agree with you. This is horrible. Looks like your doctor's mind was on something else. And so was the radiologist's. I don't know where you live or if it's possible for you to go somewhere else but if you can I suggest that you do. In my opinion this isn't just about having faith in the system but a break down in training, including protocols and patient doctor relationships among a few. Can you tell that I am furious for you? He came right out and said that he didn't know why you were there.... Oh man, I am so sorry this happened after all the anticipation.
I'm holding back with my fury. Are you ok? can you look somewhere else Joe?

@merpreb
Hi. my name is larry joel is my middle name.
Thanks for the empathy.
I conclude that many doctors don't know how common lung cancer is in former smokers and also the "business of medicine" subsumes much of their time.
In defense of my primary (I like him) he didn't remember why I was there because the imaging company didn't send him the new x-ray. His procedure is common practice: when he receives a new test (often they're blood tests) he reads the reports and only when they contain abnormalities he calls me in. But this time (the only time) I scheduled the appointment to take place after the results were in regardless of the results. The "lucky" part is if I didn't, since I wouldn't have gotten "the call" I would have concluded the test was negative, when it's maybe positive, and that positive test would have sat in the imaging office indefinitely. Worse, as I developed symptoms I would have ignored them reassuring myself I recently tested "clean." and it is "only" my COPD.

I just read (on the net) 60% of new lung cancer diagnosis" come from ex-smokers. Of those 60% about 30% are people (in my group) who quit between 10-20 years. Moreover, my group's chances of lung cancer is still 7 times higher than a never smoker. Even 30 years after quitting my odds are 3x higher(that's as low as it gets).
I'm not even considering not getting cancer as realistic. I (have to) put my hope in early detection. My primary can't help much there. I would need to see an oncologist to arrange yearly scans? They would take it seriously?

Larry, I would suggest scans every 6 mos. I am a breast cancer survivor. Mine was found because of scans every 6 mos. I had one nodule and a wedge resection. 6 mos. later, 2 more nodules were visible but too small to biopsy. I am now getting a scan every 3 mos. waiting for them to be large enough to biopsy. My next scans are next week. I too am a former smoker but only quit 8 yrs ago. Before I can have treatment, they need to determine if it is lung cancer or breast cancer since I have had both.

@merpreb as a follow-up, I don't want to appear self-righteous or hypocritical when criticizing medical providers. I'm a lawyer. None of us, me included, can extricate ourselves from conflicts of interests inherent in professional relationships. In this case, that doesn't excuse the imaging company. They hurt their self-interest by not faxing the report and gained nothing.
But doctor's are used to not having to memorize the details of a patient's history and they rely on the specialists who provide them the reports they interpret for us. Without that report my doc wouldn't know that I had the x-ray.

Although, wouldn't it be nice if in addition to the numerous computer generated messages reminding you of your appointment they took a moment to think about why you are coming, and not just worry about a no-show, missed fee?

@cwi thanks for your response.
I will lobby for 1x a year but I'll take the docs recommendation. Do you think I should use an oncologist to oversee the scans even though I have never had cancer or a pulmonologist (even though mine dismissed me years ago)?

@joelars- Hi Larry, it's finally nice to meet you! 🙂 I understand about liking your doctor and you have a valid point about his routine. I just got so mad.. Anyway it looks like you wont stay away form all of the statistics about lung cancer. Not everyone who has smoked will get lung cancer. This from the National Cancer Institute: Lung, larynx (voice box), mouth, esophagus, throat, bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreas, colon and rectum, and cervix, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.
If you are a former smoker you will definitely have emphysema or COPD or COPD and emphysema, which I have.

https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/who-should-be-screened-for-lung-cancer.html
http://www.choosingwisely.org/patient-resources/ct-scans-to-find-lung-cancer-in-smokers/
I would suggest getting a pulmonologist and at least have breathing tests and if you don't already a rescue inhaler if you should need one. Can you get a referral?

@cwm1- I'm so sorry that you've been hit with cancer in two places. For years I had a scan once a year because my scans were clean after my first lobectomy. That lasted about 5 years. I am every 6 months now because I am stable enough. The number of CT scans and the time in between have to be carefully measured because you might have to return over and over again like I have needed to for 21 years and run out of options.
I wish you good luck with your scans next week so that you can get on with being treated and get rid of it all. How long do you wait to find out the results?

Merry, fortunately I go to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. So I have my scan in the morning and get the results the same afternoon. I am beyond thankful that I had the sense to walk away from our local drs. after they totally missed the lump in my breast biopsy. I walked in the door and called Mayo before even sitting down. I haven’t regretted making that call for even one second. The longest I have ever waited is until the next morning and that was only because the scan was done late afternoon. When I read how long some people wait, I cringe. The stress is bad enough; having to wait longer would drive me over the edge.

@cwm1- I go to MGH which is another state away. I am also fortunate but there are people who can't afford that or do not have out of state insurance. I'm not sure that it has anything to do with common sense or economics. I also have received my scan results right way but all of my doctors and I have decided that I have my CT scan and return a few days later for a full explanation with the radiologist's report because radiologist have special measurement equipment to measure nodules or lesions and that can make a difference, at least for me. I have a lot of lesions and if they grow and become a certain size they need to be either zapped or surgically removed. I have very little "curative" options left so I'm being triaged so that the safest and most prudent methods are used so that I do not run out of options.
Waiting for test results is extremely stressful. How do you get beyond that?
(I know that you are new to connect but would you mind using the @ and user's name to make it easier for me to follow?) Thank you