Noticed 3 nodules on my right lung (scared to death)

I personally would never see someone that would tell you they're 98% certain it's cancer! NEVER..it's a benign report and while you can never rule out cancer the the weight of the guidelines and millions and millions who have come before you do not remotely, not even the slightest point that way

@edivebuddy Like I said buddy! I am seeing you. I am so grateful for you to be an ambassador for this disease. Fighters and educators like you are the way this disease will be fought and defeated by individuals like yourself. I am truly blessed to have you in my corner. To be honest, I was at a loss of words when he was communicating with me. All I heard was 98 percent chance of being cancer and everything else was just a blur. I will notify the pulmonologist on the 9th of oct of what the other provider said. Im pretty sure it will be on my chart in the notes. Thank you so much buddy for helping me think rationally, instead of jumping the gun. I hope when all this situates itself out. Meet you and give you a big hug and a beer. You really are a friend and I really mean it.

@joe88 - I also am not comfortable with that person telling you they are 98% certain it’s cancer, especially over the phone! 2 tiny to small size solid nodules, even in the upper lung, do not necessarily point to cancer. How long have you had them? Have you had any flu, pneumonia, or colds before your scan? Usually solid nodules are actually a scar from a previous infection. Again, it’s NOT cancer until it is PROVEN to be. I don’t think I would talk to that other provider again. Remember, you are ALWAYS allowed to get a second opinion. Glad to hear you got your appointment moved up. I’m hoping it’s the sooner you get GOOD news!

Yeah you probably should stick with the z City of Hope. When you go there's a Japanese garden. It's beautiful and relaxing.

By far most lung Cancer patients don't have symptoms until it's pretty advanced, that's why over 60% of kung cancer diagnosis' are late stage and 2/3 rds of those will be stage 4. I nadhad no symptoms whatsoever. Mine was only found because I got stung by a couple hundred yellow jackets. 1 month later I was in the ICU with them telling me I needed brain dur6or I would die. Do the idea someone could diagnose lung cancer from a benign report based on symptoms that could be a thousand other things is actually scary! Anxiety can cause all of these and I have no doubts you're anxious but if you fixate on the least likely you're probably not going to find a cause. I had those very same symptoms in August. Fungal infection in my right lung started to spread to my left. 8 days in the hospital and I'm on an antifungal that is just kicking butt. My oncology thinks my right lung is done. But he thought I was done 6 year ago.

How did you get the screen ?.it would have been better if you were more prepared beforehand but up to half of all early stage lung cancers are diagnosed in people who do not meet the screening requirements. It's impressive. I don't know if it's worth all the stress you're putting yourself through, or the stress you're going to get waiting for your next CT scan in a Year. But impressive

@friend777 I have multifocal adenocarcinoma. it just means that different cancers can start (more easily) sometimes at the same time. I think that is putting the cart way before the horse. your nodules are very small and the radiologist didn't even recommend a biopsy yet. that said, I'm so glad you called and were able to have your doctor's appointment moved up a month. that is super helpful. hugs!

@edivebuddy he mentioned before he's an ex smoker, so I think that's why he was screened at a younger age. your yellow jacket attack to finding lung cancer journey is wild! my nodules were also found by accident. I thought I was having a tough time getting over a respiratory infection. my doctor thought it was asthma and sent me for an Xray. turns out one of my lobes had collapsed (atelectasis), so they sent me for a CT scan. surprise!

sorry to hear you've been dealing with a fungal infection. that sounds difficult. it's hard when our immune systems aren't as strong as they used to be. hope your antifungal continues to kick butt!

Yeah to get it paid for, insurance follows the guidelines and that requires 20 pack years. he smoked half a pack a day for 19 years which is only 9.5 pack years. And he'd still have to be 50.

The NCCCN suggests considering screening for individuals with high-risk profiles, such as Severe occupational exposure (silica, asbestos, diesel exhaust, arsenic) but getting the insurance to pony up is a Battle that if he did win, could benefit others on how he did.

@edivebuddy Hi Edivebuddy! My original pulmonologist just wanted to perform a yearly chest x ray. I told him about the time I was in the service with the coast guard, my relative working construction and being around him for many years and possibly being exposed to that stuff, alot. Being exposed to that stuff plus smoking increases one's chances of developing lung cancer much faster. I decided to drop the pulmonologist and talk to my PA about the history of both and concerned about lung cancer and why he wrote the order for the low dose ct chest scan. Meso is just one of the concerns but lung cancer associated with the other stuff is more prevalent than meso. I am sure my possible cancer case is due to the stuff plus smoking. I am almost certain that I will develop lung cancer presently or near future because the compound affect of the stuff and plus smoking.

Hello @friend777,

That is great you were able to move up your appointment.
The sooner you get answers, the sooner you’ll have a plan, I think then you’ll feel a lot better.

I’m sorry this person frightened you with his opinion.
It’s my understanding that a cancer diagnosis can’t be made without proper testing, a biopsy.

To tell you over the phone that he’s 98% sure it is cancer, plus what type he feels it is, I’m not comfortable with that.

A possible cancer diagnosis is frightening, and with the immense stress you are feeling due to that, perhaps this will help, when you catch yourself in a “what if” thought… try to answer it…
“I’ll deal with that when and only if I have to”….

Perhaps doing something meanwhile until you know for certain what is going on….. going for a walk, coloring…. baking… exercise… music… a distraction from the stress and something you enjoy.
Something at the very least to balance out the stress with.

Positive thoughts your way.
Hugs 🤗 Daisy

It is a scary time when you learn there are nodules. Your nodules are small. I imagine that your doctor will want you to have CT scans every few months to see if they change. Your history of smoking put you into a higher risk category, so they will want to make sure that you are okay.

For now, deep breath. I don't understand the word "benign" since that couldn't be determined at a small size with a low-dose CT. It was most likely just an opinion.

The important thing is the suggestion to follow up with another CT scan to see if the nodules change. Many good thoughts coming your way that they stay small and unremarkable. Hugs.