How to convince my dad to get a biopsy?
My dad had 4 spots on his lung and he was worried it was lung cancer because when he was younger he worked around asbestos. After the chest x-ray he h...
My dad had 4 spots on his lung and he was worried it was lung cancer because when he was younger he worked around asbestos. After the chest x-ray he had a CT scan. The results came back today that they are (from what my dad has told me) are calcium build up spots and could or couldn't be cancer cell. They could be scars but no one would know until a biopsy. My dad opted against it because he had one along time ago I believe and he said it was VERY painful and he has a huge phobia of doctors and hates it.
The doctors got together and told him since they were so small, he could come back in a year and have another chest x-ray and they could compare to see if they got bigger. Now to me that's just plain stupid and horrible advice from a doctor. Why risk it? Why not just get the biopsy and rule out if it is cancer. Or if it is, catch it early before he goes back in a year and it be 4 times in size and be told "if only you did the biopsy could we have saved your life"
My dad does a lot for me, and usually puts me before himself. I'm going to business school and something like this would haunt me everyday unless he does it. My dad believes there is no cure for lung cancer, however I read that if you catch it early your chances are way higher.
Where can I find proof that catching any kind of lung cancer is better then waiting? Proof that a biopsy is a good idea. Please help me.
I think the main factor for not doing it is because the doctors said they were small and "nothing yet" however that is horrible information because if it is cancer it could become very bad within a year.
Also, i'm not looking for "he should suck it up" or do it, I'm looking for links with prove that there is cures, and caught early can improve your chances a lot because I want to show him the proof. Also he's 58 and has nothing else wrong with him (had blood tests done to make sure of other things)
Well, if the doctors thought is could be serious they would have insisted. But, from your honest and well written delma, I think no one is really worried "at this point.
Your dad knows his body well. BUT, here IS what you can do in the mean time. Pay attention and remind him early to get that checked out. I’d start nagging at 5-7 months.
Also and VERY IMPORTANT….. if you notice he’s more tired than usual or isn’t breathing as well or is losing weight or not eating.
You can down right demand he get it checked out right away and that you need him around.
Untill then, just try to trust his judgement. Besides, he knows what’s involved in all the tests and stuff. It can take the life right out of you. Perhaps he just can’t deal with it right now. He will when he feels he should.
He’s lucky to have your love. Good luck
ok im 17 and ive had cancer 4 times, ha, and also had deposits on my lungs, they thought it was tumors but they waited a few months after to check on them but they did not grow. so they were just deposits. maybe go back in 6months or so. and if he is feeling pain not 2 be mean but he should get a biopsy, and suck it up. think about kids like me who have had it 4 times! with tons of surgeries
Attached below is a link to the Merck Manual chapter on lung cancer. It includes a 5-year survival chart for patients based on cancer stage. It demonstrates that early detection and treatment is beneficial, because early stage cancer has higher survival rates.
Regardless of what any chart says, you need to respect your father’s right to make his own medical decisions. It is his life, not yours. One of the most disrespectful things that anyone can do is to interject their opinion into a highly personal matter, such as a health care decision.
You also need to respect the medical judgment of health care professionals. If a doctor gives a medical opinion, then he or she has earned the right to do so based on completion of medical school, state licensing, and years of clinical experience.
It is understandable that you want the best for your father, but you must express those feelings in a constructive manner which acknowledges that your father is in charge of his own health decisions, not you. In fact, the more you pester him, the less likely he is to listen to what you say.
I’m not convinced your dad should have a biopsy. There is something wrong with this scenario and I think it’s better to be sure you really have the facts first. It would be very unusual to see 4 spots call them calcium deposits and at the same time say they could be cancer or scars. I think you should look at the reports and see what they actually say. If the doctor recommends a biopsy he or she will say so in the report. Doctors do not get together and decide this. If they are too small to determine what they are a follow up CT is recommended, but it is usually 3-6 months later, not a year and knowing your dad had asbestos exposure it would not be a year. Usually lung cancer does not present as multiple spots like this. Early stage lung cancer can be survivable I see it all the time. However, mesothelioma is not usually survivable regardless of the stage at diagnosis. Also, should your dad need a biopsy let him know equipment and technology has come a long way since his last one and they are better tolerated now. Best wishes.