Suspected lung cancer

When an X-ray or scan shows something that could be lung cancer, it is a frightening time. But suspected lung cancer is not a diagnosis.

Many things can show up on a scan, and not all of them are cancer. At this stage, the next step is usually more tests to find out what is there. Knowing what is happening, who to contact and what comes next can make the wait a little easier.

Why clear information is so important

Waiting to find out whether you have lung cancer is hard. Clear information about what a scan has shown, what tests come next and who to contact can make a real difference. Yet almost 1 in 5 people affected by lung cancer told us they were given little or no information about what would happen next.

What happens when lung cancer is suspected

Lung cancer nurses are often the first people to talk to someone after a scan has found something concerning.

When lung cancer was suspected

“I was fit and healthy. Yet unknown to myself I had stage 4 lung cancer.”
— Amanda

Amanda had no symptoms when a routine heart scan found something in her lung. Her GP gave her the news and arranged for her to see a specialist the very next morning. A week later, she had her diagnosis.

Read Amanda's Story

Stories about suspected lung cancer

Stories
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When allergy medicine wasn't working: Frances's lung cancer diagnosis

Frances thought her cough was hay fever. When her allergy medicine stopped working, an X-ray found stage 4 lung cancer.

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I went in for lung cancer surgery and woke up stage 4
I went in for lung cancer surgery and woke up stage 4

Maria's lung cancer was found by chance during tests for her gallbladder. She went in for surgery, and woke up to find it had spread.

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They thought it was long Covid: Samantha's lung cancer diagnosis
They thought it was long Covid: Samantha's lung cancer diagnosis

Samantha was breathless, hoarse and exhausted. For six months, it was put down to long Covid, until she pushed for an X-ray.

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Misdiagnosed with TB: six months to a lung cancer diagnosis
Misdiagnosed with TB: six months to a lung cancer diagnosis

Natasha had a hoarse voice, a cough and was losing weight. She was first investigated for TB, and diagnosed with lung cancer six months after her symptoms began.

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  • What has the scan or X-ray shown?

  • What tests will I need next, and when?

  • How long will it take to get the results?

  • Who can I contact if I have questions or feel worried?

Write the answers down, or bring someone with you to listen.
It is fine to ask the same question more than once.

If you have been told lung cancer is suspected, it can help to ask:

know the symptoms
find support in your country

From first symptom to diagnosis

Five stages, each told from both sides.

  1. Noticing something When something changes, and deciding what to do about it
  2. Going to primary care The first appointment, from both sides of the desk
  3. Suspected lung cancer When a scan shows something, but there is no answer yet
  4. Tests and getting an answer Scans, biopsies and the team keeping everything moving
  5. Diagnosis and what comes next The right diagnosis, and the support that follows