Stewart, one of our new committee members, has been interviewing supporters of Stamford and Rutland Cancer Support, and asking them about their experience regarding tests, scans and treatments. There will be a different interview each month.

This month Stewart asked Deirdre for her experience regarding various scans.

Stewart: Can you tell me about the moment you first found out you needed to undergo tests or scans?

Deirdre: I had suffered from back pain for some time and was referred to a Physiotherapy Clinic in Peterborough. I was examined and told I needed to go for an MRI Scan. I was told that my previous cancer(s) may have returned. I thought the physiotherapist didn’t know what she was talking about!

Stewart: What kind of tests or scans were you sent for, and how were they explained to you?

Deirdre: Initially, an MRI Scan of my pelvis and torso to check why I was suffering from back pain. Subsequently, a CT Scan, biopsy, and a PET scan.

Stewart: What was going through your mind in the days leading up to your first test or scan?

Deirdre: Not at all worried, just interested/curious to find out what the problem was.

Stewart: How did the medical staff treat you during the testing process?

Deirdre: Polite and professional.

Stewart: Were there any particular moments during the scan or test that stood out to you emotionally or physically?

Deirdre: The MRI Scan was noisy and lasted a long time (approx 1.5 hours).

Stewart: Did you feel well-informed and prepared going into the procedure? Why or why not?

Deirdre: Yes.

Stewart: How did you cope with the wait for results?

Deirdre: I had my MRI Scan on Christmas Eve, so I knew I would have to wait for the results until the New Year, and I was not expecting bad results. So, not at all bothered.

Stewart: What were your thoughts and feelings when you received your results?

Deirdre: I was initially told that my previous cancer (s) had returned, and I was being referred to the Oncology Department. I was totally shocked. I could not believe it, as my last cancer had been twenty years previously. I felt well apart from the back pain. In fact, I had a new primary soft tissue tumour in my retroperitoneum (Leiomyosarcoma).

Stewart: Have your experiences with testing changed over time as your treatment continued?

Deirdre: No. I am very used to three-monthly CT Scans with contrast.

Stewart: What advice would you give to someone who is about to go through similar tests or scans for the first time?

Deirdre: I would say try not to guess the possible outcome and not to look at Dr Google on the Internet, but I think that is virtually impossible.

Stewart: Did you find any comfort or support from certain people, routines, or environments during the testing process?

Deirdre: Not really. Although my friends were supportive, none of them has been diagnosed with cancer. My mother neither showed nor expressed any empathy, let alone sympathy. My partner struggles to express his feelings easily, he is the strong, silent type of person, but he was there for me. I didn’t tell my daughter until I knew what treatment was planned.

I felt alone. With hindsight, I wish that I had called the Sarcoma UK helpline for advice and support. I carried on working, and this routine helped somewhat. It happened just before the COVID-19 lockdown, and it was obvious that everyone’s lives were going to change.

What is a PET scan?

A PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography scan) is a medical imaging technique that shows how tissues and organs are functioning, not just what they look like.

A small amount of radioactive tracer (often a form of glucose, like FDG) is injected into the body.

Active cells (like cancer cells) use more glucose, so the tracer accumulates there.

The scanner detects the radiation from the tracer and builds a 3D image highlighting areas of higher or lower activity.

How it differs from other scans:

X-ray / CT scan: These mainly show structure and anatomy (bones, organs, density differences). A CT gives detailed “slices” of body structures but doesn’t reveal function.

MRI scan: Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissues. It’s very good for anatomy and soft tissue contrast, but not for metabolic activity.

PET scan: Focuses on function and metabolism—helpful in detecting cancer, assessing brain activity, or monitoring heart disease.