Having attended the urology department at broomfield hospital in April 2017 I am sad to report that the communication of cancer diagnosis to patients is still cruel and unacceptable.
After my examination, I sat with a registrar and nurse with my husband alongside. I was absolutely paralysed with fear as I had survived a stage 4 cancer some eight years ago and knew perfectly well the effect of surgeries and their follow on treatments. The registrar completely ignored my sobbing and started to outline treatments to my husband who stopped them and asked what they were talking about.
The reply (very curt and presumably annoyed he'd been stopped midstream) replied - "well obviously SHE'S got cancer" with a vague finger wag in my direction. My husband politely pointed out that I was very traumatised by this news and could the registrar perhaps take a moment to let this awful news sink in.
The registrar was very irritated and reprimanded my husband for not knowing that this was an outpatient department where they did examinations and give results, and they do not have the time or resources for anything beyond that. Perhaps someone should tell this registrar that compassion is free of charge and is a fundamental part of being a human being.
"How not to tell someone they have cancer"
About: Broomfield Hospital / Oncology Broomfield Hospital Oncology Chelmsford CM1 7ET
Posted by Iamnotannhsnumber (as ),
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