A Cancer Story

My mum has recently (21.02.07) died of lung cancer (as well as many other secondary forms of cancer). I first had fears that my mum had lung cancer back in November 06. To me (Joe public) it was not rocket science, ALL the signs were there. I will give you a brief outline of my mums medical history. My mum had a minor heart attack approx 15 years ago and she has undergone 2 triple heart bypasses. She also suffered with emphysema for the last 15 years. Therefore my mum has been in and out of hospital for as long as I can remember. She has had numerous chest x rays which for the last couple of years have shown what has been described to us as "a grey area" or "a shadow" when ever I have gone to question this my mum has ALWAYS told me to hush my mouth and that the docs know what they are doing !!! As my mum also suffered with anxiety attacks I have had to do as I'm told in the past ! The docs have either stated that the "grey area" was a blood clot and started injecting a blood thinning substance into her stomach for 4 to 7 days or we have been told that it is the emphysema deteriorating. to cut a very long story short every time my mum has been sent home from hospital with NEVER an inkling that cancer may be present and NEVER a plan for further investigation (ct scan). She was even sent home 6 weeks before she died with a pamphlet on breathing exercises to help control her anxiety as this was what was making her feel ill !!! I think that various health professionals thought some time ago that cancer may be present but looking at the medical history decided that there was not a lot point and also that any TREATMENT given would be v costly to a person that had already had her fair share of NHS funds. I know your first reaction would be.... NO, they wouldn't be able to do that, but nothing else adds up to me. I wondered if anyone could come up with any other explanation or if anyone else has had a similar experience or lastly point me in the right direction of how I can go about looking into this further. I have completed the form to obtain my mothers medical records, but where I go from there ??? Please help. Jeanette.