How to talk to your doctor about brain tumour symptoms

GP appointments are usually quite short. So, it’s important to understand how to talk to your doctor if you have brain tumour symptoms. Here we’ll discuss what might happen during your appointment and what questions you might want to ask.

On this page:

• What to do if you have brain tumour symptoms
• Quick tips on how to talk to your doctor
• What to do before your GP appointment
• What to do during your appointment
• Results of your GP appointment
• What happens after your appointment
• What if I’m struggling to see my GP?

What to do if you have brain tumour symptoms

Brain tumours are rare. But, if you’re worried and a symptom persists or if you have more than one symptom of a brain tumour then:

• Talk to your doctor
  GP appointments are usually quite short, so make sure you find out how to best prepare for your appointment.
• Get an eye test
  If your symptoms are limited to changes in vision and/or headaches, get your eyes tested by an optician before seeing your GP. Eye test are not just about testing your vision, but can also give an insight into your wider health.
• Go to A&E
  If the symptoms are sudden or severe, or if experience a seizure, you should go to your emergency department or call 999.

Quick tips on how to talk to your doctor about your brain tumour symptoms

Actions to take Questions to ask a doctor Resources to explore

• Write down all of your questions and bring this with you. You can also consider emailing them beforehand so that they understand what you are going to ask ahead of time
• Make a note of all the changes you have been having such as when your headaches are, or when you feel nauseous. You can do this using our BRIAN quality of life tracker. Bring this with you to show your GP during your appointment
• You can ask your doctor if your symptoms could be caused by a brain tumour. You may wish to show them our website
• You should take someone with you to your appointments, so that they can help you take notes, or remember things that you might not. It is also good to have someone there who can help support you emotionally as well.

• I’m worried I have a brain tumour – do you think this is possible based on my symptoms?
• If you don’t believe it is a brain tumour, what do you think could be causing my symptoms? And how can I manage them?
• If I need to make another appointment, when should this be made for? Who should I talk to?
• If you are referring me for further tests, how long will I have to wait for my next appointment and what will this involve?
• If I will be contacted by another doctor or specialist, who will this be and when should this be made for?
• It is important to ask the GP when the symptoms should be reviewed if they persist

• Brain tumour signs & symptoms
• How are brain tumours diagnosed?
• Navigating the healthcare system

What to do before your GP appointment

GP appointments are usually quite short, so it may be helpful to prepare for the appointment to make sure you remember everything you want to say and ask.

You could write a list of the symptoms you want to tell your doctor about. You can include when these first started, how often they’re happening and if they’ve changed or got worse. If anything relieves the symptoms or makes them worse.

If the appointment is for your child, you may want to ask their nursery or school if they have noticed any symptoms. You may be able to put together a record of your child’s symptoms and note when they have changed or worsened. Parents or carers normally know their child best, so will notice changes in health, appearance or behaviour. You should mention any concerns to your doctor.

What to do during your GP appointment

Explain your symptoms to your doctor, tell them how long you’ve been experiencing them and how they make you feel. If you’ve written notes or kept a diary of your symptoms, show this to your doctor.

You can ask your doctor if your symptoms could be caused by a brain tumour. You may wish to show them our website or the HeadSmart information for babies, children and teenagers.

The doctor may wish to examine you or your child to assess the symptoms.

Results of your GP appointment

Your doctor will usually do one of three things:

• Reassure you that the symptoms are not due to a brain tumour. This may be because they are able to diagnose another condition or they feel there is no cause for concern. They should explain the reason that they’ve reached this decision.
• If the doctor thinks that the symptoms might be caused by a brain tumour, they can refer you for a brain scan or to a doctor who’ll arrange the scan. You may also be sent for tests for other possible causes.
• Sometimes the doctor might ask you to return for another appointment, usually within 4 weeks or if the symptoms get worse. This could be because they think a brain tumour is unlikely but can’t be ruled out. If the symptoms don’t go away or become worse, further investigation into the cause may be needed.

What happens after your GP appointment

You should follow the steps that your doctor has given you. If you don’t hear from your doctor or the specialist they’ve referred you to within the expected time, contact your GP surgery to follow up.

Keep track of any changes in symptoms. You can write these down in a diary to show your doctor or specialist.

If your doctor has reassured you that they do not think you have a brain tumour but you continue to be concerned, you’re entitled to ask for a second opinion.

What if I’m struggling to see my GP?

Here are some things you can try if you’re finding it hard to get appointment with your GP.

Phone 999 or go to A&E

In a life-threatening emergency, you should ring 999 or go to A&E if possible. These situations include but are not limited to:

• a headache that has come on suddenly or is extremely painful
• the first time someone has had a seizure or if a seizure last over 5 minutes

Phone 111

If you feel like you or your child need medical help fast, but it is not an emergency, ring 111. You will be asked a series of questions by the call handler and they will be able to tell you to follow, these may include things such as waiting for an out of hours clinician to ring you back or going to an Emergency Department.

Try to get an on-the-day appointment

All GP practices should have emergency on-the-day appointments available. Most GP practices, particularly the larger ones, will have a mixture of doctors, nurse practitioners and paramedics all doing triage appointments. An appointment can be made with any of these to be assessed.

You should only think about this option if it’s not an emergency or you don’t need help fast. If it’s life threatening, phone 999 or visit A&E if possible. If you need help fast, phone 111.

Go to the opticians

If you are waiting to see your GP for recurrent headaches it is a good idea to book in get an eye test. The optician can tell a lot about your general health from examining your eyes and are able to see some signs of brain tumours. Please note, you should still book in to see the GP even if your optician says your examination is normal.

Track your symptoms

While you’re waiting for your appointment it may be useful to document your/your child’s symptoms so you don’t have to remember them all to yourself. This can be easily presented to your GP and they can use this to get a better understanding of what symptoms you have and when you get them.

You can check brain tumour symptoms on our Better Safe Than Tumour website. And, you can log them using our BRIAN app.

Telephone consultations

Most GP practices are making use of telephone consultations. If you are struggling to find time to attend the GP practice requesting a telephone consultation may be beneficial to both you and your GP as these can be done from any location. If the GP feels they need to see you in person to better inform their decision making they will then request an in-person appointment. Sometimes, the GP can get all the information they need over the phone without seeing you in person and will be able to advise you of the appropriate next steps.

Persist

It may take a few days of you ringing up to request an appointment but don’t give up. Your health is important and you should always make time to discuss changes in your health with your GP.