Thai wife diagnosed with Stage 2 Grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in September 2024.

Successfully treated by Lumpectomy, Chemo and radiotherapy. Taking Tamoxifen for eight years.

Recently suspected endometrial disease. Results at Regional Hospital yesterday; 'PI: P2 Last 27 years. MP pap semi. Result; Normal. Case CA Lt. Breast. AUB S/P EB 5/5/69. No abnormal vaginal bleeding. No abdominal pain. Medical History; Hypertension/Drystoplasmosis, breast cancer. Menstrual history; Menopause. History of diabetes in direct relatives; YES. History of hypertension in direct relatives; YES.

Mrs told no action necessary and further appointment made at Gynaecological dept in 12 months.

My question is can we trust this result? I know about false cancer negative results from when my now deceased mother had her investigations.

1 hour ago, The Fugitive said:

Thai wife diagnosed with Stage 2 Grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in September 2024.

Successfully treated by Lumpectomy, Chemo and radiotherapy. Taking Tamoxifen for eight years.

Recently suspected endometrial disease. Results at Regional Hospital yesterday; 'PI: P2 Last 27 years. MP pap semi. Result; Normal. Case CA Lt. Breast. AUB S/P EB 5/5/69. No abnormal vaginal bleeding. No abdominal pain. Medical History; Hypertension/Drystoplasmosis, breast cancer. Menstrual history; Menopause. History of diabetes in direct relatives; YES. History of hypertension in direct relatives; YES.

Mrs told no action necessary and further appointment made at Gynaecological dept in 12 months.

My question is can we trust this result? I know about false cancer negative results from when my now deceased mother had her investigations.

The PAP test is around 95% reliable.

To get a 100% result an ADDITIONAL (not alone) HPV DNA test is advisable.

As above, Pap is highly reliable. However only for cervical cancer, not endometrial cancer.

If there are symptoms suggestive of endometrial cancer then an endometrial biopsy would be indicated.

Why was/is endometrtial disease suspected? the hospital report indicates no abnormal bleeding??

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

As above, Pap is highly reliable. However only for cervical cancer, not endometrial cancer.

If there are symptoms suggestive of endometrial cancer then an endometrial biopsy would be indicated.

Why was/is endometrtial disease suspected? the hospital report indicates no abnormal bleeding??

Thanks Sheryl. My wife prefers to go in alone to talk to the doctors. She typed out 'Endometrial cancer' and also 'fibroids' for me. She also told me 'biopsy'. Unfortunately, I didn't get to photograph her paperwork at the previous visit. I managed to photograph her paperwork this time and was surprised to read 'PAP test'.

2 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

Thanks Sheryl. My wife prefers to go in alone to talk to the doctors. She typed out 'Endometrial cancer' and also 'fibroids' for me. She also told me 'biopsy'. Unfortunately, I didn't get to photograph her paperwork at the previous visit. I managed to photograph her paperwork this time and was surprised to read 'PAP test'.

Possibly a mistranslation?

Noting in the hospital note suggests signs of fibroid or endometrial cancer (or any other gyn problem). . Further those are 2 very different conditions and can usually be distinguished on ultrasound.

7 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Possibly a mistranslation?

Noting in the hospital note suggests signs of fibroid or endometrial cancer (or any other gyn problem). . Further those are 2 very different conditions and can usually be distinguished on ultrasound.

Agree and thanks Sheryl. You've nailed it! Maybe her breast cancer doctor simply told her what the possibilities were? There was a very small ultrasound scan pic attached to the paperwork. The gynaecology doctor would have narrowed it down from that determining that a PAP test was sufficient according to her symptoms (or lack of them).

My wife has fibroids and uterine cyst as well as a suspicious breast lymph node.

Almost all doctors speak English in Thailand (some refuse to speak it) and there are phone translators.

I always go with my wife for hospital visits so I can get the real picture, look it up on the 'net and discuss next steps with her and then her doctor.

There is no reason you should not be there!

1 hour ago, unblocktheplanet said:

My wife has fibroids and uterine cyst as well as a suspicious breast lymph node.

Almost all doctors speak English in Thailand (some refuse to speak it) and there are phone translators.

I always go with my wife for hospital visits so I can get the real picture, look it up on the 'net and discuss next steps with her and then her doctor.

There is no reason you should not be there!

Per his post, his wife does not want him to be. She's the patient, so it is her decision.

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Per his post, his wife does not want him to be. She's the patient, so it is her decision.

Yep. But sometimes one has to be assertive.

It would do them both good to have two heads in this situation not just one.

18 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Yep. But sometimes one has to be assertive.

It would do them both good to have two heads in this situation not just one.

I take it you have never been married. Doctor appointments, especially these types, are very personal. You can ask her if she will let you talk to the doctor but usually the answer is close to HELL NO.

The OP has control of possibly 1 thing and 1 thing only. That is the hospital that she goes to.

As all doctors speak English, I wonder where you live. I live outside Rangsit and can tell you that, yes, they may speak it and know the terms, but conversation in some government hospitals is not that great, as they only see Thai patients with the odd farang thrown in. My doctor loves my visits because she can practice her English

I've been married for 59 years. We discuss all medical decisions together, consult the Internet, then bring our collective concerns to the doctor.

And I only have ever used govt hospitals. Found exactly one doc who knew English & refused to use it and another who needed a little help on a phone translator.

Marriage means you're in it together. Medical decisions for each deserve both.

I am in the room for breast and pelvic exams. She's there for digital prostate!

If they really can't work this out, I suggest hubby have a long talk with the doctor on his own. Honestly, though, that's not good enough and it has to be both.

If one is sick, the other suffers just as much.

21 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Yep. But sometimes one has to be assertive.

It would do them both good to have two heads in this situation not just one.

There may be a cultural or personal issue she wishes and wants her privacy and if thats the case inserting yourself may not be appropriate

1 hour ago, Dan O said:

21 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Yep. But sometimes one has to be assertive.

It would do them both good to have two heads in this situation not just one.

There may be a cultural or personal issue she wishes and wants her privacy and if thats the case inserting yourself may not be appropriate

Each situation is, of course, different. However, when it comes to health matters; even those of a highly personal or sensitive nature emotion, embarrassment and shyness often need to take a back seat to obtaining the best possible understanding of the situation.

I understand Sheryl's point that "it's the patient's choice", and ultimately that is absolutely correct. However, if it were my wife, I would want to be present, hear exactly what was being discussed, understand the doctor's reasoning, and ask questions wherever uncertainty remained.

One thing I have learned over the years is that doctors can sometimes be rather blunt in their delivery of information. I have personally witnessed doctors tell my wife that something "might be cancer" when, statistically and clinically, a far more likely explanation was a benign polyp or another non-serious finding. Having done my own research and understanding the broader context - with the Dr agreeing, I was able to reassure my Wife that there were many more probable explanations and that no conclusions should be drawn before the appropriate investigations had been completed.

A similar situation occurred with my wife's cousin, who phoned in a state of panic after becoming convinced she had cancer. The doctor had 'dropped the C Bomb', but no diagnostic results were yet available. After speaking with her directly, discussing her symptoms and the tests that had been performed, it became apparent that no doctor could reasonably have reached such a diagnosis at that stage. She had simply heard the word "cancer" and, understandably, the fear associated with it drowned out everything else that was said. As it turned out, she was completely healthy.

For that reason, I often take my wife with me to medical appointments, she is encouraged to ask questions. Equally, I have attended appointments with family members when they have wanted another set of ears in the room. My brother-in-law, for example, asked me to accompany him before a major operation because he was understandably nervous. The surgeon answered a number of questions professionally and thoroughly, and I think it helped him make a more informed decision.

I also remember my son, who was only ten at the time, asking an impressively thoughtful question during a consultation regarding a serious sports injury. The consultant was genuinely taken aback, complimented him on the quality of the question, and answered him directly rather than speaking through me or my wife. It was a good reminder that understanding often comes from asking questions, regardless of age or who we are.

In this particular case, the original poster now finds himself seeking answers on an anonymous internet forum, yet unable to provide many of the details people would need to offer meaningful advice because he was not privy to the consultation itself. That is unfortunate. Had he been present, he may have been in a far stronger position - both to understand the medical advice being given and to seek informed guidance from others afterwards.

You never know with cancer is my opinion.

Had college with cancer, they handled him and he had a stoma afterwards.

Came back to work, so he told, and after time , he was even free of cancer !

Then it came back in fast way and he (was close) never lived to have pension, RIP Peter.

Neighbors sister worked in garden , afterwards pain in back, thought due to working garden.

Pain stayed, doctor, cancer, within a month she died. Leaving 2 growing up kids family.RIP

Wish all the people with cancer a lot of strength !

You may hope AI could be a help against cancer. Finally then a good thing of AI.

As for now AI developed a vaccine against a number of viruses.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrpggegwe0o

4 hours ago, Dan O said:

There may be a cultural or personal issue she wishes and wants her privacy and if thats the case inserting yourself may not be appropriate

I don't do appropriate. I do the right thing.

He can convince her. Are you saying you wouldn't even try?

It's like sex, no means no?

I'm sure he's seen all of her, from stem to stern, in sickness and in health. No issue.

Edited June 18Jun 18 by unblocktheplanet
add

18 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

If they really can't work this out, I suggest hubby have a long talk with the doctor on his own. Honestly, though, that's not good enough and it has to be both.

It would be both illegal an unethical for her doctor to discuss her medical details with anyone -- including her husband -- without her consent.

There also does not seem to be any reason for particular concern at this time. She has been seen at a university hospital and screened for both cervical (pap smear) and endometrial (ultrasound) cancer with negative results, and is asymptomatic.

She has also apparently successfully followed a multi-phase course of treatment for breast cancer and is getting regular follow ups.

So no reason to doubt that she and her doctors know what they are doing and no reason to doubt the doctor's recommendation that all is fine and no need for anything but follow up in a few months.

If a problem had been diagnosed/further treatment was being recommended then it might make sense for him to try to push her to let him speak with the doctor. But as this is not the case, personally I think he should just step back and respect her wishes.

One common reason for patients not wanting family to join medical appointments is that it can shift the focus from the patient's needs to the anxieties of the relative. Reoatives don't mean to do this, but it can happen.

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

It would be both illegal an unethical for her doctor to discuss her medical details with anyone -- including her husband -- without her consent.

There also does not seem to be any reason for particular concern at this time. She has been seen at a university hospital and screened for both cervical (pap smear) and endometrial (ultrasound) cancer with negative results, and is asymptomatic.

She has also apparently successfully followed a multi-phase course of treatment for breast cancer and is getting regular follow ups.

So no reason to doubt that she and her doctors know what they are doing and no reason to doubt the doctor's recommendation that all is fine and no need for anything but follow up in a few months.

If a problem had been diagnosed/further treatment was being recommended then it might make sense for him to try to push her to let him speak with the doctor. But as this is not the case, personally I think he should just step back and respect her wishes.

One common reason for patients not wanting family to join medical appointments is that it can shift the focus from the patient's needs to the anxieties of the relative. Reoatives don't mean to do this, but it can happen.

Thanks again Sheryl and also to the other contributors. What I didn't understand was that endometrial cancer can be ruled out by an ultrasound scan. I was worrying why there was no biopsy. I agree everything now makes sense and we can rely on the completely negative cancer diagnosis by the gynaecology doctor.

7 hours ago, Sheryl said:

It would be both illegal an unethical for her doctor to discuss her medical details with anyone -- including her husband -- without her consent.

There also does not seem to be any reason for particular concern at this time. She has been seen at a university hospital and screened for both cervical (pap smear) and endometrial (ultrasound) cancer with negative results, and is asymptomatic.

She has also apparently successfully followed a multi-phase course of treatment for breast cancer and is getting regular follow ups.

So no reason to doubt that she and her doctors know what they are doing and no reason to doubt the doctor's recommendation that all is fine and no need for anything but follow up in a few months.

If a problem had been diagnosed/further treatment was being recommended then it might make sense for him to try to push her to let him speak with the doctor. But as this is not the case, personally I think he should just step back and respect her wishes.

One common reason for patients not wanting family to join medical appointments is that it can shift the focus from the patient's needs to the anxieties of the relative. Reoatives don't mean to do this, but it can happen.

Sheryl as always hit it out of the park.

Add in that if a Thai spouse is in the room a lot of doctor as is the habit everywhere will direct the info to the spouse and not the patient

6 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

Thanks again Sheryl and also to the other contributors. What I didn't understand was that endometrial cancer can be ruled out by an ultrasound scan. I was worrying why there was no biopsy. I agree everything now makes sense and we can rely on the completely negative cancer diagnosis by the gynaecology doctor.

A biopsy would have been done had the ultrasound shown thickened endometrium or suspicious masses but evidentally not the case. It is not recommended for routine screening in asymptomatic women.

The reason for checking the endometrium via ultrasound was probably that she is on Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen can sometimes cause growth of the endometrium, and increased growth of fibroids if any were already present. Apparently her ultrasound showed nothing abnormal.

On 6/18/2026 at 7:22 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

I don't do appropriate. I do the right thing.

He can convince her. Are you saying you wouldn't even try?

It's like sex, no means no?

I'm sure he's seen all of her, from stem to stern, in sickness and in health. No issue.

Great that you dont do appropriate but its not your health issue and if the wife doesnt want you involved then you need to understand and deal with HER decision.

33 minutes ago, Dan O said:

Great that you dont do appropriate but its not your health issue and if the wife doesnt want you involved then you need to understand and deal with HER decision.

GF works at a hospital, and even she has to wait until they have an opening. She also knows my level of paitience, not interested in sitting 4 hours in waiting room lol

Not very reliable from our experience.

My EX had a negative clear PAP smear test, yet the gynaecologist could literally see her stage 3 precancerous lesion with his eyes during the exam and fortunately did a biopsy.

On 6/18/2026 at 4:46 PM, xtrnuno41 said:

You never know with cancer is my opinion.

My doctor was suprised at my response when he confirmed I had kidney cancer.

My response - Book the surgery room and lets rip it out.