Dr Timothy Gulliford

Dr Timothy Gulliford 2014-07-11 Person 1 5 0

I presented to Dr Gulliford approximately 2 weeks after mastectomy, immediate reconstruction, and axillary clearance. He presented chemotherapy as a fait accompli even though I asked for statistics if I decided not to have chemotherapy. Despite writing to him, despite seeing another member of his team, despite my GP writing, these statistics weren't forthcoming. I felt I had to go along with his recommendation. I have since discovered that the risk of cancer returning without chemotherapy is under 3% for my pathology. I have had a completely unnecessary episode of chemotherapy which left me feeling absolutey dreadful and now at 64 I have lost my hair. I feel that Dr Gulliford should have discussed the statistics of distant recurrence of cancer if I refused chemotherapy, and because he did not do so I was unable to make an informed decision. Dr Gulliford could improve his consultations by using the adjuvant online tool which many oncologists use to discuss outcomes with their patients. He should also be honest with patients for whom chemotherapy would be of little help but cause horror and harm for some.