Am I paranoid or should I get this checked out?

[ShouldIGetThisChecked]

I just lost a parent to cancer, my husband has cancer, and a friend has recently been diagnosed. It feels like cancer is everywhere and I’m probably just having an emotional response to this, but I noticed a small lump on the cartilage behind my ear about a month ago. I assumed it was a spot and would go away. It hasn’t - it’s slowly increasing in size. It’s a firm lump and attached to whatever it’s on.

I categorically do not want to waste anyone’s time but I’m worried. Should I go to the GP or am I being ridiculous?

Medically, I have no idea... But i:d say that there will be fewer regrets from having it checked and it turning out to be nothing, than there would be from not having it checked and it turning out to be something.
Also peace of mind shouldn't be underestimated. It's clearly worrying you now, which is not good for you.

I say get it checked. Good luck ☺️

Thank you, @Melsy88- we just have it drummed into us now that we’re only worthy of a GP visit if we have a leg hanging off; so going with something like this feels shameful!

Over the last few years I’ve trotted off to my gp, at least twice for a dodgy mole. Both times he’s given me some made up, long words that mean “age spot”. And expressed that he’d much rather see an age spot than something more sinister. He’s VERY keen to assure me that he’d much rather get things like this checked out than ignored.

go and see the gp for your own peace of mind. Nobody will think you’re wasting time, particularly under the current circumstances.

Do we? Everything I see is about the importance of early diagnosis and it's just that GPs are understaffed and don't have enough appointments available for patients.

No reason not to just get it checked. I say this as someone with stage 3 melanoma.

I don’t personally think it looks worrying and there aren’t lymph nodes in the ear in that area (I know because I had all mine removed 😂 so I know where they came from).

More than likely it’s a lipoma or a cyst of some variety, but the tricky thing about anything on your head is that it’s not easy to see. You need someone to look at it for you.

A GP appointment will likely be a couple weeks away. It will either be obvious if it’s anything to worry about by then or it will have gone away (and you can cancel and free up that appointment for whoever needs it). No reason not to.

@ShouldIGetThisChecked I get these too, in that exact spot, when I'm stressed or run down. They stick around for a week or so gradually getting bigger then go of their own accord. However, I'd still recommend to get it checked out by the doctor to be on the safe side. If it is the same thing that I get then having it play on your mind isn't going to help it go away, if you follow my logic. I'm very sorry for the loss of your parent and for your DH's diagnosis. Sounds like times are tough for you right now. 💐

No harm in getting it checked and you're not wasting the doctor's time - they would rather you went and were reassured it's not something serious. It's far more likely to be something innocuous so try not to worry!

Hey,
this could be Chondrodermatitis, I have this on my ear and it’s a hard lump on the rim of my ear. It hurts when I sleep on it and does get a bit crusty at times.
i saw a dermatologist who diagnosed me.

Definitely get it checked out. You’re not wasting anyone’s time and you’ll feel much better afterwards.

Yes. You’ve obviously never spoken to some jobsworthy GP receptionist….

I get sebaceous cysts behind my ears and it looks like that to me, but it does need looking at by a GP anyway.

As it is increasing in size you need to get it checked. It’s most likely to be harmless but the sooner you get it seen then the sooner your mind is put at rest or you get a referral if necessary. Good luck!

Agree @Needtosoundoffandbreathe .
i don’t think it needs to be urgent but it warrants an appointment. Of course GPs would rather see a benign lump than miss a cancerous lesion.

Thank you, everyone - I feel a bit better about asking for an appointment now.

To be honest I think this was drummed into us by older generations not the current availability situation.