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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be terrified I might have cancer?

328 replies

Happyland88 · 27/01/2018 07:54

I have 2 Breast lumps in the same area of my breast. I’m 29 years old (was 28 when I found both lumps.

The doctor examined and said she wasn’t concerned (didn’t feel like cancer to her). This was about 6 months ago and I’ve found it hard not to worry even though I was given some reassurance.

One of the lumps feels like it may have got bigger and now I’m terrified.

If I didn’t have my two girls (aged 1 & 4), I wouldn’t want to get out of bed. I’m too scared to make a dr’s appointment. I don’t want this to be cancer. I’ve read that cancer in young women is very aggressive. I want to be around to see my children grow old.

I’m on my own as my husband works away, I’m just so so scared.

OP posts:
SupermoonToday · 31/01/2018 21:19

Are you sure you don't have anyone IRL to talk to? I think if you were able to talk to a relative or a friend that would help. I second the idea that you should raise your anxiety with the GP, although I do know myself that these things are scary so bound to cause anxiety.

Puppymouse · 31/01/2018 21:48

As per previous pps I would relax and trust your GP. I had some itching a while back and was seen by a consultant very quickly as my doctor didn't want to risk it. No GP would defer a referral twice unless they were pretty sure it wasn't anything to worry about. Fingers crossed for the final check up in three weeks Smile

Vibe2018 · 31/01/2018 22:38

Do you suffer with anxiety about other things? If so, maybe talk to the GP about it as you sound extremely anxious.

DavidBowiesNumber1 · 01/02/2018 07:11

I'm so glad you went to your appointment yesterday OP but I would be insisting on a referral (if that's possible in the UK?), not only to help ease your anxiety but because unless your GP has magic hands, no one can say for definite that it's not something that needs investigating.
3 weeks to wait to see your GP again and then another possible 3 weeks before you go to the breast clinic. I wouldn't be happy to wait that long.

Original poster
Happyland88 · 01/02/2018 10:43

I don’t know what to think now. Some saying I need referred ASAP, others saying it’s me being anxious Confused I think I’ll just wait the few weeks and hope the GP is right to not be more concerned.

OP posts:
GreatDuckCookery6211 · 01/02/2018 11:57

Was it the same GP, OP?

MissDuke · 01/02/2018 12:03

Wait the three weeks. These lumps have been there a long long time, three weeks at this point won't make a massive difference. The GP knows what she she is doing. Well done for going Flowers

SheNumpty · 01/02/2018 13:18

Please please go back and tell him you think they have got bigger. Delaying could make the difference between having a chance to beat it if that's what it is, and it being too late.

I'm talking to you from a cancer ward having my second lot of chemo. I've got a two year old, you have two to think about. You can't be too scared to face this, you may be robbing yourself and your kids of precious time.

Plus it cottons be nothing and all this stress for nothing. Find out now, don't wait, but I understand your fear. Flowers

SheNumpty · 01/02/2018 13:19

Oh I just read your update, sorry. Yes well done for going. Brilliant to read. XXXX

FrancesDestroyed · 04/02/2018 16:18

Happyland, you can't tell what a lump is by feeling it. Go and see a different Dr and give breast cancer care UK a ring tomorrow.

Phone the helpline: 0808 800 6000

FrancesDestroyed · 04/02/2018 16:19

Best wishes SheNumpty. Flowers

springydaff · 05/02/2018 14:12

It should be standard that ANY breast lumps are referred to the Breast Care Centre as a matter of course.

Go back to your GP and ask to be referred immediately. Do that any/every time you have a lump. Chances are the lump is benign - the vast majority are - but you do need that to be conclusively investigated.

HectorlovesKiki · 05/02/2018 14:18

You MUST get it checked out. My good friend was reassured by her GP that her lump on her neck was nothing to worry about. She died of breast cancer and the innocent lump turned out to be secondary cancer which she left for over a year due to her doctor's advice! I'm only telling you this because if it is cancer (it may not be at all, it could be a lot of innocent things) the sooner you seek treatment the better. You must be assertive with your doctor and get a referral ASAP - if only for your childrens sake.

Myheartbelongsto · 05/02/2018 14:23

Hi op, last July I finally went to the Doctor for a check up. I had a burning sensation in my breast, my nipple had inverted, had white discharge was absolutely convinced it was cancer. Went to the doctor and after I got dressed he said well my heart, I don't belief in fluffing things up I think you have much to be concerned about there. He faxed my referral letter to the hospital while I was still there and told me if he or I hadn't heard anything by the next day he would chase hospital. He asked for an urgent referral. Heard back next day but app was not for three weeks my doc said not fast enough so we tried a different hospital. I emailed my letter and shortly after they rang me with an app for a couple of days later. I was beside myself with worry!!

Went for my app and nothing was found!! Not a thing, I couldn't believe it was absolutely stunned.

I think you have convinced yourself there is something wrong. Sometimes your systems can make you feel so sure!

I would urge you to go to the doctor for peace of mind.

laura65988 · 07/02/2018 16:55

Why the hell haven't u been to hospital to have these checked just because doc says they don't feel like cancer he can't see this or say this without getting u checked as he should have done I had this and had an appt the next month and I would have been back at doctors chasing appt up I don't get people who leave these issues for a long time cause there scared and end up with its to aggressive therefore nothing they can do ahout it then they beat themselves up and try didn't do anything sooner but u have kids and owe it them to be around for life not to shut ureself away worrying ureself sick about something u myt not have or something u could catch and mines turned out be cysts but there is so much advanced treatment these days and u're in u're bed instead of knocking down hospital door trying to live I justg annoyed at people who don't put life before deciding u have it but don't get tested then u're saying hospital so far away so f**k just another excuse and u can't get babysitter qgain excuse take them with u it's an important test or waiting for husband never mind that think he rather u got tested than u telling him u have terminal cancer and could have caught it early but u didn't just annoys me as my aunt had terminal cancer started as breast she did everything ryt but she got the bad news did all treatment and got all clear and 6 months later it's spread all over her body there's nothing they can do and she is still fighting and she's doing treatment that will prolonge her life even though it makes her I'll and in bed not able to do anything she still does I'm sorry if u think I'm getting in at u but sometimes some people need told stop worrying u have it then if u do u spent time worrying about it and making up why u can't go to hospital and u could have saved ure life

Rebeccaslicker · 07/02/2018 16:58

Dear god what an unhelpful and incoherent rant, even if it was well intentioned. That's not going to make the already worried OP feel any better.

She's already said the GP is referring her. It is promising that it doesn't feel immediately worrying, but the GP is right to be sure, and that's what's happening. Chill your boots!

loobylou10 · 07/02/2018 17:04

Laura - that was really unhelpful (and a nightmare to plough through). OP is going to go back in a couple of weeks as the doctor requested so leave off with your scare mongering rant.

CoraPirbright · 07/02/2018 17:09

Well done for going back OP - that really took guts. Your anxiety is really not doing you any favours though so I would push for things to go along quicker as you need a positive outcome (which I am sure it will be) for you to put your mind at rest.

My mum has had 4 breast lumps, the first of which cropped up when she was 30. ALL have been benign....she just has lumpy breasts!!

You said in your OP that you didn’t really have anyone else around - where are you?? Perhaps one of us could come and accompany you?? (Probably against MN protocol but what the hell)

springydaff · 07/02/2018 23:27

i do appreciate where Laura is coming from.

I've had the vile disease you're terrified of op. It is baffling to me that you would wait for a long time because you're afraid of what they might find. Meanwhile, if it is cancer and it's caught early you have very good chances: if it's left and the cancer has progressed without treatment your prognosis is much worse. Therefore by delaying you may be producing the very result that terrifies you.

go back to the GP. Get an appt at the breast care centre asap. The chances are it is fine (I'm not bullshitting you, most are) but get that checked for certain.

MarthaArthur · 08/02/2018 10:01

I agree op go back and get the referal. Your gp sounds awful you have had lumps and different texture in breast skin for a long time and gp wants you to wait 3 weeks plus the 2 week rreferal window, so 5 weeks.not good enough you need to be referred for your own piece of mind. You need a mamogram.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 08/02/2018 19:13

@laura65988 what an awful response.

Unless you have been in this situation I suggest you keep your unhelpful response to yourself.

Flowers for you OP

G120810 · 13/02/2018 19:52

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Celticrose · 14/02/2018 18:43

About 10 years ago I found a lump in my breast. It was a Friday evening. After an anxious weekend I got an appointment on the Monday morning. Think the receptionist took pity on me after what felt like a load of gibberish from me. The doctor told me that she could not feel any ragged edges on the lump so was not too worried but would still refer me to the breast care unit to be seen within the two weeks. It turned out to be a cyst which was treated with aspiration. Not sure I could have waited 5 weeks the 2 was bad enough. Though a friend suggested going to a local cancer charity who would have given me a mammogram. They also run a programme where they go to different towns with a large bus and women can have a mammogram

yerbutnobut · 14/02/2018 20:05

OP this is the dangers of asking random strangers on the net. I have health anxiety which is only since I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer aged 34. My lump or more of a thickened mass as it was, was pliable, it moved when my GP got me to sit forward so my breasts hung down and she felt between my lump and chest wall. I realise its people not understanding, but I keep reading on similar threads too that cancerous lumps don't move, they do if its just in a duct. I had an on off itch on that boob, no visible signs of anything wrong, my GP said wasn't worried but said she could see I was so referred me to breast clinic, thank goodness she did.
OP if you have anxiety about this it could actually be your gut instinct and there's nothing like peace of mind. Most lumps are nothing serious, I've been told I'm just unlucky at such a young age. Best wishes.

G120810 · 14/02/2018 22:39

I have to somewhat agree on something Laura has touched upon doctor can't tell by touching and they do get it wrong by telling u such things then u do get it but saying that having gone through this myself I was referred after first appointment went had biopsy and I got all clear they where cysts so please don't over worry ureself with something u myt or myt not have but obviously it will be an anxious wait for appointment but do not wait a few weeks to see doctor as you could have had hospital appt by then and it's just delaying it