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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to wait a couple of weeks before going to GP?

28 replies

LucieFurr · 18/08/2019 10:21

I have a very small, hard lump in the bottom of my armpit. It feels like it’s deep under the skin and it doesn’t hurt.

Do you think it would be OK to leave it for a couple of weeks to see if it goes away on its own and then go to the doctor if it doesn’t? Or would you go to the doctor straightaway?

I’m 50 and was diagnosed with breast cancer in the other breast when I was 39. It was successfully treated and I have had no further problems since then

Thanks

OP posts:
Ellmau · 18/08/2019 10:23

You may not get an appointment straightaway anyway so I would make it now.

squee123 · 18/08/2019 10:23

I wouldn't hang around. I would get an emergency appointment and insist on a referral to get it checked. Hopefully nothing but better safe than sorry

MatildaTheCat · 18/08/2019 10:23

Given your last paragraph I would go straight away just for reassurance. Good luck.

Hmmmbop · 18/08/2019 10:23

No. You'd be an idiot to wait.

hormonesorDHbeingadick · 18/08/2019 10:23

You know you can’t wait. The sooner you get seen the sooner you will get either the all clear or appropriate treatment.

This must be stressful for you but ignoring for a couple of weeks won’t make it any easier.

Butterchunks · 18/08/2019 10:25

Go sooner rather than later. If it turns out to be nothing then it's done and dusted and you no longer have to give it mental space anymore. If the hp refers you on for further tests then you've got e weeks to watch it anyway. If after that it is something serious then you'll be glad you went sooner rather than later.

traingal · 18/08/2019 10:25

Go now, it won’t do any harm to do so, but leaving it might. Hope all is ok OP.

AGenericUsername · 18/08/2019 10:26

Considering your previous history I would say you should see your GP to have it checked rather than waiting to see if it goes away.

Wolfiefan · 18/08/2019 10:27

Of course you shouldn’t wait. Why would you? If you get a referral and the lump disappears then you can cancel.

ShimmeryShiny · 18/08/2019 10:34

Straightaway dont hang about better to be safe than sorry

Original poster
LucieFurr · 18/08/2019 11:03

Yep, you're all right. I'm being daft. Part of me just doesn't want to go through the cancer diagnosis/treatment again, but I can't leave it. I'll phone the GP in the morning.

OP posts:
ShirleyPhallus · 18/08/2019 11:05

Agreed, don’t wait especially given your history

Hope it’s just a cyst that goes away quickly Flowers

Lockheart · 18/08/2019 11:07

If I had no history of breast cancer I'd get it checked out but not as an emergency. However, with your history then I would be getting it checked out as soon as I could.

I hope it's just a harmless cyst or a fatty lump - best of luck @LucieFurr

MrsMozartMkII · 18/08/2019 11:11

Read your update that you're going to make an appointment. Good plan. Fingers crossed it's nothing.

AngelasAshes · 18/08/2019 11:17

Sounds like lymph node. Breast cancer spreads to the lymph nodes in armpit first. It could be recurrence of the cancer. If it is, and in the lymphatic system that is very bad.
You definitely need to get it checked out urgently.

Balladenny · 18/08/2019 11:22

I was going to say wait a couple of days as it might just be a small infection from shaving that will go away in a couple of days.

But then I saw that you’ve already had breast cancer. With that history, you need to go to the GP ASAP, so they can refer you on a two week wait. If by that point it’s gone away, you can always cancel the follow up appointment.

Original poster
LucieFurr · 18/08/2019 11:44

Cheers @AngelasAshes
That certainly made me feel a whole lot worse!

OP posts:
ShirleyPhallus · 18/08/2019 11:52

@AngelasAshes really unnecessary post. There are many other things it could be too. Ignore OP, you’re getting it checked out and should just focus on that

Wolfiefan · 18/08/2019 11:57

I had a lump under my arm. Not cancer. No treatment needed and it did just go away. But definitely get it checked out. Hope you soon feel very relieved and reassured. Flowers

Missingstreetlife · 18/08/2019 12:11

Get it checked, same day gp appt and two week referall. It might be nothing, mine was (also previous history) big relief.

DianaT1969 · 18/08/2019 12:12

I think @Angelas was just trying to give the OP a strong wake up call to get it checked now and not wait weeks for a GP appointment.

AngelasAshes · 18/08/2019 12:13

You don’t know if it’s unnecessary. Yes it could be just a swollen lymph node from fighting off a viral infection. But with OPs history, it should be treated as an emergency (as others have posted before my post) and my post was WHY it should be treated as an emergency. I apologise if it was TMI but for me I am less afraid if I have information...I would be more scared if I knew something was urgent but not why.

My SIL is currently right now undergoing radiation for breast cancer and that is how hers recurred. My GM died of breast cancer because she waited to get a lump checked out.

ShirleyPhallus · 18/08/2019 12:19

Understood @angelasashes but the OP has already said she’ll call the GP in the morning so scaring her further isn’t very helpful

pooopypants · 18/08/2019 12:26

Definitely call them tomorrow and make sure you make them aware, if they try to fob you off, (looking at you, GP surgery!) that you tell them about your previous diagnosis and that it can't wait

I say this because at my GP, they do this triage bollocks and a GP calls you back if the receptionist feels it's urgent yaddah yaddah shite.

Fingers crossed for you OP

yeahokright · 18/08/2019 15:02

Try not to worry OP. I don't think anyone in here is a breast cancer specialist so nobody knows. The chances are that a lump is not cancer BUT I wouldn't risk it, especially with your history. Anything addressed quickly is a good thing. Best of luck.