AIBU to go to the doctor?

[BoobsHelp]

I found a lump in my boob on Friday night and am worried.

I am a part time secondary school teacher. Although my attendance is excellent so far, lots of other staff have been out for COVID isolation, students have had a patchy education.

I work Mondays, Tuesday is my day off. AIBU to want to see a gp on Monday and miss work? Should I wait till Tuesday? Or is this too important and I should go Monday?

Don't wait. If you can get in on Monday (and push, push, push for a Monday apt.) then go. Your health is important, this is important.

I hope everything is ok and it turns out to be something non-serious

Do you still have periods ?
If so, it used to be said that you wait until you’ve had a period. If it’s still there when it’s finished go to the GP.

Thanks@ThatDamnKrampus. @FippertyGibbett I've never heard that before, I do, it's due this week actually.

@FippertyGibbett

Do you still have periods ? If so, it used to be said that you wait until you’ve had a period. If it’s still there when it’s finished go to the GP.

I've never heard that before.with Xmas round the corner and the nhs already under pressure d go now and not delay it.

Thanks @fishykettles. Would you go Monday or Tuesday?

I've also never heard the wait until a period approach. I would definitely want an appointment Monday or Tuesday but if they're anything like the GPs round here I'd try on Monday as they seem to want to do telephone triage first here so it sometimes takes a day to get through that.

Your boobs can get swollen, tender and lumpy before a period.
As a person who has had two needle biopsies I wouldn’t be rushing to the GP yet. I personally would wait until your period is completely over and see if it’s still there.
Do you check your boobs every month, do you know what your normal is ?
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Ring them, and ask to be seen ASAP. If you can get in on Monday, tell your head or HOD, ‘I have a lump in my breast and I’m seeing the GP at 2pm’. Nothing is more important.

Book an appointment straight away. I had exactly the same thing a few weeks ago. I had a telephone conversation with my gp initially, he then asked me to come in the same day, which I did. I was then referred to the hospital. I got an appointment through in less than 2 weeks. Went for my mammogram etc, turns out it was a cyst which they drained there and then.

Please don't put it off because of Covid. The staff at the doctors and hospital all couldn't have been nicer, and I was assured that I'd done the right thing and never to put these types of things off.

Thanks @HelloDulling I'll do that. Xxx

Go Monday. Tell your head you've found a lump and you'll make up any time missed.

Your health is more important.

I’d go on the Tuesday, a day isn’t going to make a difference. That is what I would personally do. I’ve had to have a root canal rescheduled twice due to the dentist self isolating and each time I have rescheduled to a weekend. If you can’t get the Tuesday then don’t even hesitate about taking the Monday to go. I just find the thought of having supply in with my particular class more stressful because I know I’ll have to pick up the pieces the next day!

Go. It doesn’t make a difference whether it’s Monday or Tuesday. It matters it’s reasonably soon.
You probably will be told to wait until after your next period but get it seen before so you’re not told to wait another month.
Chances are it’s hormonal but don’t accept that until more serious possibilities have been ruled out. If you are over 30 get referred.

Referral criteria below. Go with understanding of what should be referred under 2week wait.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/breast-cancer-recognition-referral/diagnosis/symptoms-suggestive-of-breast-cancer/

Insist on a referral if you have other symptoms and are under 30.

Hang on to fact most are benign but do get it checked. Early treatment means better outcomes.

I would take what they offer. If it's Monday then time off is totally justifiable.

There’s an ad on TV just now encouraging people with any worrying symptoms at all to contact their GP ASAP - it’s not unreasonable in the least to go on Monday if you can get an appointment.
If it turns out not to be anything to worry about, then that’s great - if it is something concerning, though, you won’t regret having gone at the first opportunity.

Ring first thing on Monday and take the first appointment that you are offered.
I understand that you are worried about the lump, and hope that everything goes well, but it's pointless stressing about whether to have an appointment on Monday when you don't even know when you'll be offered one.

@BoobsHelp

Thanks *@fishykettles*. Would you go Monday or Tuesday?

Monday

I felt a lump on Wednesday. Completed an e consult and my gp booked me an appointment for yesterday.
I’m being referred for a 2 week wait suspected cancer, I don’t think waiting the 1 day will make a difference for seeing your GP

Thing is my gp doesn't open till 8. My first lesson starts at 8:30, to make it in on time I have to leave by 7 as I live quite far from work. Often our gp save some appointments for ones like these so I think I'd get something on the day. But I'd need to stay home to be able to go there, work is too far away. Xx

I would go on Tue too, unless only available appointment is for Monday.
I heard about the period thing too. My mum's doctor mentioned it when she felt some lumps too. It was nothong. It disappeared by itself. These things can be very scary and pop up lots of diagnosis in your head, just remember that there is bigger chance of it being something small rather than something bad.
Good luck!

Your health is infinitely more important than work!!!! Email or call your boss TONIGHT and let them know you you won’t be in tomorrow and are getting an urgent docs appt. if, in the end, they have no gaps (unlikely) you can just go in late.

Don't even think about it. Go to the gps as soon as you can. Teachers can be martyrs - I know, I was one for many years - but in reality your classes and your department will be fine without you for the day. I hope you get some reassurance and all is fine.

I’d go Tuesday and I say that as someone who lost my DM to breast cancer and who’s needed a couple of lumps investigated myself. 24 hours isn’t going to make any difference.

I'm a teacher, I'd go on Tuesday. Its more stressful people covering my class than being in sick and with covid absences its worse just now. Id do as close to 9-3 as possible not usual hours and get home and phone first thing Tues. Hope alls ok.

Go. Hopefully the appointment won’t take long and you can go back to school.