Pretty sure I have cancer at 27 and not sure what I should do next

[whatdoidonowthenn]

Around 8 months ago I had a severe chest infection & after recovering, ever since I have been coughing constantly throughout the day because I’ve got phlegm in my throat that won’t go away. The cough has never stopped and it’s at the point where I’m trying and struggling to cough up the mucus every 5-10 mins. It always feels like the same phlegm that I can’t quite get up, but when I do manage to cough it up, it is green and looks like snot.

I’ve called the GP twice during these months and have been told there’s nothing they can do..

About 8 weeks ago I developed a fissure in my top lip (inside the mouth) which is not healing.

I called my doctor and she referred me to an ENT who is removing the fissure on the 17th and then testing it. I asked if it was cancer and he said he couldn’t say.

For the past two weeks I’ve been really struggling with acid reflux and the feeling of something being stuck at the bottom of my throat nearer to my collar bones. I’ve also just noticed some white patches at the back of my mouth. I’ve included some photos. I know nobody here could diagnose me but I’m wanting to prepare myself for the worst..

I’ve also been incredibly fatigued, struggling with headaches every day which sometimes goes to my ears, and a few times a week am experiencing dizziness which affects my hearing and I go almost deaf with buzzing.

i have a handle on getting the fissure removed but what do I do next? Is it simply going to the GP and telling them everything? Would I be able to class it as an emergency same day appointment?

Is it better to seek help privately?

should I wait until the 17th to tell them my other symptoms - but it’s the maxillo facial unit?

any advice on the best path to take here would be appreciated. im massively worried and convinced it’s cancer. I’m only 27

Pics attached - I have been eating chocolate hence the brown fingers 🤣

When I have this it's usually a bad cough having turned to asthma and a course of steroids and antibiotics if needed usually clears it up. It might be worth asking to speak with the asthma nurse for advice as I sometimes find they are more helpful than the GP

Have you had covid fairly recently? A few people i know (myself included) seem to have been left with persistent mucous in the back of our nose and throat from a recent bout. Its incredibly irritating and definitely making my cough worse. Mine is finally clearing up with a lot of help from a saline nasal spray

The fissure could just be because you are run down.

Hopefully the ENT will help you as well but I wouldnt jump to a cancer conclusion yet

You really need to speak to your doctor. They have all your records and are best placed to advise you. Nobody can offer any meaningful help over an anonymous forum. I hope you feel better soon OP.

@ichundich thank you, I already have been diagnosed with bipolar & anxiety and am under the CMHT. I don’t feel like these symptoms have been caused by my anxiety, as the cough has been going on for months + I only became anxious about it when the fissure developed - though I understand how my post comes across

Look up globus for the lump in throat - it can be caused by stress I’m told by GP so if you’re worrying loads that could be it. Also a symptom of acid reflux

Allergic/ non-allergic rhinitis can come on after a nasty cold/ flu and will cause a post-nasal drip that wont go away and causes exactly that phlegm stuck in throat feeling. I know as I had it and I felt like I was gasping for air. My Dr told me I probably had COPD and sent me for an X-ray which came back clear. A trip to the pharmacy and I was given nasal steroids and it was gone within a few days. Unfortunately I now get every year after a cold, but I know what it is and how to treat it.

Ouch that fissure looks painful, poor you, am glad you are getting that seen to.

The 17th is not so far away (I guess you mean this month) so I would ask about the white patches when you are there.

Then that's 2 things ticked off at least. If you break things down like that it all might be easier to deal with?

I had a cancer scare in my 20s - referred on a 2 week wait, consultant said it might be cancer, and Google narrowed it down to being a form of cancer with a really low survival rate. It wasn't cancer, it was something else. I know how all consuming it can be - I really wasn't functioning either in my personal or professional life, it started a mental health spiral, I was having suicidal ideation and the doctors still refused to prescribe antidepressants. That year was genuinely the worst time in my life.

I hope that you can try and keep focused; try to look after both your mental and your physical health, and that you get some answers quickly.

Some very unmumsnetty hugs from someone who gets just how terrifying this is for you.

Came here to say possibly autoimmune as well x

Sounds like reflux. I've had it for years. It's like a lump in your throat which you can't shift. The phlegm is actually protecting your throat I think, if it's reflux.

I can't see the white spots you refer to in your pics. The symptoms you describe in your throat could be reflux.

Acid reflux can be caused by a hiatus hernia (very common) and one of the symptoms is a feeling of something obstructing the throat and food getting stuck. It causes acid reflux. The phlegm sound more like a residual infection- green. I've had a 'cut' on my lip like that- they are hard to get to heal because the area is wet and you use it constantly talking, eating, drinking. Try to stop worrying. Tell the GP all of your symptoms and tell the hospital.

You've already posted this. I think you have health anxiety, I had it and it made me feel physical symptoms that were not there, maybe that's why the GP are fobbing you off

Cancer is unlikely based on your age and symptoms but you do need to find out the cause so it can be treated. I hope you get to the bottom of it and feel better soon.

@whatdoidonowthenn I don't think you have cancer (though I'm not a doctor of course.) God willing it's nothing serious.

Do you smoke or anything, as that can cause phlegm etc. Do you take care of yourself, eat ok?

I also have bipolar and some of the medications can cause lethargy.

The sensation in your throat could be part of your anxiety.

Let your doctors/consultants know anything you're experiencing.

You maybe have a few minor things.

Best wishes and please keep us updated.

@whatdoidonowthenn are you overweight, what is your diet like?

This is the third time you’ve posted. The answers are generally the same, I hope you get support though.

You’ve already posted this - did you just copy and paste. It’s not cancer. You have health anxiety. But unfortunately you won’t believe it. Hopefully your MH team might be able to help.

Thanks for all the helpful comments. I know I’ve posted before - but I was actually in my post asking for the route to take to get help because there’s so many different things happening (which I accept could be also down to health anxiety).

i do also appreciate the input on what it could be/non serious things and the support.

As above, I was asking for the route. I’ve already mentioned in this thread I have diagnosed anxiety. I’ve also mentioned that these symptoms started after a chest infection, and that I didn’t develop anxiety around any of it until the fissure developed. But thank you. @UmbilicusSuperficialis

route to take to get help because there’s so many different things happening

Consultants for any issues related to their specialities.

GPs for any issues you haven't yet been referred to what could be a relevant consultant for.

I almost always go for the same day appointments at the GPs. With mine these are over the phone triage and I don't usually need to see them, they just prescribe something for whatever it is.

What cancer do you thinking you have. Your symptoms are disparate and aren’t quite pointing to any particular malignancy. I agree with others about some symptoms sounding anxiety driven

Have you been to the dentist recently? I'm not saying it's anything (sounds like potentially a collection of unrelated symptoms to me, some exacerbated by health anxiety) but dentists are also trained to check the soft tissues inside the mouth and could potentially give you a clue as to whether anything sinister is going on (or indeed reassurance that it's not!). A private dental checkup might be easier to stretch to than a medical appointment (my private dentist price matches checkups to the NHS).

Some of the things could be anxiety, some like acid reflux are just really common ailments.

Chest infections can leave a lingering cough etc.

I can't see anything abnormal at the back of your mouth.

Bits of the body can look or feel weird if you focus on them.

Anxiety can cause a feeling of something being stuck in your throat. I have had this. I also have benign thyroid nodules which feel like this too. They’re common and harmless. I think you have health anxiety - I have been the same. There are so many benign reasons for your symptoms. See a doctor to put your mind at rest.

Your GP is the person to talk to as they have a general knowledge of all medical areas and will also have access to your medical records. They will refer you on for specialist help if needed.
Talk to your GP and tell them what you’ve told us.
Hope you get some help. 🌻