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 🤣

Eosinophilic esophagitis?

Just to add, in 2016 I was coughing so much I ended up with inflammation of the ribs.

My third GP as I said identified it as silent reflux and prescribed me omeprazole. I then found Dr Aviv's book, followed that and two months later I was coughing much less. My ribs and throat could heal up.

I still eat the wrong things because life is hectic/stressful and I don't always have energy to make every single thing from scratch.

But the acid watchers diet does work. Take chicken, for example, the pink chicken sitting on shelves is covered in what I call crap which will make your silent reflux symptoms worse. But organic chicken which is white on the shelves is completely fine.

If it doesn't grow naturally, don't eat it is the rule of thumb. I'm supposed to avoid sweets, but sometimes I don't. Changed from regular to decaff tea which helps.

Are you on any medication for your anxiety? Some of what you describe can be side effects of various medication?

If as a result of coughing you still have green phlegm, that indicates a residual chest infection, normally treated with antibiotics. I would see the GP to discuss just that.

@Mirabai It's highly unlikely OP has COPD in her 20s.

From your history and symptoms of long term cough with productive sections and globus in your throat the the biggest suspects are asthma or bronchiectasis which are both also easily triggered by reflux or sinus issues. Unless you started smothing at 10 and had a pack a day habit at that point copd is very unlikely. We can't really tell you what it is on here but as an HCP see your GP mention the long term cough and see what they say. If you have had any blood in what you cough up mention that too. Cancer is unlikely and everything else is manageable with the correct treatment.

@jamimmi The cough has only been since she had a chest infection 8 months ago.

Some times these things can leave lingering symptoms that gradually clear up, or they can need another course of different antibiotics.

Or as PPs said, reflux can cause it and OP has that.

@porridgeisbae you are completely correct reflux and lingering infection can cause these symptoms. As I tell my patients when managing their bronchiectasis, which unlike bronchitis can occur post severe infection , and is more likely to co exist with asthma. Often frequent and reccurent infections are the fist indicators. This is why the best advice is for the OP to discuss this with her GP who can take the appropriate action

I have asthma and I was diagnosed with it when I was like, 2. I've known a couple of people who were diagnosed with it later, but most people who have it were diagnosed with it as children.

With inhalers I live a normal, quite athletic, life.

I do have a persistent phlegmy cough (presumably from it/related allergies) though.

That white patch doesn't look anything like cancer to me. You sound run down with health anxiety. Ask for a full blood count

Raising the head of my bed by 8 inches got rid of my throat symptoms, cough and 4 x chest infections per year.

Changing to non dairy milk also helped a bit but not as much as sleeping on a slope

I was referred to ent because I felt like something was stuck in my throat, it was acid reflux. If you want quick answers, pay privately for a full blood count and vitamin check via medichecks. X

Sorry you’re not feeling well. Not a single person on here can do anything more than guess. Try keeping a diary so that you can figure out if anything makes it worse, wait for your results to come back and keep talking to the GP, or try a different GP. You’ve been given a whole host of possible reasons, it could be any one of them or it could have been something totally different or it could be nothing. The only way to find out is to keep going back.

Highly unlikely, but not as unlikely as cancer given the symptoms. Most patients are 40+ but the number of people are developing COPD in their 20s is rising, and the risk is increased with certain genetic conditions.

Thanks so much @DownNative , some really useful advice there.

The cough and phlegm with feeling of a lump in the throat sound like acid reflux (gord)

Hi all. I’m just looking for advice really to see if anyone else has had any of the same symptoms as I’m starting to get very worried. My doctors aren’t very good. I’ve been unwell since November. Started as body aches and a sore throat on one side, they initially said tonsillitis. Then referred me to ENT recently who couldn’t see anything except potential reflux. Taken tablets for that hasn’t helped with symptoms. Ent then added if the symptoms don’t go away we’ll do an MRI for tumours in your head and neck. Which worried me but since then I’ve developed a red lump inside my bottom lip it’s quite sore hasn’t gone away with any prescriptions. I’ve been having tight squeezing in the bottom of my neck daily. Constant aching collar bones also noticed slight swelling on left collar bone. Aching body, Fatigue & swelling on the left side of throat. Doctors felt the neck said he’s not concerned but come back in two weeks and we’ll refer you if it’s not better. I have a one year old and I’m struggling to concentrate on him and get anything done because of how I’m feeling and I’m worried as I was a smoker until this. Any advice appreciated.

@Jaydep92 I'm sorry you're feeling unwell and worried.
If I were you, I would start your own thread in the General Health section so more people see it.

I am sorry you have such horrific health anxiety. I’ve been there and it’s debilitating and devastating. CBT can be really helpful to re program your thoughts.
the fissure is unlikely to be anything to worry about- they won’t tell you it’s not cancer because if the tiny possibility it is- please remember that 99% of cases seen in clinic are innocent.
The cough and other symptoms sound like acid reflux