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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Lump on arm, not going to see the doctor

36 replies

NaiceRedMentor · 15/05/2025 23:36

I have a hard lump on the outside of my arm. It's just happened and I feel like it's got bigger over the past week. Didn't notice it before. Sounds like a cyst. Aibu not to go to the doctor?

OP posts:
Original poster
NaiceRedMentor · 15/05/2025 23:37

Can't see it, can only feel it

OP posts:
cryinginthechapel · 15/05/2025 23:38

If you get told that you are being unreasonable will that make you change your mind and go to the doctor?

TheCurious0range · 15/05/2025 23:39

DH had one he had to have it removed and tested as it could've been a carcinoma luckily his was benign

JDM625 · 15/05/2025 23:40

Don't you have a mirror to look at it???

Original poster
NaiceRedMentor · 15/05/2025 23:41

JDM625 · 15/05/2025 23:40

Don't you have a mirror to look at it???

I have eyes?.

OP posts:
Original poster
NaiceRedMentor · 15/05/2025 23:43

TheCurious0range · 15/05/2025 23:39

DH had one he had to have it removed and tested as it could've been a carcinoma luckily his was benign

Mine is a lump, under the skin,.not a mole etc

OP posts:
ReplacementBusService · 15/05/2025 23:44

Whether you want to go or not is up to you. Seems like an absolute no brainer to get it checked out, but perhaps there is a weird and complicated set of reasons to post about it on the internet instead.....can't quite come up with what those reasons might be

TheCurious0range · 15/05/2025 23:45

NaiceRedMentor · 15/05/2025 23:43

Mine is a lump, under the skin,.not a mole etc

Show quote history

DHs was under the skin and wasn't a mole, the doctor was concerned enough that it was removed in just over a week and sent for biopsy. Why wouldn't you get it checked?

JDM625 · 15/05/2025 23:45

NaiceRedMentor · 15/05/2025 23:41

I have eyes?.

Show quote history

But you said you couldn't see it!

RosesAndHellebores · 15/05/2025 23:45

@NaiceRedMentor you probably don't need the Dr but a MNetter of yesteryear, who used to organise meet-ups, took a lump on her arm to the doctor. Fast growing and a bit tender.

It was cancer.

She was fine but I'd encourage you to get it checked put.

Fleakster · 15/05/2025 23:46

Of course you have it checked. It’s probably fine but if it isn’t the quicker it is sorted the better.

mrsfollowill · 15/05/2025 23:47

Where is it on your arm? if its near your wrist could it be a ganglion? I had this early 20's harmless. Old fashioned medical advice was whack it with the 'Family bible' I went to the docs who confirmed that was still the treatment. We do have a 'family bible' it's massive and not in my possession imagine 2 old fashioned yellow pages. I did nothing and it just went away.

DoYouReally · 15/05/2025 23:47

You have a lump and you don't know what's causing it.

It's always worth checking out.

If it's harmless, you'll have reassurance.
If it's dangerous, it's best treat it before it grows.

Original poster
NaiceRedMentor · 15/05/2025 23:47

JDM625 · 15/05/2025 23:45

But you said you couldn't see it!

Show quote history

Because it's under the skin. It's not visible. Only feel it..

OP posts:
rainbowsparkle28 · 15/05/2025 23:50

Like seriously - why wouldn’t you?! 🙄 Juat for your peace of mind more than anything and you can then hopefully move on, no issues. I think you would be irresponsible not to just in case as others have said it is anything serious, but only you can make that decision 🤷‍♀️ And if not for you, then I would like to hope there are people around you that care for you, so do it for them.

ItGhoul · 15/05/2025 23:53

If you weren’t worried you wouldn’t be posting. Are you hoping people will tell you to go to the doctor? Why can’t you just decide this for yourself?

I’ve got two little lumps like that on one thigh. Had them for years. Pretty sure they’re just harmless lipomas and I’ve never seen a doctor about them.

Snickersnack1 · 16/05/2025 00:04

Have you got anxiety about going to the doctor?

I think that given you’ve already had it a week and you think it’s grown, as opposed to going away, you should get it checked out. I suppose one thing you could do, seeing as it’s on your arm, is pop into the local chemist and see what they suggest?

Try not to panic OP, the vast majority of lumps and bumps are entirely harmless. But going to the doctor for lumps is a good habit to get into. Don’t overthink it - just go. This is a habit that could save your life, if not this time then in the future.

whateveryouwantmetosay · 16/05/2025 01:33

I’m confused as to what the point of this thread is. You found a lump and you aren’t worried. So why post?

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 16/05/2025 01:34

whateveryouwantmetosay · 16/05/2025 01:33

I’m confused as to what the point of this thread is. You found a lump and you aren’t worried. So why post?

Yes, I was wondering the same thing.

tuvamoodyson · 16/05/2025 05:54

It’s your arm 🤷‍♀️ do what you like.

WokeMarxistPope · 16/05/2025 06:00

What are the advantages of not going to the doctor?

Forestwanderer · 16/05/2025 06:16

OP. I'm not an doctor, but this sounds to me that it's most likely a Lipoma, which is harmless. They are quite common and I know of several people who have them on their arms, where they seem to commonly appear.
Although, of course, do go and have your mind put at rest and find out for certain, if its bothering you and causing you anxiety.

RentalWoesNotFun · 16/05/2025 06:24

It’s probably harmless but youre potentially staking your life on that. It’s Russian roulette. Why risk it.

Just make a non-urgent appointment and get it checked. Why risk it. Plus it’ll be easier to remove when small. If it needs that. Plus the wait will likely be years.

Could it be a ganglion on the wrist? I made an appointment for that. Was not laughed out the surgery (or whatever you presume will happen that’s putting you off). No treatment though. Still here a year later. Annoyingly.

Dinosweetpea · 16/05/2025 06:28

My friend had the exact same thing, it was cancer. It was quickly removed and she's now fine. It's really not worth the risk.

itsgettingweird · 16/05/2025 06:31

I think the question is why would you not want to go and why are you posting for reassurance that’s the right thing?

I cant help but think you want reassurance not going is right - but it’s more about why you don’t want to go rather than if you should go.

I doubt anyone on the internet is going to tell you to ignore it because we can’t tell you if it’s serious or not.

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