Advice about when to get breast checked out.

[youplonkerrodney]

I know the knee-jerk response is - If in doubt, GO!

But I am afraid that if the doctor can’t find a problem, I will be labelled ‘anxious’ in my notes and not taken seriously in future when there IS something wrong.

My mum has had breast cancer twice, I am now 40, I haven’t had children so am at higher risk and am reaching the age where it is becoming more of a possibility.

In the last 10 years I have been to the GP for:

• Medication for anxiety (low dose during a stressful time - took it for six months then didn’t renew prescription).

• I felt that I had memory problems. He told me to keep a diary and come back in 3 months if still a concern. I never went back (pretty sure it was stress again).

• Went to have a sore lump in my armpit examined (last Septmeber) except had vanished by the time my appointment came round! Must’ve been a gland or something.

Now, since around February I have had a sense of discomfort in / around my right armpit. Not pain, more just an awareness that something isn’t quite right. It almost feels like a lump except when I feel it there is NO lump, and no actual site of pain either. Just that I am aware that the right armpit is a bit uncomfortable. So I don’t have anything specific to say to a doctor except ‘my armpit doesn't feel right’.

So I haven’t been because I am afraid the doctor will just think I’m being paranoid, especially given my pattern of visits in the last few years, and I will not be taken seriously.

I had stopped wearing a bra because of the discomfort (even though it was mild- I hate bras anyway) and that’s been a problem in this weather because I can’t wear a jumper! So have been wearing a bra and been so aware of this discomfort. I don’t know what to do.

To complicate matters I am in the middle of relocating and I am still registered at a GP about 100 miles away. But that’s a side issue I guess.

If you are worried and have a family history I think you should go! There will be people going much more frequently than you for much smaller issues. I work in a and e and people come with practically nothing sometimes! A good doctor will consider your perspective and why you've felt the need to come rather than make you feel silly. If he or she is dismissive find another GP.

I had almost exactly this issue recently.

I waited a couple of weeks and it didn't go away. GP sent me straight to breast clinic (two weeks) where I had a mammogram and heard all was well same day.

Was genuinely terrified for the two weeks but it was such a relief to be reassured. They are used to seeing people in similar circumstances and wouldn't you rather be a bit embarrassed than leave it too late if there IS a problem?

Thanks, yes I would happily be embarrassed to put my mind at ease.

If it does turn out to be ‘nothing’ though, that’ll be two GP visits for non-existent breast problems within a year. It makes me look like I have an anxiety issue. I am so worried about a ‘boy who cried wolf’ situation down the line.

You should go. I left mine six months as I was so preoccupied with other things.

I was fine, it was HRT related cysts.

Fwiw, I've been to the GP about 30 times in the last couple of years...also, when I mentioned something about suicide to GP in relation to a medication side effect, she used that word in my notes. I called her and had a frank discussion about why I didn't think it would be appropriate to keep it in my notes. She agreed and removed the word.

Just because something is in your notes, it doesn't mean it can't be removed later.

You absolutely should always go to your GP if you have concerns around breast cancer with your relatives history. Really stop worrying about what other people think and get it checked out - every time. In fact perhaps have a discussion with your GP about the risks and mitigating them as much as possible. They will repeat what I said above.

I’ve been 3 times with a breast lump, one was a benign lump that I had removed, one is a cyst and I still have it, and the last was fibrous breast tissue. The cyst and fibrous breast tissue were given the all clear during ultrasound at breast clinic there and then.

Id go to the GP, they’re unlikely to refer you to breast clinic if they think you don’t need to have it checked, and would give you reassurance.

I would definitely get it checked. I felt a lump on my breast and I was straight away send to one stop breast clinic. They couldn’t see anything on the ultrasound and I was told it was probably my rib ( small boobs😂). Don’t worry about what will GP think. I’m not one bit embarrassed by it

How much is a private mammogram and blood test? I don’t really have the money, but I wonder whether I should go private this time to keep my NHS record ‘clean’? I might be overthinking this, but I really don’t want to be labelled as “that” anxious patient.

Now you are being silly op.

Go! Don’t ge afraid. The doctor would rather you go then live in fear.

A good GP would not dismiss your concerns just because they’ve read your notes.
keeping a clean record at your doctors is silly.

I’ve been twice for a lump, both times referred on the two week path way, one was a cyst, other they didn’t see/feel anything

@youplonkerrodney- make an appointment.
Three visits in 10 years makes you an exceptionally light user regardless of whether you go back to “finish” your episode of care each time. I doubt the GP would give that a second thought (I work with 5).
If I’m being honest I find this a bit of an unusual reaction to what is a fairly routine pattern of GP visits.
Kindly, don’t overthink - make an appointment ☺️

Oh I did this yesterday. Have had pain in left breast for about 6 weeks, tried to ignore it but it wasn’t going away so I grew a set of bollocks and rang the GP. The receptionist was lovely and booked me in same day (unheard of).

GP examined both breasts, couldn’t feel anything sinister so just said to manage with normal pain relief if required. What was quite reassuring is that she said pain on its own isn’t usually a common symptom of breast cancer - dimpling, discharge and lumps are more concerning.

I think you should definitely get checked out especially with your family history. Hopefully your GP won’t find anything of concern and will put your mind at ease. As previous poster said, some people go to doctor /A&E for far less.

I know 🙈

I don’t think I have health anxiety about being ill as such, but I AM worried about being seen as a time waster and consequently not being believed when I need help. I think I have heard too many horror stories (mainly by my friend with chronic conditions. I read it a lot on mumsnet too about women having to advocate and fight the system to be believed and I’m really not that sort of person).

Hey Op. a private provider will update your nhs GP anyway.

if it helps last year i filled out an e consult - I had developed a strange sort of bruise mark on my breast- and they replied electronically saying don’t worry about it. So they won’t necessarily even ask you to come in. If they do, at least you know they made the decision not you.

It really doesn't you know, it makes you sensible in getting something checked out

Just go to the GP.

I went a few months ago as I thought in had stringy/lumps and pain. She had a good poke and prod and couldn't find anything but told me to come back in 4 weeks for another review to put my mind at rest.

Absolutely no drama.

OK thanks everyone. I will make an appointment. Next question - does it make any difference which GP surgery I go to? I still am registered at my old home address (still waiting for house to sell), meanwhile am living with relatives 100 miles away as I recently started my new job near them. I could register as a temporary resident perhaps? Until I have proof of a permanent address here?

You’re going to have a nightmare getting to see someone at any of them, so just chose one and start the long battle of getting an appointment

GPs would always rather see you. You have barely seen them at all in recent years. Your anxiety is making you concerned that if there is nothing wrong this time you wont be taken seriously again and you will scupper your chances of being heard about your health. You are worried as your Mum has had cancer twice and that is completely understandable- you have a concern and you need to be seen. Please don’t worry about getting a black mark from the GP if there isnt anything to worry about- they would much rather their patients are seen early and things are ruled out.

You should be able to register as temporary patient at GP practice near you

Go to whichever is closest op.
this would be a same day app at my docs, so not all are a nightmare to get seen

I've had BC twice, different types. Recall after regular mammogram once, breast not in bra second time. Second time it wasn't the breast that didn't fit bra that had the cancer. Both times found very early so easily dealt with compared to later stage.

Go to GP, explain exactly what you are going through mentally and physically. Ask if you are suitable for a mammogram to put your mind at rest. Then you will have an answer, as not knowing ither way is far far worse.

Please go.

I work at a GP surgery - we have patients that ring on a daily/weekly basis with one thing or another! You are hardly a high user.

But you will need to register at a new surgery or travel back to your old surgery. They wont see you as a temporary resident for something like this. Temporary resident is just really for an acute medical problem.

They should get you in pretty much immediately for your problem. If they make you wait I would complain. If someone rang our surgery with a breast lump or similar we would have them in within 24 hours.

Can you afford to go private? It's a few hundred quid for a GP appointment and mammogram with Bupa