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.