Is this what the NHS would do?

[weebitfreakedout]

Hi

I'm in Asia and a bit worried about something, could you help please?

A couple of months ago, I had a painful lump in my armpit. They said probably an abscess, so gave me antibiotics, and it went away.

For the past few days, I have had similar, but also a painful breast.

I went to the GP today, who did and exam and said that she could feel a small nodule in my breast where most of the pain is, and that the lump in armpits is probably lymph gland reaction.

I have a temperature (38.5), so she gave me antibiotics, and if still symptoms in 3 days, says I should arrange a mammogram.

Is this what the NHS would do? It is such a hit and miss process here, that I can never really trust what is said by doctors (a few completely wrong diagnoses in the past)

Thank you if you can help. Obviously I don't expect to be told what the problem is, just of the course of action sounds about right.

Well if you were in the UK and your doctor had said the same, it work strike me as pretty reasonable. Vast majority of lumps would be referred to a breast clinic within 2 weeks as a standard course of action.

seems reasonable - depending on your age though an USS breast may also be done and may be more helpful. Can you be referred to breast clinic?

Thanks. I have no idea if there are breast clinics here :/

no, i think that over here you would be sent for further investigation. lumps in breasts are generally taken very seriously, and IME even if they suspect it's nothing serious you generally get referred for biopsy....

Here everything is private, so I can choose to refer myself for whatever at any point. What I need to know really, is should I, or just sit out what the GP (also private) said?

Sorry, forgot to say thanks for all your responses. Going to bed shortly, will see how it goes I think.

i would definitely refer yourself. it's better to find out early if it's anything more concerning i would think?

Management plan sounds reasonable though I agree with a previous poster that an ultrasound might be more useful than a mammogram in this situation. Mammograms can also be quite painful - not ideal when you have a tender breast.

Definitely should be followed up though. Even if lump settles with antibiotics