GP has really panicked me. Should I complain?

[Bookist]

Had a lump/swelling appear on the outside of my upper left thigh in November. Nearly the size of my palm. Not hard (slightly soft). Not coloured. Not hot. Slightly tender sometimes. Occasional pins & needles sensation down outside of the leg. I think I noticed it a couple of days after doing a lot of physical exercise all day?

It's still there maybe slightly larger, not sure. So went to the GP today. She examined it. I mentioned there is a history of DVT in my family, to which she replied (and these are her exact words) "It's definitely not DVT, so no need to worry about that. I'd be much more worried that it might be cancer or a tumor."

I think I went into shock. I'd gone in thinking I'd torn a muscle or maybe bursitis, and she started talking about cancer! I was so shocked that I couldn't think to ask any questions. She then said she would refer me for an UltraSound and sent me on my way.

I can't believe she would be so brutal and callous, even if she does suspect it might be something sinister. I really don't know what to think, I think I'm still in shock. But surely there's better ways of speaking to a patient than this?

I’m sorry you’re unwell, but I don’t see you have any grounds for complaint. She was straightforward and honest.
I hope everything is ok.

I’m a doctor. It’s great that she’s taking prompt action. Make sure it’s an urgent referral that’s been sent. But She should have been more sensitive in her delivery.

YABU…

I’m 40 and must have been told 3 or 4 times to get X checked as there’s a risk it could be a tumour / cancer / cancerous / precancerous

I took it for what it was - a referral to a specialist who knows something about it…

i would much rather be told
clearly what it could be and get referred than have them waffle some random vaguery or speak euphemistically around the issue.

It's a shock yes, but surely the thought must have crossed your mind at some point? No matter what it is, it won't be identified or diagnosed without further investigation anyway. So I think the GP while very blunt and probably not the best at communication, has now given you an idea of the worst case scenario, and an ultrasound will give more information. I am sure it is nothing serious though.

I would not make a complaint myself, as a tumour would have been at the back of my mind anyway. We all think the worst sometimes.

It's really not brutal or callous to be honest that it's possible. I'm sure you agree that IS a concern, which is what was said. And I'm sure she's right to check / rule it out.

Obviously it's hoped it's nothing sinister and it'll be worrying until you're sure, but no you shouldn't be complaining about her.

Complain about what? She was honest with you, and if it came to you attending a specialist appointment and it turning out to be cancer, heaven forbid, you’d want to know why she didn’t say anything at the time. She would have documented it in her notes and you’ll be on a 2WW pathway if she suspects cancer so I’m glad she was upfront with you. At least she is taking it very seriously!

I’m hoping for the best outcome for you and I understand that you are scared but lashing out at your GP isn’t going to help.

GPs do tell you what you are being tested for nowadays and that can seem a bit brutal, but they tell you if they even have a tiny suspicion of cancer. Did she also say it could be benign/anything else? Usually they try to say it in a reassuring manner, but they can't give false information. I do think it's odd though that you just get told this in a 5 min consultation at the GPs but if you go to the breast clinic you have a counsellor to sit with you even if it turns out to be benign.

I mean when you have a great big lump that used not to be there...a tumour is a possibility that needs to be ruled out. I'd be more worried if she didn't mention it.

Not all tumors are cancerous. I don’t see the issue TBH.

YABU!

I can honestly say it never crossed my mind that it might be anything sinister. I thought I'd torn a muscle, or Bursitis? I didn't even know you could get cancer in your thigh muscle/hip? I won't be officially complaining about her, but she had zero bedside manner and must have seen how shocked I was.

GPs can’t win.

She sounds like an excellent GP who is bothering to cover all bases and discus it with you like an adult

You seem to want to be babied

How old are you for goodness sake

She has told you it’s not dvt needing immediate action - but isn’t sure what the lump is but important to get a can to rule out cancer - hopefully will be a benign lump/lipoma.

don’t think it’s worth complaining about

Honestly OP, she’s referring you to rule out cancer so be glad she’s taking it seriously.

Luckily she does know, so she’s referred you to rule it out. Honestly OP, it sounds like you have a brilliant GP.

OK, the OP won't be making a complaint, she got a shock and that's understandable. I hope it will turn out to be nothing more serious than a benign lipoma which is what it sounds like, but tests will confirm. Best of luck OP.

No, she didn't mention anything else it could be, except that it wasn't DVT. She barely examined it to be honest, didn't get me to move my leg or hips at all.

It just seemed to come out of nowhere really. At least it's going to get properly checked out I suppose. If it is a tumour it must be one of the fastest growing in history, because I know it wasn't there the previous month. To then appear, almost palm sized just a couple of weeks later!

Agree with the others here, you not having thought if that possibility beforehand in no way changes whether or not she should think of the possibility and whether that's callous. Glad she's taking it seriously, hope it's nothing of the sort.

"It's definitely not DVT, so no need to worry about that. I'd be much more worried that it might be cancer or a tumor."

I read it as they were more likely than DVT, but that doesn't mean she thinks it is that. So DVT would be 10% chance, cancer 20% , but lipoma or fatty tissue being 75% chance. Put the word "instead" at the end of that sentence, it changes its meaning completely.

Just out of curiosity, how would you have preferred for her to tell you about a potential cancer/tumour? Is there ever a nice way of delivering it? Just a genuine question, not judging!

but why mention cancer? Why not say it could be a number of possibilities - let’s just get an ultrasound done? why does the dr mention the worst case scenario ? They should wait until they have the x-ray ultrasound report- I feel for you - it sends you into a real panic- wishing you a clear scan

Complain about what? A GP being thorough, doing her job and talking to you like the grown up you are? Honestly you're being precious af. I hope it's not anything sinister, but be grateful that she's ruling it all out as swiftly as she can. I understand the c word cause cause panic, but we have to be transparent with these things.

Oh, interesting........

I dealt with being diagnosed with breast cancer without ever shedding a tear because all the HCPs I met were considerably more gentle and empathetic than my GP.

Not really sure? But I guess I would have expected her to say something like 'There's lots of things this could be, most likely nothing sinister, but there's always a possibility, so to make sure you'll need an Ultra Sound.'