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?

If it is a tumour this won't be the last time someone is blunt and to the point and yes it is upsetting because the news is upsetting. She isn't the one who caused it she's trying to fix it and on a cancer pathway you'll get the best best treatment. I had a scary lump and was on the fast track and the letter stated 9/10 referrals are begnign but isn't it better to be thoroughly checked? Don't shoot the messenger. Your GP is taking it very seriously. That's good. It's horrible and upsetting of course so I can totally understand why you're jangled by it. May yet of course be something or nothing but an abundance of caution is sensible.

While there's nothing wrong with the information the GP gave, none of us were there to hear her tone of voice or see her facial expression and body language. - never mind what she might have said to follow up that suspicion. Communication is vastly more than a few words, and bedside manner very much revolves around the non-verbal stuff.

So I disagree. I don't think anyone here is in a position to say that she's a fantastic GP. She might be, but without witnessing all the other communication elements that OP experienced, we can't come to that conclusion.

@Bookist yeah I see what you’re saying about a different delivery but had she said ‘probably nothing sinister’ and it is something sinister then would you have turned around and blamed her for not preparing you for cancer/tumour?

Maybe she had a bit of a moment and didn’t realise how blunt she was.

I think GPs can be quite blunt. I went with strange symptoms and I had several possibilities in my mind. The doctor just came out with "Of course it could be ovarian cancer" which sent me in to a panic! But in a way I appreciated the honesty. I kind of get more scared when they hint at stuff or don't tell you their suspicions. I did actually have have cancer and the next two doctors I saw (a sonographer and a consultant) refused to say cancer even though they were 99% certain it was. They were both very evasive and could barely look me in the eye, were whispering amongst themselves - this was absolutely terrifying! A few days later a different consultant just told me it was almost definitely csncer and told me the plan of action and this was better. I like to know what they're thinking, however bad.

Well yes, it certainly does change the meaning. Hadn't thought of it that way, so thank you. She never mentioned a lipoma or fat tissue. I've Dr Googled lipoma and must say my symptoms are exactly the same, as are the images. Odd that she didn't even mention that as a possibility?

YABU, sorry.

You've gone to the doctor for help and advice and that's exactly what she has done, give you advice stop being ridiculous

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 didn’t! Got a recall after a screening. They did a detailed mammogram, then showed me into a room where I was confronted by a huge picture of my boob on a screen complete with big round white mass. Had a biopsy then and there and was informed over the phone two weeks later that it was benign. No counsellor involved at any stage!

I have a lump in the flesh of my thigh - G.P couldn’t be more uninterested. It’s grown but you have to dig deep to feel it.
I am quite sure at 45 I’m peri, no HRT for me though, I was given anti depressants. (Which I haven’t taken!) Don’t think they’ll help my night sweats somehow.

At least your G.P cares, even if they were a bit blunt.

When she said that she'd be more worried that it was cancer, I couldn't see her face because she was looking at her PC screen and typing. Her voice was just very matter of fact, really and nothing else was said, except she was referring me for an US. I think I was genuinely shocked into silence. It felt like I'd just been diagnosed by a robot!

Quite! This GP sounds totally on the ball and thorough, and she's been threatened with a complaint for her efforts.

I would NEVER ever have considered what you're describing to be a DVT. Not ever. I'm blown away that you would think what you describe could be a DVT

A basic Google tells you what it MIGHT be.

Of course most likely it's a lipoma. They are really common

That's a bit harsh.

Maybe she was a bit brisk, we can't know as we weren't there.

Sounds like she is being thorough though and I don't really see anything wrong with what you say she said.

I understand you being disturbed by the possibility of cancer, but these speeded up pathways are to decide at a very early stage whether it is cancerous or benign. Most do turn out to be benign as I understand it but the investigations are needed for that. She has to tell you what pathway you are on and it seems that was what she did.

I hope the pathway provides you with the reassurance you need very soon, but I really can't see that the GP did anything wrong. I see no grounds for complaint as things stand.

She sounds like an excellent GP - efficient, clear and honest. She can't be blamed for your reaction, OP. Please, please don't complain because someone is doing their job properly.

What a ridiculous, pointless comment.

Enjoying joining in a pile on against a woman who is understandably worried, @UnicornCloud?

You have a history of breast cancer and now a new lump in your leg. Unfortunately a cancer diagnosis isn't as unlikely for you as it might be for someone else. Your GP might have been blunt but it sounds like she was reasonable and factual. Strike her off immediately

I'm actually like you in that I would want to be told once they knew conclusively. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer they were clear but also managed to be kind, too.

But when I was going through all the earlier tests they were clear that it could be several other things as well as cancer. Just surprised my GP didn't even mention it could possibly be anything else.

Though now it looks like it's a high chance of being a lipoma (thanks Dr Google) whereas a sarcoma is one of the very rarest forms of cancer.

Thank you for such a considerate and empathetic post.

I doubt it’s cancer but good it’s being checked out. Doctors can be blunt. It’s honestly vanishingly rare that I leave an interaction with a doctor feeling particularly cared for. They’re ridiculously overstretched and I don’t think ‘people skills’ are a significant focus of their training. They tend to be people of science, not the heart! I’m sure you will be fine 💐

I never said that I actually thought it could be a DVT. If I'd even half suspected that I would have been straight to see my GP as soon as the swelling appeared. I know what DVT looks like because it's what killed my brother.

I think I only mentioned it out of nervousness as she examined it.

I agree OP, her delivery was very blunt and potentially upsetting, not ideal! I had a breast lump many years ago and the GP I saw said 'I don't think it's a cyst, feels more like a tumour' ! She was wrong, thankfully, but imagine how I felt during those 2 weeks' wait to be seen at hospital!

Yes, seems like she likes to come straight out of the gate with both fists swinging.

Oh Lord, what a thing to say to you. Why not just stop at 'I can't tell what it really is so will send you for a scan?'

Glad it was a happy ending for you though x

Thank you. It's like doctors specialise in robotic honesty nowadays. Though, I must say that every single nurse and doctor at the breast clinic were genuinely warm and empathetic. I genuinely felt cared for there.