In young women, how likely is it that a GP will be willing to book a mammogram if someone doesnt have an obvious lump in their breast, but they have an enlarged hair follicle on their breast with slightly pink skin around it

[Nonoanddefintelyno]

I feel like I'll instantly be told that I'm making a molehill out of nothing. The main cause of my health anxiety is that i feel like as much as I care about and love my family, there is evidently a lack of communication about health risks or inherited cancers. Six months ago, my dad got diagnosed with mesothelioma and I only got told just over a month ago. I understand that I have very high health anxiety so it truthfully potentially would have not been the most sensible decision to tell me straight away because of how I might have reacted to the news. But I feel that my family don't really understand how much anguish and daily breakdowns I have over my physical health. I obsessively analyze my breasts everyday and if there's even the tiniest area of skin that is a different colour to the rest of my breasts, I will fully straight up believe that i have IBC or stage 4 breast cancer. Its horrifically embarrassing but sometimes I even deliberately hold in my poo because I'm so scared of going to the toilet and potentially seeing blood in the toilet bowl afterwards. I'm basically in a breakdown i don't care how shameful that sounds because it feels like an admission of weakness, but im sick of living like this. In my current mind frame, I'm glad I dropped our of uni because god forbid, if I was still there and I found a lump in my breast two years down the line, that would have fucked me up completely

That sounds like a pimple?

An ultrasound would be the first step before a mammogram but in this case it sounds like a simple hair follicle that will settle in a matter of days.

Is it an ingrown hair maybe?

It sounds like an ingrown hair so I wouldn't expect a painful mammogram referral....

Do you have health anxiety?

GPs can’t refer directly for mammograms. They can refer to the breast clinic who then csn accept or reject the referral. I work in primary care handling referrals to secondary care and would think that a GP wouldn’t make this type of referral and the clinic wouldn’t accept it.
it sounds like something that could be treated with an antibiotic cream and/or left alone to see if it heals. Unless there are other worrying symptoms such as a lump, thickening, dimpled skin etc?

Pay for a private ultrasound - I paid £50 for one last month. Then after that focus on getting help for your mental health. X

I had a referral to the breast unit in my 20s - it was a needle biopsy and ultrasound,no mammogram. (And all was well.)

I highly doubt they would do a mammogram in this situation, because I would think your symptoms don't point to something that would show up on one. Insisting on a mammogram won't make them do one if there is no need.

However it does sound like there is something on your skin that needs investigating, and I would expect them to investigate that. If the hair follicle is as you describe, it could be infected, have something stuck into it etc which might need treatment.

I doubt your GP would refer you for a mammogram. I would make an appointment to see your GP, explain why you're concerned & tell them about your anxiety around your health. This is what you need help & support with. Ask for a referral to Mental Health services/ therapy to help you find the root cause of your anxiety & to find ways to calm your mind & to reset how you react to health problems. I understand completely how you feel. Take care. 💐

The GP, if concerned would refer you to the breast clinic and they’d decide if further tests were needed, or they would reassure you that there is nothing to worry about. Your health anxiety is more worrisome though and you really need to confide in your GP about your feelings. I’ve had phases of quite extreme health anxiety and the intrusive thoughts you speak about but it has followed actual health problems and I am adopted so I think it links to knowing not much family history. Please seek help for this, you can get better at managing your thoughts.

You don't want to live like this. It's exhausting, you must be exhausted.

You need to get a doctors appointment urgent, tomorrow if you can. Tell the receptionist it's for your mental health, and then tell the doctor everything. Show them your post if it helps.

I think you need some help to reduce your anxiety. Mine overwhelms me sometimes and I've been where you are. That cold white hot fear in the middle of the night?

I dont think they do mammogram for anyone under 45 something to do with breast density its usually an ultrasound in the breast clinic thats what happened to me everytime iv had a lump

A mammogram won’t cure your health anxiety and, frankly, your catastophizing is going to prevent you from simply treating actual problems that you may have. Refer yourself to a mental health specialist trained in this issue. Your massive health anxiety is turning you into someone so irrational that health professionals and family will end up tuning you out.

I also had a referral to a breast unit in my 20’s. Nothingbfound. But it was extremely thorough. And very efficient.

The GP needs to know what you have written here and I would prioritise that asap.