Breast cancer in the under 30s as well as other general health concerns

[Nonoanddefintelyno]

I already had health anxiety especially around breast cancer even before a family member got diagnosed with lung cancer caused by asbestos earlier this year. Im 26, but what worries me is that as someone who has very bumpy, ridged and dense breasts, that if I were to go to the GP i wouldn't get taken seriously because generally breast changes and lumps dont get put down as having sinister causes in younger patients. Theres a long history of hormone issues in other female members in the family and irregular periods. Additionally I just generally feel like I have a cold or under the weather at the moment as I have been having the most itchy nose , blocked ears and a weird slightly scratchy throat. This morning when i felt the side of my neck on the left, one of the nodes also felt larger than usual.

In my experience you absolutely would be taken seriously & referred, just not on the two week pathway if under 30 however it is still done quickly.

I was seen by GP, referred & seen by the breast cancer clinic in less than 2 weeks.

Your lymph nodes are swollen when you are under the weather, any changes in your breasts should be checked out, no matter what your age.

You have a cold and that's why your lymph nodes are swollen.

Dense lumpy breasts are normal in premenopausal women. What's important is what is normal for you. Check your breasts carefully once a month in the same part of your cycle and that's your baseline for normal. It's no good checking all the time because they will be different on different days of the month.
If, on your regular check, you find something that's not usually there, that's when you need a medical practitioner to examine.