NC'd for this. Posted in General Health as well but thought it might get more traffic here.
Found a lump on my breast this week- I do regular checks, but I noticed this when I was just cleaning myself in the shower, it's quite a hard obvious lump.
Spoke to a nurse that same day (I use a GP app) and she referred me to the GP the next day. GP examined me, and agreed lump was there and unusual. She asked where I was in my menstrual cycle and I answered honestly and said I am currently on my period- she said that hormones can make lumps come and go, so she wanted me to monitor for 2 weeks and then go back to her and check again before we talk about further referrals. She said that this would avoid anxiety on my part about a referral, and that "if it does turn out to be something sinister, an extra 2 weeks won't make much difference".
Now I know my own breasts- I understand they can get lumpy around a period, but this isn't like a hormonal lump, this is a very obvious hard lump- nothing like anything I've ever found on my breasts before. I would love for it to disappear when my period finishes, but the idea that I have to wait two weeks and then potentially wait two or more for a referral is driving me potty! I'd much rather get the referral and know for sure.
I understand that the NHS is under pressure, especially at the moment, and I am not at all one for health dramatics normally- but this just feels different to me. I am a mess- I can't eat or sleep and I'm snapping at my partner, I can't concentrate at work. I don't know if i can do this for another two weeks, only to find out I need the referral anyway. I think I'd feel more at ease of GP had said "it doesn't feel like anything sinister to me" but she said "if it is sinister 2 weeks won't make much difference" which doesn't feel very reassuring at all!
She did say that if the lump changes at all to make another appointment, and I've been checking it daily (usually multiple times) but I could probably lie about a change, but that feels like bad karma. But should I try and speak to her again and insist she refers me? Whenever you hear about people finding lumps and ignoring it they are urged to get it investigated as soon as possible- I feel like I'm doing everything as right as I can, I made an appointment literally the day I found the lump, and I'm still being made to wait!
I know logically if it is something sinister that an extra two weeks won't make a difference, but I don't know if I can carry on feeling this anxious for another fortnight. Is there anything else i can do??
If you've read this massive essay then thank you haha!