View Full Version : Can gps tell bad lumps to normal?
Jessicasmummy
29-10-16, 14:24
I attended my gp on Monday due to a lump I found in my breast. She's felt it and said she's not worried about it but will send me to the breast clinic. I've been referred non urgent so will be a couple of months before I am seen! I had a phone consultation yesterday with a different gp who said I don't have suspected breast cancer so I won't be referred urgently and they can tell features of bad lumps that indicate cancers. I'm quite concerned about this as I'm only 28 and a mum and feel that I should be seen urgently no matter what age I am
I've read that benign lumps are usually squishy, movable etc whereas potentially cancerous lumps are more fixated and hard. GP's would definitely know the difference.
Carrie8484
29-10-16, 14:36
When I found a lump in June I was referred under the 2 week rule. Mine turned out to be a cyst but that was the worst 2 weeks, waiting for the appointment. I do think it's very reassuring that you haven't been fast tracked, your GP will know what she is looking/feeling for, but it won't do your anxiety any good I agree, especially if you have health anxiety. All I can suggest is that you either go private (pay around £200 to see a breast surgeon) or tell your GP you want to be referred under the 2 week rule as you are anxious. X
unsure_about_this
29-10-16, 14:37
Hi Jessica
Earlier this year I was referred under the two week rule because my GP thought he felt a lump in the male region. went to see the specialist, had an ultrasound as he got not find/feel the lump, All what it turned out was some cysts
I am sure the GP will not be messing around if any doubt she thought you had breast cancer. If you are still very worried try and push to be seen sooner.
Kathryn313
29-10-16, 16:18
Hi, saw your other post on this and the same answer stands...All breast referrals in the uk, non urgent or urgent are required to be seen under the 'two week' rules. You are very likely to get an appointment come through in the next couple of days and probably for a date early next week. This does not mean he lied to you about the urgency so don't panic.
Have you heard about an appointment yet?
Jessicasmummy
30-10-16, 15:49
I have read up on it and more sites say a patient under 30 with an unexplained lump should be referred non urgent. I don't think this is fair! I do trust my gp as if she thought it was anything nasty she wouldn't hang about but it's still worrying and I can't help but think "what if"
Kathryn313
30-10-16, 16:08
Non urgent referrals for breast lumps are still required to be seen in two weeks.
I worked in cancer services and this was a new government target introduced in 2009. So they can't delay you more than that so shouldn't have too long a wait.
I have read up on it and more sites say a patient under 30 with an unexplained lump should be referred non urgent. I don't think this is fair! I do trust my gp as if she thought it was anything nasty she wouldn't hang about but it's still worrying and I can't help but think "what if"
As Kathryn pointed out both urgent and non urgent referrals are still under the 2 week rule. They've just put you under 'non urgent' as they don't suspect cancer but still need to check it out as with all breast lumps.
Jessicasmummy
30-10-16, 16:56
I've been told I'll be seen in a couple of months
Kathryn313
30-10-16, 17:20
Interesting. I don't think they are allowed to do that.
I would check with the clinic at the hospital if they have your referral and when you should expect to be seen as you are aware that urgent and non urgent cases should be seen within 14 days of referral.
Carrie8484
30-10-16, 18:56
Interesting. I don't think they are allowed to do that.
I would check with the clinic at the hospital if they have your referral and when you should expect to be seen as you are aware that urgent and non urgent cases should be seen within 14 days of referral.
I have heard of women with breast lumps that are not deemed suspicious to not being seen under the 2 week rule too. I agree that it doesn't 'sound' right though. But, again, the GP would not be messing about with this if she was concerned. I think it depends on your GP? I saw a locum doctor when I found my breast lump (the only GP with any appointments available that day) and I *knew* she would refer me under the 2 week rule as she wasn't a long standing permanent GP at that practice, and the locums tend to 'cover their backs' with these things.
Jessicasmummy
31-10-16, 08:48
When I seen my gp last week she said shes not worried so I shouldn't be but u think that's easy for her to say. She did say she was sending me to the breast clinic for reassurance as I do have really bad anxiety. I didn't know she thought it was a fibroandeoma until Friday when I had a phone consultation with another gp. She Basically said I don't have suspected cancer so I won't be seen under the 2 week rule. But how do they KNOW it's bit cancer?????
Sparkling_Fairy
31-10-16, 21:22
Because they know what to feel for.
It's the hardness, the density and the shape. A doctor can usually tell instantly whether it's something worrying or not. They are trained to recognize certain properties of lumps.
Do they know for sure? No GP knows anything 100%! But if she felt even remotely any of the properties a malignant lump would have, she would have referred you urgently
Jessicasmummy
31-10-16, 21:53
My anxiety has hit the roof tonight. I've basically told myself its cancer and can't stop crying. I have a 2 year old and should be having fun with her but I feel so down. I've stupidly read up on Google about people being misdiagnosed and it's freaked me out. I was only at the breast clinic in February and I keep telling myself they would have felt something then but then it was the other breast I was there for. I don't think I'm going to cope waiting months for an appointment when I've got this in the back of my head thinking I'm going to die and leave a young child. We were supposed to be trying for another baby but that's been put off
Kathryn313
31-10-16, 22:07
The GP is very likely to right in this case, have you asked the GP for any help with your anxiety as this is clearly an issue. As even if you were seen in a two week window, it seems that you would be back again in another couple of months having another one checked out!
Regarding appointment time, I would contact the breast clinic as opposed to your GP and check out the waiting times for non urgent referral. I have attached a snapshot from the rule book. You are no asking to be referred under the two week cancer rule, but rather the two week breast symptomatic rule.
Your other option is a private check up but I wouldn't advise that, as the money would be better spent on therapy or some new for your little one.
Jessicasmummy
01-11-16, 08:42
It's just the whole what if! I'm terrified because this is an actual lump this time. I do have fibrocystic breasts but I don't think this is what it is. I will be getting help for my anxiety at some point when I'm brave enough to talk about it.
I will be getting help for my anxiety at some point when I'm brave enough to talk about it.
The "some point" is now! You're obviously brave enough to go to doctors all the time and you're posting about it here so there's really no excuse. You're so worried about leaving your little one but you're essentially doing that now by worrying so much and it's not good for her to see her Mum worrying all the time! Believe me, kids pick up on things like that. Do it for her and most of all for yourself!
Positive thoughts
Jessicasmummy
01-11-16, 17:19
It's because there actually a lump there. It's normal totally think the worst is it not?
It's because there actually a lump there. It's normal totally think the worst is it not?
Normal if you have HA. The rest of us would be happy that the GP wasn't concerned and see the non urgent referral as a precaution.
As this is an on going worry for you despite repeated tests and reassurance from your GP I would think that the only way that you are going to put this to bed is to get proper help with your anxiety.
It's just the whole what if! I'm terrified because this is an actual lump this time. I do have fibrocystic breasts but I don't think this is what it is. I will be getting help for my anxiety at some point when I'm brave enough to talk about it.
Why do you need to be brave enough to talk about anxiety, what is frightening you?
Normal if you have HA. The rest of us would be happy that the GP wasn't concerned and see the non urgent referral as a precaution.
As this is an on going worry for you despite repeated tests and reassurance from your GP I would think that the only way that you are going to put this to bed is to get proper help with your anxiety.
Agreed... This has been an issue for two years (on here). It's time to treat the real problem and that's your irrational fear and anxiety over perfectly normal lumpy boobs.
Positive thoughts
Jessicasmummy
01-11-16, 20:17
I am ashamed to go to my gp about my anxiety. What do I say? How do I say it? I'll just cry and dhow myself up. The lump I have is a proper lump this time which is making me extremely even more anxious. I know If my gp was the least bit worried I'd be at the breast clinic asap but I keep thinking she doesn't know what it is and it could be something sinister. I've read stuff about misdiagnosis and it's freaked me out
Why not print out a few of your threads about this and take them with you or if you have a smartphone, log onto the site and show him some of the threads as they say it all.
You say... "I'm having a problem and I need some help. Can I show you something?"
This way you won't have to speak about it. Just showing that you're discussing it on an anxiety website will say it all.
Positive thoughts
Sparkling_Fairy
01-11-16, 20:38
Why are you ashamed? When I talked to my friends about my anxiety I found out most of them were suffering with it, or had suffered with it. It's so common these days!
And it's not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of trying to stay too strong for too long.
Instead of going to my GP with every little thing, I went in and said: right, I'm suffering with some anxiety. What can we do about it?
GP's hear this all the time. And they don't always just prescribe meds. I told my GP I didn't want them and she helped me loads in other ways. It's better than always running to her with nothing. She will have figured out by now you have anxiety anyway. She'll only applaud you for tackling it.
Jessicasmummy
02-11-16, 12:51
I don't know I just feel so alone at the moment it's horrible. I am definitely going to make an appointment to see my gp about this as waiting so long for an appointment for breast clinic is sending me crazy with worry so hoping when I go she can reassure me and send me on for some help for my anxiety. Right now ive got it in my head I have breast cancer and will die soon and leave my husband and daughter. Its the worst feeling ever as I should be happy. My husband said to me yesterday I was only at the breast clinic 8 months ago so I should be reassured I'm OK
Sparkling_Fairy
02-11-16, 22:13
The problem is that you'll never be reassured unless you deal with your anxiety.
Genuinely the only thing I ever see you posting about is breast cancer worries. You obsessively feel your breasts and always discover something that scares you.
So you can go to the breast clinic every 2 months, and you still wouldn't be reassured.
You need to deal with your anxiety
Jessicasmummy
07-11-16, 11:14
Hi guys well I seen my gp again this morning. I totally broke down and she said she'll try and get me a quicker appointment at the breast clinic but may not get one as people who have queried cancer are seen urgently. She said it's definitely not cancer so I should be reassured right? Anyway I discussed my anxiety with her which I am so proud of as I've never properly spoke to anyone about it. She gave me setraline to take has anyone had this before? She also said that I should be reassured that I was seen in Feb at the breast clinic. I said as much as I trust her it's my anxiety that's making me worry
Well done for getting the hardest part out of the way! Hopefully your appointment will be quick but the doctor wouldn't wait if she thought it was something dodgy, so try to keep occupied until then, which I know will be very hard. But breast lumps are very common I know 3 people who have had them, two of which were my friends one in late teens one in early 20's.
I've neve taken sert but I'm sure others on here have and can give you some advice.
Jessicasmummy
07-11-16, 13:51
The thing thats taking over my life is constantly poking and prodding so I'm going to try my hardest to not do that. I think because the gp said it's definitely not that I do think I can trust her as she wouldn't say that if she had any doubts
Jessicasmummy
10-11-16, 18:35
I'm having a really bad day today. Can't stop worrying thinking I'm going to leave my daughter without a mum growing up. My appointment for the breadt clinic isn't for another 6 weeks I'm so scared
JM, I'm going to be really honest with you, in the hope that it helps you take a step back and think.
You have spoken about leaving your daughter. I remember a post of yours where your little girl was sitting on your lap, and leaned into you - you pushed her off because of "breast pain" - which was probably caused, or at least aggravated, by your constant poking and prodding. Can you see the problem with this? While you're fixating on this, and not putting all your energy and effort into getting sorted, this will continue. She will have an anxious and preoccupied mum, and I know you don't want that. Yes, you're having an awful day. Poking your breast will make it worse.
You've made a start by seeing your doc, push for therapy now, or do an online one x
To add to what Mercime is saying, and I've said this before....
You're worried about leaving your daughter. Your anxiety has already taken you away... Every minute you stay logged onto the forum, spend Googling and worrying is time taken away from her and your family not to mention yourself. As Mercime said, push for therapy and take your meds!
Positive thoughts
Jessicasmummy
12-11-16, 10:13
I'm having a better day today. I am going to look into therapy and speak to my gp about it when I'm back in a couple of weeks to let her know how I'm getting on with the meds. I appreciate what you both are saying. It's just very hard having anxiety and having these thoughts
I will second what the previous posters have said.
I grew up with a mother who had HA and it was truly a miserable experience.
She alternated between dying herself or trying to persuade doctors that we were dying.
Absolutely horrible and it made it hard for us to distinguish what was a real illness and what wasn't.
I am not saying this to be horrible but you really do owe it you yourself and your child to get to grips with the HA.
There is lots of free help available on line that you can start to do on your own.
I grew up with an anxious mother, who grew up with an anxious mother. And I am an anxious person myself. I'd like to echo everyone here and say the best thing you can do is get help for your anxiety. By doing so, you'll not only make yourself better, but you'll be role modelling positive behaviour for your daughter. She may never have to deal with anxiety in her own life, but if she does and she remembers how mom got some help and made herself better, that's a huge gift to her.
randomforeigner
12-11-16, 12:49
I grew up with a mother who had HA and it was truly a miserable experience.
She alternated between dying herself or trying to persuade doctors that we were dying.
Absolutely horrible and it made it hard for us to distinguish what was a real illness and what wasn't.
Now that you mention it, I suddenly recall I did too, my mum ultimately did die from her third heart attack when I was 16; most of her illnesses were real though, the real thing. She had thrombocytopenia, angina, asthma, chron's disease, food allergies, pet allergies, eczema, and had her spleen removed, and the gallbladder too I think. She was also a heavy smoker (Kent, mostly, and later Blend and even later Nicorette the chewing gum mixed into that lot). :wacko:
Jessicasmummy
13-11-16, 17:32
Having a better day today. Kept busy and had a really good day! My husband and myself are talking about trying for another child but not sure if we should wait until I've been seen at the breast clinic! I really do appreciate all everyone is saying it's just very hard to think rationally when your extremely anxious. I'm having a rational day thinking if the gp thought at all if there was anything to worry about I'd be referred urgently
I just wanted to reach out, I haven't read any of your older threads, but reading through this one, I totally understand how your feeling. :hugs: I'm dealing with breast issues myself and have been pretty much this entire year. I've never been one to worry over my breasts. Back in January I discovered 2 little dimples on the bottom of my left breast, I didn't panic but I was defiantly worried over them. I watched them for about a week then realized they were apart of a stretch mark. Not even a week later, I found a large dimpling by this time on my right breast. This one was not a stretch mark. Believe me I checked! I went to see a OB/GYN and she sent me for a mammogram/ultrasound. I had that 2 days later. Nothing seen, totally clear. You would think I'd be reassured right? NOPE! I went and saw a surgeon, 3 times. :blush: He told me, 3 times, that it was stretched skin from having kids and getting older (I'm 32). That still did not reassure me. I was panicked! Like you, I had read online (the BC forums mostly) about being misdiagnosed. I went back to the surgeon and begged him for a breast MRI. He agreed because I was so worried, not because he thought anything was wrong. I had the breast MRI at the end of April, 4 days later got the all clear, nothing seen. Boy I was RELIEVED!!! I felt amazing! :yahoo: That lasted a whole 7 weeks. At the middle of June I decided to do a breast exam, thought I felt something and became obsessed with it. I felt my breast SO much I became very bruised and sore. I should add, this was the same breast as the dimpling. Anyway, a week later I had figured out that what I thought I was feeling wasn't anything by regular breast tissue so I calmed down. A couple days later, I just happen to scratch underneath my arm off on the side of my breast and felt this pretty large lump. There was no mistaken that this was a lump and nothing I've ever felt before. It felt like a very movable lump about the size of a dime or my thumb nail and felt like a rubber ball. I went into sheer panic! I went to my GP about a week later, she couldn't feel it because it kept hiding and running off. Going by my description and the large bruise I had on my breast she assumed it was a hematoma or a fatty lump and sent me on my way. It had only been 9 weeks since my MRI so she was sure it was nothing. I couldn't let it go, so back to the surgeon I went. He also couldn't feel it because it kept hiding so he sent me for a mammogram/ultrasound. This was at the end of July. The radiologist couldn't seen anything except fluid and said it was a breast contusion (bruising) and wanted me to follow up in 3-6 months. So back to the surgeon I went, he set me up for my 3 month follow up, which I just had this past Thursday. This time they could see what I'm feeling. The fluid had dissipated but they could see the lump. The radiologist said it appears benign but since its solid he is sending me for a biopsy. I see my surgeon on Thursday to set it up. I'm completely terrified and cannot believe I have to do this. After all the tests and things I've done I'm here. I'm so scared! I just wanted to let you know, that you're not alone. I know how you feel and its totally terrifying. I'm like you, I'm afraid to talk about my anxiety to my GP. Mainly because I don't want to go on meds. I do plan on, if I get benign results, I plan on getting back into church regularly, get myself in shape and seek therapy. If you want to talk any more feel free to PM me. Sorry for the long winded story. :bighug1:
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