Scared of my breasts!

[Lily83]

Oh dear, I'm been fretting over my breasts since last summer after I found a lump which I visited three different GPs at the A&E in London and also said it looked like cysts because I had them in both breasts.

I also had a full check up exactly one year ago which included blood tests, x-ray, a mammogram, and a CT scan of my chest. All clear.

Lately, I'm been worrying about my breasts and it's really bothering me. I just don't like to look at them because I'm scared if I see something that might resemble breast cancer.

Again, I've been consulting with Dr. Google (my sworn enemy!) and all my paranoia is back

I have no cancer in my family, but then I read stories about how one person got it without any history, or another had a mammogram that missed her tumour.

I can't sleep properly now and keep looking at my breasts and checking.

You know this all started because I felt very ill last summer from a pollen allergy that gave me breathing difficulties (all gone) along with registering with a horrible GP, but now I'm in such a fragile state about my health. I've never had health anxiety before.

That and I'm now 34 and realising I'm getting older than I feel

The fact that one breast is bigger than the other scares me along with feeling a long lump in my left breast

[Leslie735]

I'm right there with you. My breasts seem to be my main HA area. I get one thing cleared and then it seems I find another area to worry about. I hate it. I'm actually seeing my doctor on Friday about 2 tiny lumps I found the other day. I'm so sick of it. :(

[Lily83]

I was examining (prodding) my left breast for two days straight and now it's on and off throbbing under my nipple. It's mild pain right under my nipple, but it keeps coming back on and off throughout the day. I'm scared :(

[Lily83]

My health anxiety started in July 2016 because of a severe allergy causing shortness of breath and chest tightness that took months to realise it was just an allergy.

Because of this health anxiety, I have had many tests that emit radiation and I'm so scared I've ruined myself

Here are my tests:

August 2016 - Chest Xray in the UK
November 2016 - 3D Mammogram, Chest X-Ray, Chest CT Scan, Dexa Bone Density Scan (all in one day) as part of a full package health checkup in South Korea
September 2017 - Chest Xray in Hong Kong
January 2018 - 3D Mammogram (getting results tomorrow) in South Korea

Right now I'm sooooo scared of Breast Cancer!

The reason is I feel like I'm at high risk because I have endometriosis, psoriasis (scalp), and fibrocystic dense breasts (I'm 34). AND because I have had these tests and now have lots of radiation in my chest area

Some doctors online are saying that now I'm at a higher risk because I had 2 mammograms before the age of 50 (as well as a chest CT scan)

And reading stories from other women who have no cancer in the family, living healthy lifestyles, and still getting the big C!

What have I done. I won't be having radiation testing anymore and will just stick to ultrasounds.

I'm scared about my results tomorrow and I am scared I've ruined myself now

[nomorepanic]

We have loads of posts about this -here is just one:

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=212425

You can search for the others

[Lily83]

I know I'm sorry for the repeated thread that others already posted about, but what's really scaring me is that I had a 3D mammogram, Chest X-Ray, and Chest CT Scan all in one day in the same area.

All these articles and youtube videos stating how corrupt the medical field is and that these tests damages my DNA cells. I can't sleep, I can't concentrate on my work, I don't want to go out with my friends, I'm so upset and scared.

[Fishmanpa]

From that thread...

Just during my treatment alone, I had enough radiation to burn the skin off my neck and turn my throat into a raw quivering mess rendering me unable to eat. Add to that a CT scan before each treatment (30 total - 5 days a week for 6 weeks) to aim the radiation. That's not counting all the x-rays, barium swallow tests, CT and PET scans prior and after or all the scans/tests since I was a teen.

There's no documented case that puts any of these tests as the prime cause for anyone's cancer. You won't find one.

Positive thoughts

[nomorepanic]

I have had more than one CT scan in a day and numerous other x-rays and CT scans over the years and nothing bad has happened.

I don't know anyone that has got cancer from radiation. You get more on a plane!

You really need to calm down - there is nothing you can do now about it anyway.

Good luck for tomorrow - you will be fine

[Lily83]

UPDATE:

My results was a 0.03cm water cyst on my breast ultrasound that is completely normal as it depends on the time of the cycle and will most likely disappear on its own.

And she also did an ultrasound on my thyroid which found a small mixed cyst on my thyroid gland, but said it looks benign and that I should get another ultrasound on my thyroid in 2 years time to check it again.

My 3D mammogram was fine except I have dense breasts, but at age 34 that is completely normal as I think she said 75% of women before menopause have dense breasts?

I'm still worried my health anxiety has ruined my health as I've had too many radiation tests done and I will not get anymore and only stick with Ultrasounds (and MRIs if I really need them).

[Lily83]

Ugh I'm so fed up worrying about my breasts!

I tried sleeping on my stomach for the first time in ages and each breast felt like there was a large painful lump under each nipple, with my left one feeling more painful.

I have already had a 3D mammogram in Nov 2016 AND earlier this month as well as a recent Ultrasound and the specialist checking himself both breasts.

The result was dense breasts as I'm 34 years old which is normal.

But I'm worrying he missed something.

My period finished 10 days ago.

Does anyone else feel if they lie on their stomach, hard lump under their nipples?

I consulted with Dr Google and read a forum where a few had clear mammos and ultrasounds, but pushed their doctors for more testing and found their lump was cancerous. What's that all about????

The specialist I saw has performed over 2000 breast surgeries and trained in both the US and South Korea. He is the Director of the department. But I'm still uncertain because of what others said online.

I can't stop crying. This health anxiety is really affecting my life as I can't focus on anything else.

It's always WHAT IF, WHAT IF, WHAT IF...I'm exhausted and now I've lost trust in doctors.