Fears, had blood tests, breast cancer on mind

[sammyj]

HelloI am new here but am really clutching on straws now trying to keep myself sane.I am at work and want to burst into tears. I lost my grandfather in January who deteriorated rapidly because of cancer. It was the first time cancer ever affected our family that directly. I kind of crawled into a whole and I spent a month signed off work and on special leave.My husband made me go for blood tests that I had asked the doctor about, he said this was a step in helping me. I would tremble at the thought I was dying too. (i still feel this way)I had the blood tests and they came back as no further action. Following this I had a massive panic attack at work and freaked out. I went back to my doctor and she checked my heart and discussed my blood tests. She just just said that I had loads of tests. Im not quite sure exactly what for as they were routine tests but there were loads of results on her screen. I did ask about cancer and she said there are certain markers used in blood testing that can indicate cancer. I am assuming this was done in my tests.But if cancer was in the system, would some abnormality show up?i amterrified of breast cancer at the moment. I think I feel things and then am not sure, my doctor has said if I want I can go back and she will go through a breast exam.I am just scared and wondering if I should draw trust my bloods? This is taking over my life now and I feel sick, feel I am on the edge of a breakdown and just want to run out of the office now.

[sammyj]

anyone got an advice? or have you been to the doctor for a breast exam?

[justbananas]

i have been to regular docs as well as breast specialists for exams because i have all sorts of lumps and bumps in my boobs. they always end up being normal, hormonal, or fibroadenemas. i just always get them checked but i try not to get all worried about it. fortunately it's something you can check, the key is to just get routine exams, and check yourself once a month in the shower.

[xfilme]

Tumour markers can show up in blood tests but had these been noticed on a routine blood test they would have called you back in immediately. more than likely they just sent you for a full blood count and the usual such as liver, kidney thyroid etc. If they all came back normal and you are showing no signs of illness then it is very unlikely they would send you for checks to see if you had cancer as you would be at low risk, especially seeing as it is not a common trend in your family. the fact the results came back normal is reassuring. i should imagine you are in the same position as me. my health anxiety started as a result of my mum dying of cancer last year. more than likely your problems are soley anxiety related. seeing someone close die can often make you feel VERY mortal and need to protect your own body. i would suggest it might be worth you trying a bereavement counsellor as a next step as it is more likely psychological that physical.... unless of course it was extreme coincidence, which im sure you will agree is very unlikely. Try if you can not to go down the route of paranoia as we in the health anxiety forum are desperate to get out :P relax. you are just afraid from seeing someone close to you pass in a traumatic way.... keep in touch with us and we will try and help you x

[Summer74]

Hi Sammyj,

Sorry to hear about your grandfather.
I was in a similar position about a year ago. I had pains and "lumps" in my breast and I became convinced I had breast cancer, spending hours just bawling my eyes out because I thought I was dying! To cut a long story short, I eventually went to my GP for a breast exam, and she explained what the "lumps" were (hormonal etc.). This put my mind at ease, and I've since noticed that the bumps come and go with my menstrual cycle. Maybe a breast exam would help you as well?