PLEASE HELP! Advice desperate - 4cm Hard Lymph node in neck

I've had a hard lump in the back of my neck since around 2019, it's immovable like a rock and I'm not much of a worrier so didn't get it checked as soon as I probably should have. It's never hurt but I get aching from that area frequently and the last couple of weeks I've been getting shooting pains in my neck next to the lump and feel the sensation like it's pressing on its surroundings. I've just had an ultrasound and they said it's a 4cm x 4cm swollen lymph node. For the last year I've suddenly been exhausted and struggle to make it through the afternoon without a nap which is very out of character but I put it down to having hypothyroidism. I've been struggling to sleep at night as I'm getting night sweats to where my clothing is wet but my bed sheets only a little bit so not sure if that can be classed as night sweats. I've not lost weight though and if anything I've piled it on! I've got bloods this week then a gp appointment the week after, I really wanted advice if i should try to push for a biopsy to be done if the doctor tries to fob it off as I imagine some do? Im not a worrier but I would like to be safe than sorry. My dads not long had cancer and both my grandparents have died from it and a couple of aunties have had breast cancer so it seems to run in our family quite a bit. Can you even push for a biopsy or are you just turned away? Please help I'm not sure what to do! Thank you in advance!!

  • Hello there

    I am sorry to hear about the lump you have and the symptoms you are experiencing and can understand what a worry this must be for you. 

    You have done the right thing by seeing your GP and it seems they are taking it very seriously by arranging some appropriate tests.

    When cancer is in the family, people often assume that this greatly increases their risk of developing it, but this isn't always the case. Although the genes we inherit may affect our risk, this may not be by very much. No one is risk free and the risk of cancer increases for all of us as we get older.

    Sit tight for now and try not to over think things until you have all the information.

    Depending on what the ultrasound report says as well as the blood test results I am sure the doctor will request more tests ( including biopsy if necessary) or perhaps refer you to a specialist to find out more.

    I hope everything will be okay for you. Take things one step at a time but do let your doctor know if anything changes.

    Get back in touch if needed

    Best wishes

    Naomi