Hi,

I hope you're doing well?

I went to my GP today for an appointment after finding a lump in my breast. It's quite sizable and the area has been very painful, which I initially put down to hormonal fluctuations until I found the lump. She said it was very clear that I had a lump, she was also concerned because my auntie died of breast cancer this year, as well as my mother having Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma twice in both breasts. She thinks given my age it's possibly benign but has referred me because she doesn't want to risk anything given my family history. Notably I am also on the combined contraceptive pill, although this is used only to regulate my periods and stop heavy bleeding and not as a contraceptive (I'm gay). I have tried asking a Doctor before if there would be any suitable alternatives but they must have misunderstood my request because they only advised me on other forms of contraceptive....

I'm feeling quite worried about the potential for cancer, I've been down this pathway before with suspected throat cancer last year, but through this I find it strange that even with symptoms there seems to be an 'over the age of 30' cap on urgency. I'm waiting on a non urgent referral (which the Doctor wasn't able to tell me how long it would be) because I'm less than 30 years old, which I understand age increases your risk, but it seems strange what with cancer on the rise in younger people. I lost one of my best friends 2 and a half years ago to cancer, and they were only 20. It's just a little frustrating, but of course very thankful that the Doctor took me seriously and that we have the NHS.