Hello and thank you for getting in touch,

I am sorry to hear about the symptoms you are experiencing and that you feel your concerns have not been taken seriously. It can be very upsetting when you are worried about a symptom, particularly when there is a history of cancer in your family, and you do not feel reassured by the explanations you have been given.

Although bruising or black and blue lumps can happen for many reasons and are not always a sign of cancer, it is understandable that you would want to be confident that the cause has been properly assessed.

You mentioned that you do not want to return to the doctor. Many people feel reluctant to go back if they have not felt listened to previously. However, if the area is persisting, changing, worsening, or if you continue to feel worried about it, it is important that you get further medical advice. If possible, you could consider making an appointment with a different GP at the practice, or another healthcare professional there, if you feel more comfortable doing so. Some people find it helpful to let the practice know in advance that they would like a second opinion because they remain worried about a symptom.

You may also find it helpful to explain how the family history of cancer is affecting your concerns. While having relatives with cancer does not necessarily mean that you are at a significantly increased risk yourself, it can understandably make new symptoms feel more worrying. Whether a family history affects someone's cancer risk depends on factors such as the types of cancer in the family, the ages at diagnosis, and how relatives are related to each other. Most cancers are not caused by an inherited gene change.

I appreciate that this may not provide the certainty or reassurance you are looking for. However, unfortunately, as we cannot assess symptoms or make a diagnosis, the best way to get an explanation for the black and blue area and discuss any ongoing concerns is through a healthcare professional who can examine you. I hope you can find someone you feel comfortable speaking with and that you can get the reassurance and support you need.

Jemma