Visible lymph nodes - GP says its because I'm slim

Hi all, I've been a bit of a lurker here for a while, but this is my first post. Firstly, I'm aware I've developed some anxiety about cancer over recent years. My mum had cancer twice, breast cancer then lung cancer. The lung cancer spread to her brain and she died from that, 8 weeks after I became a mum. My grandad and granny also died from cancer, and I don't have any other family, apart from my husband and daughter. So cancer feels sort of inevitable, but also terrifying given that my daughter is so young (she's only 2).

 

Anyway, over the last 18 months I have lost a lot if weight, about 60lbs in total. It's been intentional, I wanted to be healthy for my daughter. I'm now about a size 8, so quite slim, but I wouldn't say thin. I have lots of wobbly bits still! I've been the same weight for the past 5 months, only fluctuating a little bit. But over the past couple of months I've noticed more and more lymph nodes. They started in my groin, but I ignored them for a long time. The numbered of visible and palpable nodes on my groin has increased. There are now 3-4 on each side, varying in size. None huge, but the bigger ones are about marble sized, and clearly visible.

I saw the GP last week, and she also found a few nodes on both sided if my neck. Only 1 just about visible, if you know to look for it. She did lots of bloods and nentioned the possibility of lymphoma. 

Fast forward to yesterday, still waiting on blood results, I get out of the shower and see a lump under my arm on the side of my chest. Again, about marble sized. So I called the GP surgery this morning. The GP I saw last week isn't available until Thursday, but the on-call GP basically said there's nothing for me to worry about ax my blood tests were apparently fine, and it's normal to see lymph nodes when you're thin.

 

Is this true? Do thin people normally have visible lymph nodes in all these places? Is a size 8 (BMI 22 as I'm short) really considered thin? Do I need a second opinion, or should normal bloods rule out lymphoma?

  • Hello there

    I am one of the nurses here and I am sorry to hear about the family members you have lost to cancer and your own concerns about getting it.

    I'm afraid this forum isn't in a position to be able to diagnose people or say what the matter is. However symptoms can be caused by lots of things and most won't be the result of a cancer. Lymph nodes commonly swell due to a current or recent infection and settle down over time.

    I'm pleased to hear you have seen your GP about the symptoms and changes you have noticed in your body and they have run some blood tests.

    It is true to say it is often easier to feel lymph nodes in slimmer people and after losing so much weight they may appear more noticeable to you.

    It is good to hear the blood tests have come back normal but if you need further reassurance I would suggest speaking to the GP you first saw about this next week.

    Your doctor is in the best position to assess you and if they have suspicions about these lumps they may wish to send you for an ultrasound to check them out further, so speak with them and see what they say.

    As I say try not to worry too much if you can but let the doctor know about any further changes or symptoms you may notice.

    All the best

    Naomi

  • Hi Naomi,

    Thank you for your reply. I know you can't give medical advice. I felt a bit dismissed by the GP at first, but she's taken me more seriously now. I saw her last week because I noticed even more nodes. She think one of the 'nodes' under my arm isn't actually a lymph node, she thinks it's a breast lump. So she's referred me to the breast clinic. I'm so nervous, especially as mom had breast cancer. Since then I've also found another lump on my collarbone. I'm so scared, not really for me but for my daughter. I know it'll probably turn out fine, but surely there has to be something causing this, and from what I've read, none of the potential causes are very promising. I'm not sure what response I'm asking for really, but I just needed to tell someone how scared I am.