Worried about inflammatory breast cancer

Hi all, I apologise in advance for my rambling. 

I'm 32 and have severe health anxiety. My biggest fear is cancer. 4 years ago I found a lump in my breast, practically begged the doctor to refer me to the breast clinic and thankfully everything was fine. 

Fast forward to now, I have completely convinced myself I have inflammatory breast cancer (with alot of help from Dr google)

I have a slight pink patch on the top of my breast :neutral: didn't think nothing of it as being big busted and fair skinned and having psoriasis I get pink/red patches on my body all the time. Both breasts are a bit sore but that's normal for me and has been for years, I have days with very tender breast and days pain free. My breast is not swollen at all, it isn't hard, no dipping, no problems with my nipple. It's not rough, itchy or warm.... Feels exactly the same as the rest of my skin. 

This patch comes and goes and I can remember it coming and going as far back as about 12 months maybe more. I wasn't worried at all but then I made the stupid mistake of going on Google :(

I have spent the past two days on Google looking at photos, reading everything I could on IBC and I've terrified myself. My husband has had my breasts thrust at himultiple times a day with me asking him if it's still there, how bad it is etc. My poor sister have also had photos sent to them. It's extremely npticible to me but they all say its only barely visable. 

I'm overweight (thanks to comfort eating) and I'm also a smoker.... Which is quite ironic for someone who is terrified of cancer. 

With everything going on with coronavirus I can't get a doctors appointment and have tried ringing with no success, I will try again Tuesday. 

My mind is whirring, Im having panic attacks and have convinced myself I'm going to die. I'm sorry for how dramatic and silly I must seem, I'm frustrated with myself but as much as I try I can't get myself to relax and be positive. 

I don't know why I posted on here as I know no one can tell me everything will be OK and I fully feel like I'm wasting everyone's time. 

I need help with my anxiety I know, it's making me ill :( I want to see my children grow up, I don't want to die. 

I don't know what I expect from posting if I'm honest. 

Once again I'm so sorry for wasting your time

From one very anxious, scared mum

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  • Welcome and don't worry about rambling.

    Health anxiety is really hard.

    Glad breast lump 4 years ago was fine. PLEASE avoid Dr Google, from personal information he has needlessley scared me witless for no reasons when I seee the NHS. 

    Do contact your GP and tell them all you have told us. 

    At a guess, it could just be some rash, but GP will help you.

    I find that ringing first thing on a morning helps. I had a biopsy done on mouth, i was scared to go to GP mid march, due to small lump, I used to smoke, vape and now misuse lozeenges and gum which are also carcinogenic. I rang 111 who contacted my GP and advised me also to contact them, they got  me in quick. 

    GP thought it was ulcer but said to come back 2 weeks later if lump still there which it was, but corona restricted visits to surgery, so that same Dr phoned and got me a biopsy booking which I had done on Monday.

    Sorry you are having panic attacks are convinced yu're going to die. Don't feel dramatic and silly.

    If surgery engaged on phone its ok to ring 111 and let them know you cant get through, Drs still want to speak to people despite corona.

    You're not wasting everyone's time. 

    Anxiety is a terrible thing, we imagine worse case scenarios. Maybe GP can refer you for non drug anxiety treatment, there is CBT online which helps anxiety and other relaxation methods, that is the only thing I would use google for, positive help with anxiety.

    You're not wasting my time.

    x

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  • Thank you so much for your reply. 

    I've made a promise to myself to not go on Google and also not to check myself multiple times a day. 

    I've tried Cbt and it didn't work very well. I've joined an online community for anxiety where everyone is lovely. 

    I will be phoning the GP Monday, I don't want to but I know I have to. Its like being stuck between a rock and a hard place, if I don't speak to my GP I will worry my self sick and never get any answers but when I speak to them I find it hard to believe there is nothing wrong and il still worry. I keep telling myself well if it is the worst case scenario then worrying is not gonna change that. 

    I'm just going to take on day at a time and try everything I can to relax. 

    Once again thank you so much for your reply 

  • @Anxious.mummy

    Good idea, making promise re: dr google

    Sorry CBT didn't work very well. Glad you joined an online community for anxiety where everyone is lovely. 

    I know it's Monday today, but it's bank holidays so you could phone tomorrow.

    It's good that while you don't want to, you know you have to. Hopefully it will help you stop stuck between a rock and a hard place, if you don't speak to my GP you will worry yourself sick, and never get any answers.

    They will refer you if they suspect anyting, I only had a tiny match head sized mouth lump and I got referred, even though doc thought it was initially only an ulcer and even when he did refer me, he sounded posiitve and said he was only referring me as guidance says cancer cant totally be ruled out.

    Taking one day at a time and try everything you can to relax is a great idea.