So sick and stressed with worry

I am in such a terrible state with worry and stress. I examine my breasts constantly because I have severe health anxiety but over Christmas I was actually feeling a little better and not checking my breasts as often. However I stumbled across a post on Instagram from a girl who is only 23 and has stage 4 breast cancer that has spread and she wasn't given the right tests by her gp so now she is in this situation. I am 25 and have been told by my gp I have naturally lumpy breast and I can feel them because I am so slim. However 2 days ago after seeing that Instagram post I examined my breasts and armpits and found a small smooth movable lump in my left armpit. I can't even explain how I felt and how I am feeling now, I'm terrified.

I went to the doctors yesterday and the doctor said it doesn't worry her atall and it feels like a node. I automatically asked for a breast scan and she was reluctant, however she referred me and said I could be waiting weeks. My brain is in over drive and I can't help but think what if the doctor is making a mistake like the girl from instagrams doctor? I can't stop touching and prodding both my armpits trying to find the same lump in my right armpit just for a tiny bit of reassurance however it is only in my left armpit. It is about the size of a baked bean. I had an ultrasound in July 2021 which was clear, just normal breast tissue. However because this is in my armpit I am thinking all kinds. I first felt this lump in October and went to a different doctor who said it's normal tissue, however the doctor I seen 2 days ago is saying it feels like a node? I don't know if the lump has stayed since October or if it has reoccurred?

I am desperate to be seen, I can't sleep or eat. I had covid from New Year's Eve until last week and I still have a cough but why would only 1 lymph node be swollen? I also have pain in the same armpit on and off. I am seeing cancer stories everywhere without even looking for them? It sounds stupid but I keep thinking what if it is a sign? Can someone please help me I am so stressed and find it hard to cope with the worry of it. Sorry for such a long story. Thankyou xx

Parents
  • The odds are very strongly against your doctor being mistaken. Yeah, mistakes do happen sometimes, and when they do, we tend to hear about them, but we don't hear about the vast majority of cases when a doctor thought everything was fine and it really was. The fact that there is one person somewhere in the world that had a doctor make a mistake does not mean your doctor has. And you have had two doctors say it feels normal. I would guess it would be extremely unlikely that both would be mistaken.

    I also suspect the reason you are seeing cancer stories is because it is on your mind. Those stories were probably around at all times but you are noticing them now because of the coincidence of seeing them when you are worried about cancer.

     

Reply
  • The odds are very strongly against your doctor being mistaken. Yeah, mistakes do happen sometimes, and when they do, we tend to hear about them, but we don't hear about the vast majority of cases when a doctor thought everything was fine and it really was. The fact that there is one person somewhere in the world that had a doctor make a mistake does not mean your doctor has. And you have had two doctors say it feels normal. I would guess it would be extremely unlikely that both would be mistaken.

    I also suspect the reason you are seeing cancer stories is because it is on your mind. Those stories were probably around at all times but you are noticing them now because of the coincidence of seeing them when you are worried about cancer.

     

Children
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