Worried I may have cancer.

Hey first time posting. So recently I discovered a marble sized lump in my groin. It's completely painless, with no swelling or anything. I decided to get it checked out by my GP ( which happened today). I fully expecting her to say it was a cyst or something else harmless, but she told me that it is a swollen lymph node. That in her words is "quite big". She has referred me for blood tests and an ultrasound and explained the likely explanation is an infection. However I don't have nor have recently had any signs of an infection, in fact I don't have any other symptoms at all. I came home and did some googling ( yes, I'm fully aware of how stupid and pointless this is) but it seems that if a lymph node is swollen due to infection, then it would be painful, and mine isn't. In fact a painless swelling seems to be of more concern. I know this is all redundant, and nobody will know until I have the tests. She did check the other lymph nodes in my abdomen and armpit and they were fine, but yeah I was all shock up after leaving the surgery ( I think I drove through a red light), but until I get those tests results, my anxiety will be off the charts. Anyone else been through anything similar? 

  • Hello Rcjinx82, 

    I just wanted to welcome you to our forum. I hope you're feeling a bit better after - oh dear, driving through a red light but totally understandable if you were a bit shaken after your appointment. I hope you won't have to wait too long for your test results. I can imagine it must be a very stressful time for you while waiting to find out more. 

    I know it is really hard but try not to worry too much or anticipate what it might be. The best thing to do to avoid thinking too much about this is to keep busy and distracted if you can and avoid looking things up online. You are right, resorting to Dr Google never brings reassurance and we're all guilty of having done it! Waiting can be super stressful and there are some useful tips on this page on how to cope while waiting for important news. 

    I hope you will also hear from others here who have been through all this before and that they will be along soon to share their story with you. 

    Keeping everything crossed for you that everything turns out fine. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator