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Should I cancel the ultrasound and "Pathology test"?

Peaches_
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Today I convinced my GP to refer me for an ultrasound (she also referred me for pathology tests w/o my knowledge. I only knew when I checked summary of appointment online). Now I feel guilty as now  I'm doubting that it could be serious and I just wasted these doctors time and going to the appointment would waste their time too. Perhaps the tiredness and body aches are psychosomatic and I could be a hypochondriac. The lump I was worried about is about 2.5cm and grown to that size in about 5-8 months (I'm not exactly sure about the exact timeframe). I first suspected a cyst, then I was worried about cancer and didnt sleep properly for days from worrying. Now I think it's probably just that. My parents and the GPs I went to were under the impression that my lump is a sebaceous cyst and were reluctant to refer me.Probably only did so to soothe my nerves. The lump now has a very small but visible "head" If I squeeze at an angle. No fluid oozed out and only a small top portion of the lump is "soft" the rest is very firm. I just feel so guilty since people wait ages for the NHS and I may have been referred since I'm 16 so they felt more swayed by my demands. 

I'm sorry for the long rant. I don't really have anyone to express my thoughts to and I feel overwhelming guilty and all this hassle I caused to my GP could be nothing.

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    The lump is real. No one thinks you're wasting anyone's time - except you.  The NHS is a right, not a privilege, and you're entitled to treatment. 

    Around the year 2000, when I was aged in my 40s, I had a couple of lumps in my arm. One was reasonably soft and appeared to be sebaceous cyst. The other was hard and about the size of 10p coin. 

    I was sent to hospital where both lumps were removed under local anaesthetic by a really pleasant young surgeon. We chatted during the whole of the operation, which took about 30 minutes, followed by a cup of tea and a biscuit.  A week or so later I received a letter to say both were harmless. 

    At no time did anyone even hint that I shouldn't be there and I was wasting everyone's time.  

    The surgeon did a neat job. The lumps never grew back and the scars have long faded. And I'm glad I had it done, because the lumps weren't going to go away on their own. 

    So put these thoughts out or your mind. 

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    Hi Peaches

    Telemando has said it all. You are important, your health is important. You are not wasting anybody's time. The only way to be sure if your lump is a cyst is to keep your appointments. Remember the doctors are the experts in their field. Your GP was right to refer you and you would only become more stressed with worrying if you left it. Don't worry about you being referred because you are only 16 as anybody of any age should get a referral if necessary.

    Hopefully it will be a cyst and then at least you can relax! I hope you are taking somebody with you? 

    Best wishes and let us know how you get on.

    C x

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Harvell

    Thanks (to both). I have taken your advice and not cancelled the appointments. I'm not taking anyone with me. I'd rather go on my own.  I was just worried and I often self doubt. 

    On a different note, yesterday I tried squeezing the lump so that I could convince myself it's a cyst since cysts are fluid filled but I was met with an aching pain shooting to down my thigh. Is this normal for cysts? It worrying me quite a bit.

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    Hi Peaches,

    Welcome to our community. In answer to your question. Yes, you should definitely keep your appointments for ultrasound and pathology tests. The doctors are there to rule out cancer as much as to diagnose it.

    At 16 you are young to have cancer, but it is always better to rule it out if you find anything out of the ordinary.

    I sincerely hope that your GP and parents are correct and that the lump is a sebaceous cyst. As you have already discovered, squeezing these only makes them sorer, so do your best to leave it alone until you get it tested.

    Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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