I have a lump in my leg I’m terrified thinking it’s cancer

I’m 22, Male. I have this hard lump in the middle of my left leg, it’s near enough central to my shin. The lump sits on top of my shin bone, it’s hard and painless, It moves slightly up and down and a little to the left. I’ve been feeling it a lot lately and it feels like it’s  connected to the left side of my shin bone and that it maybe goes under from there. The lump has been there for a good couple of years now. It’s hard to narrow down exactly but I’d say around 5-6 years. For a little while now I’ve started getting pain in my leg, not from the actual lump (that’s still solid and painless), but sometimes around it, or a pain that goes up my leg. My aunt died of cancer 2 weeks ago and I’ve been terrified ever since. I keep googling it and I’m getting very scary results. I’ve also been getting this terrifing thought of it being cancer and spreading throughout my body. I have this pain on the left side of my back under my shoulder and I keep linking it to the lump. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I’v been in this zombie like state for the past couple of weeks. 

  • Hi Gus4597,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. It's naural to feel a little concerned whenever you notice something unusual. I'm sorry to hear about your aunt - it's likely that this experience has magnified your feelings but try not to link the two. Similarly, it is unlikely that the other pain you mentioned is connected.

    It's best to stay away from Google as this often brings up worst case scenarios and it's also not specific to you.

    If you're worried, the best thing is to visit your GP who will be able to advise appropriately.

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Gus.

    This will nag at you, and you will continue to worry until you get it checked out.  Clearly, it's not going away.  I suggest you phone your GP this morning and get an appointment. 

    This probably isn't cancer (most lumps are harmless), but you know you really don't want to take a chance.

  • Hi Gus. I'm 21 and am in a similar position. You had any news about what it is?