I keep thinking I have cancer

I’m 22, Male. For the past 5-6 years I’ve had this hard painless lump on my shin bone on my left leg, it moves slightly up and down and slightly to the left (my left). Also for the past 7 days I’ve had pains in my stomach, I really eaten in since I’ve had the pains and I’m extremely worried since I’ve been googling my symptoms. I went to the walk in center 2 days ago in a panic, I waited over a hour and all I got to see was a young nurse. She felt the lump on my shin and said to her it feels like a cyst, but also that if I was worried I should go see my GP instead. For some reason my didn’t mention my stomach pains either. Yesterday o went to a different walk in center because i found out they had a doctor in, so I go in and I see the doctor, and again it’s a young guy who looks no more than 30. He feels my lump, but unless the nurse he gave it a good feel this times. He says it possibly is just a cyst or just some other fatty tissue. He didn’t look worried or anything just saying if I’m worried I should see my GP about getting it scanned. I told him about my stomach pains and he just felt my stomach and under my jaw for some reason. He barely asked about my system and just puts it down to acid reflux and sends me on my way. My mum keeps telling me it’s just stomach flu, but to me it feels like something is really wrong. For the past 7 days I’ve barely eaten, lost a little bit of weight, not passing stool that much and when I do it’s not much and it’s weak. Yesterday I woke up with stomach pain and had diarrhoea. The pain is hard to describe, it’s kinda mild, persistent, I can feel it more when I’m laying down, it feels like it’s kinda my whole stomach, but sometimes on my left upper side and right too. Any advice would mean the world as I’m losing my mind for the past 2 weeks. 

  • Hello Gus, 

    I'm really sorry to hear that you're struggling with your health at the moment. You've done the right thing in seeking some medical advice however as both the nurse and Dr at the 2 walk in centres have advised the best person to see about your lump would be the GP who will, if necessary, be able to refer you. 

    You mention in this post, and in your post last week, how anxious you've been and it's likely this that's the cause of your stomach issues. This is something that you need to speak to your GP about who will be able to help with managing your anxiety. 

    I hope that you're able to make an appointment with your GP and get things resolved. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

  • Thank you Jenn. I’ve been speaking with my mum for the last hour over the phone and she keeps telling me my stomach pains are probably just down to stress/anxiety. I’ve been googling every chance I get too which is only making everything worse. I live on my own and spend most of my nights on my own and being left alone with my own thoughts are really messing with me. Even today I was walking and felt itchy over my body. I stopped to google and self diagnosed myself with pancreatic cancer which I know is just a crazy thing to do(even though I do have the all the symptoms except yellow eyes), so I’m sure I just need to relax and not think about it too much. I’ve found speaking with my mum and sister over the last couple of days have helped massively.