Convinced I have cancer

Hi all, im a 24 year old girl and I'm feeling really lonely at the moment so I'm hoping someone will listen. I have very bad anxiety over cancer due to my grandad being diagnosed & passing away with cancer last year. 

 

a few years ago I went to the doctors over a lump in my groin, it was a fairly big lump and I went to three different doctors for their opinions, all who said it was just a cyst and it was not sinister. I also had swollen lymph nodes in my neck & they said this was normal too. Fast forward a few years and I realise they are still prominent. I've also discovered a hard lump behind my ear, a big lump under my left jaw (that can only be felt if I really prod) & a lump on the other side of my groin. I have a under active thyroid and don't know if this can cause it. I'm going to the doctors tomorrow but I am CONVINCED I have cancer. I cry every night and my partner is struggling to understand the anxiety I have; so he basically tells me to stop being silly. I know it's silly to self diagnose but I can't see any other reason for them being so many lumps on me for so many years. 

  • Hi, hope you're feeling better than you were? I've always been quite "lumpy¡!!" My glands were always up from being a teenager. I've always suffered from tonsillitis and throat problems, but sometimes I have swollen glands, wee lumps for no apparent reason. Because your Grandad died with a horrible disease you're obviously still grieving and still in shock. It's such a trauma. I think you sound very run down and your body is trying to fight off  just normal infection. Try to be kind to yourself. Grief is a terrible thing that can completely take over I wear you out.  don't think you're imagining your symptoms, they are real, but as you've had them for so long it's unlikely to be anything sinister. Go back to your GP and tell him your fears. You need looking after and you need cancer ruling out, otherwise you're not going to feel well. I really feel for you and hope that you can get some peace. X

  • Hi Emma!

    I was also in the same situation. My neck had many enlarged lymph nodes which I myself was very worried about. I couldn't sleep or even eat because I feared I had cancer. I was also terrified of going to the Dr's incase it was bad news. I somehow encouraged myself to make an appointment with my gp and he referred me to get an ultrasound done. I also went to see a haematologist to check my bloods. Everything was fine and the Dr's assured me there was nothing to worry about as sometimes lymph nodes can stay enlarged after having an illness or infection. So please don't stress yourself out. I've had many large lymph nodes for many years, it happens. If it was cancer, you'd be feeling very unwell and would most likely be having many other symptoms with it. Give your gp a visit. Hopefully you'll be reassured very soon and you can go on with your life :) Take care and best of luck xx

  • Thanks so much for replying. I'm going to the gp tomorrow just to get it checked! My grandad passing away definitely caused a trigger in me, it was such a shock and cancer has never been a part of my life before until recently. I will let you know how I get on, it may be that I do have normal lymph nodes that like to swell, I just noticed one of my tonsils have white spots on it so I'm possibly run down, but I'll see how I get on tomorrow, thanks so much for replying xxxx

  • Thanks so much for replying, I've got an appointment at my gp tomorrow thankfully as I'll drive myself insane if not. That reassures me, and I've also been before for similar and been told it was normal so I'm hoping it's the same scenario again! Fingers crossed and thank you for your message it is so appreciated, especially as I'm feeling so lonely xxxx

  • The white spots definitely sound like tonsillitis. (I always suffered with this during exams, trauma's and just everyday stresses) so it wouldn't surprise me if your body is reacting to the stress you've gone through in the last year. Well done for making the appointment. Will be thinking of you. Yes please let us know, you're not on your phone. X

  • Hi Emma, how did you get on in the end was everything ok?