Hi. I’m 18 years old and I have had a lump behind my left ear on my neck for a year or longer. Obviously I l know lymph nodes are located there, but this lump has been swollen for months and used to be quite small, although painless and hard.

Yesterday I realised not only has the lump gotten bigger (it’s visible now), if I press down on it it hurts. It’s still hard and immoveable. I also discovered a small, slightly softer lump on the right side of my neck, much lower down towards the middle.

I’m going to see a doctor tomorrow, but I’m worried sick that I have cancer, especially some sort of lymphoma. I am praying it’s an infection or something that can be removed, but because it’s been here for so long, I am afraid it’s not and it’s something worse. I also feel horrible for delaying going to a doctor so long, but I have anxiety about visiting them which is why.

Can someone advise me on whether I’m overreacting or if there is a very real possibility this is cancer? If i’ve left it for a year and not seen a doctor, does this mean I could be in a later stage and might die? I have no other symptoms to indicate an infection/cancer, just these lumps... but I am so anxious and panicky. I’m only 18 and I want to get my university degrees and do a PHD and live my life. I don’t want to die or have a scary condition like cancer, I feel like I’m still growing up.