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Doctor Referred for ultrasound.. kinda scared

Ben1567
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Hi all,

 

Sorry if this is gonna be a long story but I want to include as much detail as I can.  
 

A couple weeks ago I discovered a lump on the top of my right testicle. The lump feels small and smooth, and it's actually located on the epididymis rather than on the surface of the testicle. So I booked an appointment with a doctor, I couldn't see my usual GP. He examined it, and couldn't find it, I also couldn't find it typically. He said it didn't meet any red flags and that a cancer lump wouldn't disappear and re appear at will. 
 

So, following that I made an appointment with my actual GP for a second opinion. I was able to find the lump at home prior to my appointment. But soon as I walked in, he couldn't find it either, and neither could I. He reassured me also that lumps that appear and disappear for future reference shouldn't be a concern. 
 

He referred me for an ultrasound just to be sure. But I guess I'm scared that the ultrasound will find something. I can still find the lump sometimes, not always.i keep imagining being diagnosed with cancer and it spreading all over my body and dying. 
 

not sure what to think...

 

ben

 

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    Hi Ben, it's difficult not to fear the worst but you need to stay positive and wait for the final results.  So many people come on the forum convinced they have cancer having googled, obsessed over what they read, worry themselves sick and nine times out of tten its nothing.  So stay upbeat, keep busy and let us know all is going well.  Good luck, Carol 

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    Does anyone else have anything to say? Would be really appreciated 

  • Offline in reply to Ben1567

    So Ben, I now see you've been posting since April about the same "problem".  Most of us on this forum either have cancer or live with a partner who is battling cancer so I do know that my advice was sensible and helpful.  

  • Offline in reply to Dor06

    Hi,

     

    One I never said your reply wasn't useful. And two, the posts back from April were for a different unrelated lump. This one only appeared recently. 
     

    The one from April was treated back in April. 

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    Hi Ben. 

    This situation might be called the doctor's pre-test dilemma.

    A patient presents to the doctor with a condition that the doctor dismisses.  However, the patient is unsatisfied so finds either another doctor or returns to the same doctor.  The doctor still doesn't think it's serious, but clearly the patient is worried, so to set the patient's mind at rest, the doctor refers the patient for more intense tests.

    But instead of reassuring the patient, the patient is more convinced than ever that there's something wrong; why else would the doctor refer him/her for these tests?

    Instead of setting the patient's mind at rest, the referral is now driving the patient mad with worry. So did the doctor do the right thing in referring the patient for the tests? 

    You're now in this situation. Perhaps you should take consolation in knowing that two doctors don't think you've got cancer, and this test is simply to set your mind at rest.  Also take consolation in knowing that lumps are common, but testicular cancer is rare.  The odds are very much on your side.

     

  • Offline in reply to telemando

    hi thanks for your reply. I agree with you on that situation. I've had hypochondria for years so it's a situation I'm familiar with. And my GP even more so. 
     

    What annoys me is that I think I would have been less worried if he had of just examined it and said it's fine. Other doctors have done that in the past and it was fine with me. 
     

    so I think the scan made me feel more worried 

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