Hi everyone
I visited my dr 3 months ago as I had an aching pain in my left underarm and sore ribs on the same side. She thought I had strained a muscle and gave me anti-inflammatories.
A few weeks later I noticed a soft lump on the side of my breast, which I thought felt like a lymph node so I went back again. She felt the lump and said it was a cyst and nothing to worry about. I really felt like I was wasting her time, especially when she said “do you think now that you know what it is, you will be reassured.” I told her that the aching in my underarm/ sore ribs was no better so she sent me for a blood test.
I had a full blood count which came back normal, surely if there was any other issues that would have shown something? The underarm is still no better but I don’t see any benefit of going back to the dr again after the bloods came back normal.
Clearly, as I am on this forum I am worried about breast cancer. Am I safe to be reassured by the normal blood test or is that not conclusive.
Thanks in advance x
Hi mumbo79
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums. I’m sorry to read that you are having a pretty tough time at the moment. I’m sure the users of this site will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime it might help to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Hi mumbo79
im so sorry that you’re worried, I wish I could reassure you but I can’t. A blood test won’t show whether your lump is anything sinister I’m afraid, the only way this can be determined is by mammogram, ultrasound, MRI and biopsy (you won’t necessarily need all of them), your doctor should have referred you to the breast clinic, this is standard for all breast lumps in the UK. Please don’t be fobbed off, if you’re concerned you need to insist on a referral x
Hi Mumbo79, I had a dx for BC on the 6th March,I had bloods done that day they came back slightly high.I was sent for a lung ,liver ,bone scan and then an MRI scan they have all come back clear thank goodness.For your own peace of mind you must go back and get this checked out as blood tests alone don’t give the full picture.take care meggy x
Agree with what’s been said above. A ‘normal’ blood test will not determine whether a breast lump is malignant or not.
Without wishing to alarm you… my GP thought I had a cyst but referred me to the breast clinic anyway. It was a multifocal invasive malignant mass.
Obviously it’s entirely up to you whether you follow this up or not. If you want further investigations, is there a more receptive GP at your practice who you could see?
All the best.
I agree with everything above. I would not delay any more. Your GP is not an expert in breast cancer, and blood tests cannot determine if you have blood cancer or not. Please go back to your GP (a different one if possible) and insist on a referal to the breast clinic. Don’t be fobbed off. Better safe than sorry. xxx
Thank you for all your replies.
I have booked an appointment to go back to the doctors and have chosen a different gp. Unfortunately the earliest I could get was 3 weeks time but at least it is booked.
I do feel like a bit of a hypochondriac, as I’m only 34 and I know it is unlikely to be anything serious. I don’t have an explanation for the constant aching though so it does play on my mind. At least if I get referred it will give me peace of mind.
Thanks again x