I’ve read a lot of your comments on what you’re all going through and i could really do with some of your advice.
I discovered a lump in my right breast about two months ago, it is approx an inch in diameter with some thickening around it and can be manipulated quite freely. I read that most lumps are nothing to worry about so didn’t quite know whether to bother my doctor with it? It doesn’t hurt or anything - and I can’t feel any others. Are there meant to be any other symptoms? I feel totally stupid and naive that I have no knowledge of the subject but maybe I’m just wanting to bury my head in the sand and deny it’s there!
What do you think I should do? I read that the stats are high and on my side really so I guess I shouldn’t worry too much - it’s just that I’m waiting on my life insurance policy to come through and I worry that if I get diagnosed with anything more serious then they won’t cover me or my premiums will be sky high! I think I need to have the policy running for at least a month before I can be covered on new illnesses etc. Do you think I’m pushing it too much to wait? With the figures being on my side then is it better to wait? Like I said, I’ve no pain or anything.
I’m sure you all think I’m mad to wait, but what if it IS something and I’ve not made sure I’ve made provisions for my family for the future - I couldn’t take the guilt on top of everything else - that you must understand surely? Even if it is something I know that it doesn’t mean I’m outta here! I know people recover but I just need that reassurance for my peace of mind. Does anyone know anything about the life insurance side of things?
Please go to your GP and get this lump checked out. As you say, the majority of lumps are harmless and so you are probably OK, but there is no way of telling without proper tests. Your GP should arrange a clinic appointment for you for a mammogram, ultrasound & fine needle biopsy. Then you will know for sure.
I’m sure your family would rather you were here for them, than dead but with life insurance. Sorry to be so blunt, but that’s how it is. If the worst happens, and you do have cancer, then the earlier it is found and treated, the better your prognosis.
Remember 9 out of 10 lumps are harmless - so more than likely you will get peace of mind plus the life insurance.
Oh how I wish I’d realised the lump I had in my left breast was in fact a breast. Story is that it was definitely there for quite a long time and as a result of me doing nothing it spread to my lymph node (one in total) but it was a big lump. If I had realised it was something suspect I would have done something about it immediately. A lot of lumps are nothing to worry about but some are and the sooner you find out what it is the better. I had no symptoms whatsover by the way. I don’t mean to scare you but I think that you should definitely pay a trip to your doctor.
I know I should, and I know you’re right… but is there anyone who’s had experience of this sort of thing with their insurance companies? Do I need to tell them about investigations, or just if I get diagnosed with anything? Would they take it from the initial date I see my doctor for referral, or from any sort of diagnosis date?
I realise that I would have peace of mind if I get it checked and find out it’s nothing - what I worry about is finding out its ‘something’ and then having to live with the guilt as well as the emotions of dealing with the situation.
It may sound lame, but I just need to find out more before I jump in and ring the doc.
Hi jo,
i appreciate your concern about your policy but would urge you to see your gp asap, the most likely outcome is that it will be benign and will therefore not affect your policy at all, but if does turn out to be malignant the sooner its sorted the better.
take care,
rivergirl.
That’s exactly what I suspected… and confirms my initial worry!
So what do you think would happen if I wait a couple of weeks for insurance… will it make that much difference? I’ve only just discovered the lump, and it seems that there is quite a timescale in going from referral to full diagnosis? I appreciate that time can be precious but I’m guessing lots of women have lumps undiscovered for a long time before they end up going through the process? The odds are on my side as far as it being benign… isn’t it worth waiting?
You’ve stated in your first post that you’ve already waited 2 months - whether your lump is benign or otherwise, you cannot afford to wait any longer just for the sake of insurance. I’m sure you realise that all of us here are undergoing a range of treatments and I’ve no doubt there are some who wish they’d been picked up earlier.
Life and health are more important than insurance any day. Please get this checked out asap and either put your mind at rest of begin whatever process you’re going to need.
There is not necessarily much of a timescale going from referral to diagnosis. I found my lump on a Friday evening, saw the GP on Monday, and was at the breast clinic the following day being told I had cancer. After surgery I found out that the cancer was grade 3 (most aggressive) and had already spread to my lymph nodes. You cannot imagine how relieved I am that I acted straight away.
When I claimed critical illness cover, one of the questions that my GP was asked by my insurer was how long had I had the symptoms before going to the GP - answer for me was no time as I found the lump and was at my GP in a flash…
I have been reading your posts jo. I know its hard but you got to look after yourself!!! Everything could turn out ok. Will be thinking about you
Kay xx
I have a different tale to tell about diagnosis as I had no palpable lump at my 3rd , 3 yrly mamo - had two mammos before, all clear. Was astounded to find I had a large spiculated mass , 2 cm invasive ductal with DCIS, stage and grade 2 with lymph node involvement. If I was you, I would wait out the time iuntil your insurance kicks in - you are not going to die in the meantime, and this could make a big difference to your eventual financial situation. Once you are diagnosed with bc, insurance will be horrendously expensive, if not impossible.
I got Crohn’s at age 24, now 63, and have never been able to get life or medical insurance, which is ridiculous really as Crohn’s,if treated properly, is not a terminal, life threatening illness like bc.
Travel insurance is a nightmare, whenever I can get it, at exorbitant cost, and then had some big problems with my travel insurance when I had haemorrhages abroad.
Just leave it… a few weeks or months isn’t going to make any difference to your ultimate prognosis or survival - once you disclose your fears to a doctor that will be on your record forever - believe me, I have been there and done it. You just can’t mess with insurance companies - even if you had a headache they will find their way through the small print to dismiss any claim.
You have to be in it to understand…
Take care,
Liz.
J …Please, please, please keep that doctor’s appointment, I’m sorry to disagree, but weeks and months CAN make a difference to what lies ahead for you. You MUST put your health first. Sarah xx
I’d wait until insurance starts. Looking at data it seems cancer takes around ten years to get to the point you can feel it. I found a lump and it took five months before it was removed - it was cancer, but the delay has made no difference to my prognosis. As soon as you get the papers confirming the insurance is in place, get a referral - it should come through within 2 weeks of the GP appt provided they refer you properly
Thanks for your kind words everyone - I will keep the doc apt for monday, it’s made now so decision done.
I’m sorry for your experience with the insurance Liz, I’d kept all this to myself about my worries over waiting for the insurance - I finally plucked up courage to tell my husband and in no uncertain terms did he say ‘stuff the insurance’!! (although not quite as politely as that!) After reading postings on this site I can appreciate now that time is precious and it needs to be checked as early as possible. I say ‘husband’ but we don’t actually get married until this June… at least if I can sort this now I can hopefully find out it’s nothing and carry on planning my wedding without this cloud over me.
I’m not going to tell my family or friends as they’re all full of wedding talk etc - if it turns out to be nothing then I’ve spared them the worry - I’m pleased I have my gorgeous man to come with me though, and equally pleased to have found you lot to urge me on!
There’s a man who truly loves you! Bet he couldn’t believe you have kept all this worry to yourself for so long, it will all be so muh better now that he is able to share all your concerns with you and there along side you! Good luck for Monday, hope this worrying is for nothing. Please do let us know how you get on. Whether it’s just wonderful stories about your wedding, or whether you need (hopefully not) to join us here, you will find lots of support. I am SO relieved you are keeping your doctor’s appointment, was really worried for you! Sarah x
He is the most wonderful man - only took me nearly 40 years to find him!! Can’t believe I’m finally getting married, never wanted to be married to my daughters dad, thought I only wanted to get married once, and it would be for life… with my gorgeous man I can see us growing old together - never been so happy. Even my daughter got married before me though! we laughed about that lol! Now she’s my matron of honour and I couldn’t be more proud.
lol! Now she’s my matron of honour and I couldn’t be more proud.