Hello, any advice and comments will be glady received.
I’m 22 years old and have a family history of breast cancer. When I was 18, I went to a breast care clinic to get some lumps in my breast looked at and was told not to worry (they didn’t do tests, just felt them).
2 weeks ago I was checking my breasts and have found a lump in my other breast which I don’t recognise. I want to get it checked to be on the safe side etc but the doctors I am now signed up to doesn’t have any female doctors.
I know it probably sounds silly but I would much rather see a female as I will feel more comfortable. Is it possible to see a practice nurse instead?
Hi fairy07
You should be able to see your Practice Nurse for a check but she will want your GP give a 2nd opinion if she isn’t sure about anything. You can have “lumpy breasts” depending on where you are in relation to your periods and so it is better to routinely check them just after a period. BUT if you can feel a lump now, go now. It is much better than sitting at home worrying.
Good luck
hexy
Hi yes you should be able to see the practice nurse,my daughter is 20yrs old and about 2 months after my diagnosis she though she felt a lump and saw the practice nurse who did have a good check but couldnt feel anything abnormal she said was just lumpy breasts and to go back if it felt bigger which it hasnt, seems to have dissapeared.Get yourself an appointment and get it checked out,hope everythings ok.Do get back and let us know how you got on. julie x
My GP offered to get the receptionist in to act as a chaperone. I didn’t want another person in the room! It was bad enough with just one. But PLEASE do get it checked out. It is worth some embaressment just to get some peace of mind.
Don’t be embarrassed! I went to my male GP who called in a female receptionist just to be in the room. More for his protection than mine, I think. But honestly they have seen it all before so just DO IT!
Thanks all for your comments. I’m going up the doctors to make an appointment. While i’m there i’m going to ask about getting the previous lumps I found when I was 18 biopsed and removed if possible. Now that i’m older I really want to know what they are, and I think I have the right to know. Also I worry that something might grow underneath them and I won’t be able to notice.
If you ever have a baby, you will get so used to the examinations, that you will not care any more. The only time I find it a bit embarrassing is when the doctor looks the same age as my son - more and more often, the older I get!
I phoned up this morning to make an appointment and to my surprise I was asked if I could come in straight away - I think it’s because I told them what it was regarding so they got me in asap. This made me feel better in itself as I didn’t have to worry about my appointment.
When I got there I was surprisingly not very nervous. I think this is because I decided to speak to my mum about it last night which made me feel better (she was diagnosed with cancer 10 years ago and so I was reluctant to tell her as I don’t want her to worry).
When he examined me he asked a nurse to come in and be present. It was over before I knew it. He has decided to refer me to the breast clinic more for reassurance than anything else I think. I feel sooooo much better now and am never going to hesitate again in the future - a few minutes of embarrassement is hardly worth risking your life for.
Thank you all so much for your comments, you supported me greatly. I will keep in touch and tell you how my examination goes.
Hi
Congratulations for overcoming your emotions. It is hard at first, but as others have said, if you have children and get older, you learn to accept these things as part of staying healthy.
Good luck for the future
hexy
Got a call from the hospital today. My appointment is next Wednesday at 10.10 a.m. I can’t believe how soon it is. Last time I had to wait 8 weeks when in Lancaster. Fingers crossed x
Hello all! I went to the breast clinic and after an exam and ultrasound I was told that the lump was nothing to worry about! I’m so relieved and glad that I went.
Great news Fairy. By coincidence I too had an ultrasound on the remaining breast today, and it was good news. So I am holding tight to your cyber hand!