Should i be worried?

hi, im a 26 year old slim female, non smoker and do not use drugs. Over the past few months i have been experiencing what i consider to be symptoms of breast cancer. I first noticed around 5 months ago that my right breast was bigger than usual. I know that its normal to have one bigger than the other but this was a sudden change for me. What was normally a barely noticable size difference between the 2 breasts was now quite a noticable difference. i measured each breast. my left was 7inches from side to side and my right was 8 inches. Anyway after visiting my doctor she just told me it was ‘probably related to periods’ and that i should wait 2 weeks and if theres no change or if it has gotten bigger than i should go back and she would refer me to the breast clinic. at this time i had no other symptoms so i wasnt too worried. About a month or two after, my right breast was starting to feel uncomfortable in the side, kind of like the feeling when your bra gets a bit tight and feels like its poking in your side boob?  However, this feeling wasnt relieved after taking my bra off and has gotten more achey. Over the last few months my breast has gotten bigger it is now 9 inches whilst my left breast is still 7 inches! I can also feel a sort of burning pain around my nipple and an ache in my upper arm. I have been to see my doctor 3 times since but i keep getting brushed off with things like ‘youre too young for breast cancer’ (which REALLY annoys me as you can never be ‘too young!!’) and ‘its normal for one breast to be bigger’ (yes, i know that but it hasnt always been this much bigger and its grown even more!!!). Another thing they said was because theres  no actuall lump then i shouldnt worry. Im no expert but even i know that breast cancer can happen without an actual lump! e.g. inflammatory breast cancer!. I also keep getting tiny flakes of dry skin on my right nipple. I have now discovered a lump which i can feel when lying down leaning slightly on my side with my arm extended, I cant stop worrying about it being something sinister but my doctors wont listen! I know my body and i know when somethings not right. I cant even change docs because thats the only one in my catchment area. i cant afford to go private either. I keep getting bruises as well which come and go but when one goes theres almost a new bruise instantly! mostly on my legs but also occasionaly on my knuckle in the middle of my finger and on my wrist bone! I get throbbing bone aches which was strange when i first noticed because i didnt think you could actually get bone ache. I have pains in my right shoulder blade and light headedness. I should also point out that i have a genetics appt 16th june as there is numerous family members who are BRCA1+ and whom also have had breast cancer.  I dont know what to do :frowning: i have photos but dont know if i am able to upload them?

 

 

 

Hi

 

I’m so sorry that you have this worry a d feel your gp is not taking it seriously.

 

How was your genetics appointment arranged? If it was through your gp then they should also take your symptoms seriously.

 

I would go back again and insist on a referral, if you get no joy then a complaint to the practice manager would be the next step.

 

Hope you get this resolved.

 

Mary

 

 

Hello Sruscoe88

Welcome to the forums.

As well as the support you will receive here you may also like 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

June, moderator

I’m assuming you’re in the UK and have access to the NHS.

 

You have the right to be referred to a specialist.  I suggest you go back to your GP and politely refuse to leave his/her consulting room until he/she arranges a referral to a breast clinic.

 

nhs.uk/chq/pages/1094.aspx?categoryid=68&subcategoryid=153

 

Alternatively, your geneticist may be able to cross-refer you to a breast clinic if you explain your concerns and the symptoms.

 

The Breast Cancer Care Helpline is great, as is MacMillan’s.  Might be worth ringing to get some empowering advice on how to deal with your GP.

Thank you for the replies. I shall be paying my doctor a visit in the morning. Yes, I was referred to the genetics through my GP so I assumed he would be at least willing to take my symptoms seriously. I shall let you all know how I get on tomorrow :slight_smile: xx