Hi anxious to post but here goes, I’m worried about breast cancer.
I have pain my left breast & a large lump. Like really big like ping-pong ball sized. Now From google it appears those 2 symptomps aren’t generally associated with cancer, but something just doesnt feel right. The pain is in the lower outer quarter of my boob (if the boob were a clock where 12 is the top & go round in a clockwise motion so for the left side 3 would be the outer side of boob near left arm & for right boob it would be the inner side close to chest) so it’s the left boob. The pain is ONLY located between the 3 & 6 area (i hope that makes sense). Like its really painful to even the smalled touch even brushing it to put on clothes etc i’ll wince, or say reaching over my body with my left arm sothe upper inner part ends up touching my boob but no actual pressure is applied, that also hurt. That’s where the lump is located.
I have really small breasts so I’ve always found checking them hard as I can literally feel my ribs through them.
I’m just concerned. The lump is definetely bigger over the past month. I try to keep a pattern to monitor if it’s cyclic changes but haven’t been able to determine anything. Online reading suggests cyclic pain would affect both breasts & usually the upper parts. Even before this ball feeling there been a lingering dull aching in that area of the left breast & it feels swollen? bloated? heavier? (not sure the right word here) than the right, but like just that area. There doesnt appear to be any noticable changes on the outside of the breast the pain very much feels internal though to look at my left boob seems bigger but I dont know if that’s my imagination knowing the pain & lump is there.
I’ve been to my doctor in the past when i’ve had concerns but nothing like this. I’m early 30s so get the usual “oh nothing to worry about at your age” I don’t have kids so not breast feeding or have ever breast fed.
Not sure what else to add but feel free to ask any questions.
I’m at the stage where quite honestly I think I’d want a mammogram just to be sure - I’m a huge worrier & there’s always stories of the doctor didnt find anything & it turns out to be something. Not sure if there are other tests they could do instead to identify it.
If I went private for the screen & it turned out to be cancerous would I be able to go back to the NHS for treatment or would I have to stay private? I’m temped to do that as tired of nhs gps dismissing me, I know my body & something isn’t right.
thanks for reading.
