Paranoia even after ultrasound

Pip93 9 days ago

1 reply
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Hi,

I wanted some advice because I'm not sure what to do. Two months ago, I thought I could feel a slight lump in my armpit (more of a fatty bulge) so I went to the doctor who couldn't feel anything. I checked with a second doctor who wasn't sure but sent me for an ultrasound just to be on the safe side.

I had the ultrasound on both armpits two weeks ago, and they came back clear. The radiographer talked me through everything and showed me the images on screen, and he said that he thinks my armpits are just a little asymmetrical but nothing to worry about. However, I can still feel this fatty lump at the edge of my armpit - it's really subtle but I'm sure it's there. My breasts are fine and have no worrying symptoms - the first doctor did an examination too and was happy. It's just fattiness in my armpit, like it's slightly too thick (my weight is very low, so I don't know if it's just that I can feel muscle). I feel really foolish going back to the doctor again, but I'm so stressed about it that I'm not able to get in the shower because I don't dare wash myself and feel it.

I'm really struggling with health anxiety at the moment. I'm caring for my mother who has stage 4 melanoma, and my 22-year-old cousin has just been diagnosed with bone cancer out of the blue. I'm 30 and my grandmother had breast cancer at my age, so it's already playing on my mind. I don't know if this is just my mind playing tricks on me, or if I should keep going back to the doctors if I'm not confident about my health.

Thank you for any advice in advance,

Pip

Paula L - Macmillan 8 days ago

Hi Pip93,

Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to our online community. My name is Paula and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

I can see that you have joined a few of our online forums. I hope that you are finding these helpful.

We are sorry to hear you and your family are going through such a difficult time right now. It is understandable that you are very body aware, considering everything that is happening within your family.

It is right to seek medical attention with any new worse or change in a symptom. It is also positive that you have been assessed by two doctors and referred for a more specialised test through Ultrasound and told that there was nothing found on the scan.

Fatty lumps called lipomas are fatty lumps that are not cancer and can appear anywhere that we have fat cells which are harmless but again important to get checked by a GP. Our lymph nodes are part of the body’s immune system too so a swollen lymph node in the arm pit can be a sign of a viral infection.

Health Anxiety is difficult, and you have so much happening right now, perhaps talking to your GP about how you are feeling may also help.

Anxiety UK are a charity that was developed to help anyone struggling with anxiety. They have some useful resources that can help you manage this including some useful online tools to assist you anytime you need them.

It is important to look after yourself too. Caring for someone often brings responsibilities that can place physical and emotional demands that means you may have a lot of different emotions. Getting the right support and having someone to talk to about how you feel can also help.

I hope that this helps.

Best wishes and take care,

Paula (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email or webchat.

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Paranoia even after ultrasound