"Not taken seriously"

I found a lump in my left breast around 2 months ago after having pain in the breast for over 6 months prior. I visited my GP who referred me to the breast clinic. On my first appointment I have absolutely no complaints, they were very thorough on the ultrasound and told me the lump was very small and benign.

As the weeks went on the pain was getting worse so I went back to my GP to ask if I could have the lump removed and was referred back. I have never been so embarrassed and felt as though they just thought I was overreacting.

When I first went in the doctor questioned why I was back and that the ultrasound showed the lump to be benign and very small. He emphasised the ‘very small’ as if I was stupid. I said that I have a history of health anxiety and as they did not biopsy the lump and they don’t actually know what it is can they remove it to get concrete evidence it is nothing to worry about.

The doctor was very rude and did not take my fears seriously. When I asked what they thought it was he mentioned three things which are all totally different. I just do not understand why they won’t look further into this. I said I feel the lump has grown and he told me to undress so he could have a look, I was not passed a gown like other people and had to sit there with everything out. I would have liked a gown. He had a feel and said he doesn’t think it has grown but again did not offer any further tests. After pushing and pushing he finally agreed that I can see the head surgeon of the clinic but ‘she will probably not remove it either’.

When I asked about investigating what is causing the pain he said I will ‘never get rid of the pain and will have to live with it’ and gave me a leaflet on breast pain. This pain is so bad I was in a&e having a chest X-ray for a suspected blood clot over Christmas yet he was saying this is something I just have to accept as normal! I was made to feel like I was overreacting and like the whole thing was in my head. I understand they don’t like to cut people open for nothing but surely that should be my decision to make? Even if they just did a biopsy to confirm what the lump actually is I would be happy, it is the not knowing that is worrying me.

He then said ‘well you will have a scar’ to which I replied that is fine for my peace of mind, to which he replied ‘well what if the cut gets infected?!!’ What!?

Anyway this has really knocked me and made me not want to come back and the fact that this hasn’t been investigated just shows how the NHS can regularly miss things. I’m a very timid and shy person so having to fight for further investigation was really upsetting. These doctors need to take a class in sympathy and be a bit more understanding to someone’s fears. Telling me to accept pain and that their word is gospel is how there are now so many stories about people being forced to go private to get a proper diagnosis! I don’t deny they do great work in this clinic but I was not treated with dignity or respect.