Concerned but GP said not concerned about blood cancer “yet”

Worried you might have a blood cancer?
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Hi all I’m waning advice really, I’ve been in and out of the gp since January really. January I went in for what I suspected was a lump in my breast which I ended up sent for a scan and it turned out to be a lymph node that was raised. They didnt have concerns and it was left at that. I then went in for stomach pains and that was inconclusive. Then I got sent for a scan on what I thought was a lump on my jaw but by the time the scan was done the lump was gone, however the lady scanning me was concerned because all my lymph nodes were raised and asked if I had recently been unwell, which I hadn’t. It’s been a few months now and they’re still huge and I have more in my armpit, behind my ear etc as well as itchy skin, extreme fatigue, chest and lower back pain and dizziness/ weakness, & heartburn. I had a full blood count which came back with various abnormalities. My Serum C reactive protein was 17, my Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 18, white cell count 13.8, neutrophil count 8.65, monocyte 1.05, red cells normal.

They want to re do a blood test in a few weeks but I’m getting worse rather than better. Do I wait or do I ask for more tests? If so, what do I ask do? The gp said “we’re not concerned about blood cancer yet” but it wasn’t ruled out and all my symptoms seem to point that way?

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Hello @Emilyc

Welcome to our forum, and thank you for taking time to leave your post. Reaching out can be difficult so I’m really glad you feel confident to do so.

I’m so sorry to learn of your circumstance, and I can sense that it is a really worrying time for you.

Whist I cant relate to your condition directly I am a blood cancer patient and so I can understand why you feel the way you feel, as I found things very difficult to begin with.

If you feel comfortable you can speak confidentially with our support services team for information and support 0808 2080 888.

I do hope you let us know how you get on

Take good care of yourself

Mike.

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Good afternoon @Emilyc

Thank you for your post and welcome to our forum.

We are so sorry to hear that you are going through an understandably worrying time.

I can see that Mike has kindly provided you with some great advice.

To add to this, we would advise that any worries or concerns that your reiterate these to your GP. It may even be a good idea to express that you are worried about a blood cancer as they can then refer you for further tests. If you are feeling worse, we would advise you to call the GP and explain how you are feeling.

Some of your counts are a little raised, but this can be due to various reasons, including infection. Not everyone has symptoms when they’ve had an infection but this can show up in bloods for a few weeks after the infection has occurred. GP’s often leave a few weeks between blood tests to see if these counts are then heading back to a ‘normal range’. If you had previously had an infection, they would expect these to be going down at your next appointment and if they haven’t or have increased they may complete further tests to investigate.

Immune responses can cause these tests to be raised and this includes auto immune conditions, sensitivities, allergies, viruses, bacteria and cancers.

Reactive lymphnodes can also occur when lymphnodes remain raised after an illness or infection (even if it has not had symptoms at the time) and these can continue to go up and down for several weeks.

However, I think you have done all of the right things in getting checked out and would advise going back to your GP sooner than they have suggested given that you are feeling worse.

We have a page Blood cancer symptoms and signs | Blood Cancer UK which may be useful to read over as it also contains questions you may like to ask your GP.

These include:

  • Could this be blood cancer?

  • Do I need another blood test? What will it look for?

  • Do I need to have any other tests?

  • Will I need any scans?

  • Do you need me to give a urine sample?

  • Can I be referred for further tests on a fast track or urgent pathway?

  • How long will it take to get my results back?

If you would like to talk to one of our support nurses then please do not hesitate to get in touch on 0808 2080 888. We’re here to listen and help. But do keep your team/ GP updated on how you are feeling so that they can support you as best they can.

If you start to become more unwell we would advise going to A&E/ ringing 999.

Take care & warm wishes,

Emma (support services nurse)

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Thanks everyone. I went back to the gp and have been given a referral to haematology due to my lymph nodes being enlarged for around 3-4 months (possibly longer) I will keep you updated on what is said. I appreciate the advice. Thank you

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