Going to the doctor over something small

Winterlong

I want to get one of those full medicals. The one day job where they test and scan and prod everything.
But it costs 500 or so thru a work scheme. Sorely tempted but it is a whack of cash and I am not sure I would want any bad news...

Spanish Eyes

Winterlong wrote: »

I want to get one of those full medicals. The one day job where they test and scan and prod everything.
But it costs 500 or so thru a work scheme. Sorely tempted but it is a whack of cash and I am not sure I would want any bad news...

If you don't want any bad news why bother?

There is a lot of evidence out there that these medical screening things are useless, and can cause a lot of issues for people.

There are rumblings out there that Breast cancer screening is causing unnecessary trouble aswell.

Unless there is something obviously niggling or wrong, forget it.

Pugzilla

Feck all of the newer generations of GPs do minor surgeries. Most have done no surgical rotations beyond being an intern.

Mellor

The Raptor wrote: »

I got this removed. I did have to pay but I'm hoping it's the end of it. The doctor who removed it said it could be a wart. So they themselves aren't sure what it is. It doesn't help that there are types of skin cancer that can look like a new spot or wart. I hope they are right and it's just a skin tag or wart.

Are they going to biopsy too what it is?
If it was/wasn't cancer it would be good to know.

The Raptor

Mellor wrote: »

Are they going to biopsy too what it is?
If it was/wasn't cancer it would be good to know.

Yes, they send everything off to check for abnormal cells. I won't know for a few weeks.

_Whimsical_

Winterlong wrote: »

I want to get one of those full medicals. The one day job where they test and scan and prod everything.
But it costs 500 or so thru a work scheme. Sorely tempted but it is a whack of cash and I am not sure I would want any bad news...

Don't waste your money, they don't actually do anything your gp can't do our can't arrange to send you for if it's at all indicated. If you look at what those medicals involve is very often just routine bloods, blood pressure,reflex testing and lung function using just a small device you blow into that you could buy in your own chemist for a fiver. Your gp can do all that and it's unlikely to reveal something like early stage cancers for example anyway . Very few actually do any scans and even if they do another Dr may not choose to act on results. Most of us have a few lumps and bumps on the inside that are individual to ourselves just as we do in the outside. They aren't necessarily trouble. You may just find there's something there that's probably fine but that no one will take a chance on putting you through surgery for unless you develop symptoms in the future in a scan and not the reassurance you're looking for.

_Jamie_

Mellor wrote: »

Because he has looked at it and it's not a mole. His professional advice is that it's not necessary. Do you still think it's a mole?

I was fobbed off by a doctor a four years ago over a bodily change that concerned me that showed very classic symptoms and I now have cancer (and did then of course). Screening would have picked it up had he sent me for further tests. Even as recently as two years ago, a doctor tried to dissuade me from paying for further tests due to the cost despite rapidly declining health. Doctors can get it wrong. If in doubt, one should always get a second opinion.

On the mole thing, doctors can indeed get it wrong and think the appearance doesn't look cancerous when it is. I've read a lot of different cancer blogs and of the melanoma ones I've read, this happened to a number of them. And if the doctor isn't a specialist, it's even more likely. Melanoma is a stealthy cancer which can reach the lymphatic system when the mole outwardly is still small. Money spent getting a mole checked out is money well spent.

_Jamie_

Winterlong wrote: »

I want to get one of those full medicals. The one day job where they test and scan and prod everything.

Whilst in the post above I've advocated getting things of concern checked out, it's not recommended that people do scans for no reason. Every time you have one, you are exposed to radition which studies have shown can actually significantly increase your risk of getting cancer. It's not unusual for people to beat one cancer only to get another one due to the radiation they were exposed to not just from the treatment but also from the scans they received.

The Raptor

_Jamie_ wrote: »

I was fobbed off by a doctor a four years ago over a bodily change that concerned me that showed very classic symptoms and I now have cancer (and did then of course). Screening would have picked it up had he sent me for further tests. Even as recently as two years ago, a doctor tried to dissuade me from paying for further tests due to the cost despite rapidly declining health. Doctors can get it wrong. If in doubt, one should always get a second opinion.

That is awful. I'm sorry to hear that.

This is what got to me. I was told it was a skin tag but bigger than normal. Then another doctor told me it could be a wart. So they aren't sure what it is. One look at my skin and I am covered in moles which I'm already at risk at getting skin cancer. Which is treatable if its caught early. But they're happy to let me wait and get worse. Doctor tried to turn me off quoting me stupid prices. It was expensive but nowhere near €800. It was worth every cent just to get it off me and hopefully i won't have anything else to worry about.

whoopsadoodles

The Raptor wrote: »

That is awful. I'm sorry to hear that.

This is what got to me. I was told it was a skin tag but bigger than normal. Then another doctor told me it could be a wart. So they aren't sure what it is. One look at my skin and I am covered in moles which I'm already at risk at getting skin cancer. Which is treatable if its caught early. But they're happy to let me wait and get worse. Doctor tried to turn me off quoting me stupid prices. It was expensive but nowhere near €800. It was worth every cent just to get it off me and hopefully i won't have anything else to worry about.

If you've a lot of moles, you could consider having mole mapping done.

There's one particular consultant, based in Donnybrook, who's considered the best/most thorough for this. It can be a slightly intrusive "procedure" but I've heard of some who would have you quickly looked over and in and out in 15 minutes so if you're booking something like this, as how long it takes. The longer the better.

The Raptor

whoopsadoodles wrote: »

If you've a lot of moles, you could consider having mole mapping done.

There's one particular consultant, based in Donnybrook, who's considered the best/most thorough for this. It can be a slightly intrusive "procedure" but I've heard of some who would have you quickly looked over and in and out in 15 minutes so if you're booking something like this, as how long it takes. The longer the better.

Thanks, I'm actually looking into getting this done as well. To be on the safe side.

failinis

_Jamie_ wrote: »

If in doubt, one should always get a second opinion.

Just pushing that point - I could have been saved trouble (not as serious as cancer, sorry to hear it was missed in early stages Jamie).

Mole mapping sounds very good. I only have 2 moles, one on my back and one on my left toe so it is easy for me to keep an eye - but I hear people say to keep an eye on freckles. Surely thats pretty impossible to watch all of the little bastards. I guess its to watch for any changes.