I think that in general, you don’t have to worry at all, and simply go to a doctor and undergo some standard medical examinations. There’s many innocent reasons to have swollen lymph nodes. And then there’s the less innocent.
On the other hand, do not underestimate the power of a sign, and certainly do not postpone. Postponing a doctor’s visit can cost you life when it comes to swollen lymph nodes.
I have a cousin who noticed a swollen lymph node just weeks ago. And she was worried. Deeply worried in fact. There was no family breast cancer incidence whatsoever, but still she almost freaked out.
The reason was that a young colleague of hers had felt a swollen lymph node about five years ago in the very same place. And that turned out to be a sing of breast cancer. Spread to the lymph nodes. And further metastasized to the bones: stage 4 breast cancer, which meant a death sentence.
Her colleague died last year, outlasting the cancer for a mere four years. Her body and mind were broken. Almost nothing was left in the end.
My cousin attended the funeral of her young colleague, and the grief was great.
So when she found a small lump in the same place, she was afraid.
And unfortunately it really was breast cancer, but in an early stage, so that her chances are much better than in case of her colleague.
But still, the therapy is hard, and my cousin is suffering a great deal as we speak, living from day to day, and having to quit her teaching job for now. She has young kids. She has a husband. She has a brother, a mother and a father.
And the psychological fear is great, and the fear will be there for a long time, even when she will be declared “cured” (whatever that means).
In every step and at every stage, the thought of her colleague’s suffering and terrible demise is too fresh to let go, and it really makes the journey much harder, knowing how bleak, short and empty your future can be if you are standing in the wrong place when the winds of bad luck are coming your way.
[I was once married to her colleague, and I can tell you I understand my cousin every which way.]
So don’t panic, but also do not procrastinate.
Go to the doctor, and get this thing sorted out.
Small signs such as swollen lymph nodes, suddenly inward nipples or changed skin near the breasts can be innocent.
But you never know.
