Islamic marriage advice and family advice

I’ve found a lump…

  • Worried women

Salam everyone,

I'm in dilemma. I have found a lump on my body (my left breast) but I am not sure if it's a lump. This is second week since I noticed it. I've booked myself an appointment with my GP.

The problem is I do not want to go to my GP because I do not want her to see nor touch that part of my body! To be honest I do not want anyone to see/touch that part of me. So what should I do?

I do not mind if they take scan of that part but I just don't want to show :'( please advice me as I do not know the procedure of this examination.

Secondly, if it happens to be a cancer (To Allah we belong and to HIM is our return) and when should I disclose this to my family? I personally I do not want to tell and worry them and I do not like attention on myself.

Thirdly, say if this gets cured, In'Shaa'Allah, do I have to say this to my potential husband (if and when someone proposes to me)? I think he has the right to know but this may scare him off (haha - sorry I know it's not funny but it could be possible)

However, if it is not cure-able then do I have to be hospitalised? I would rather go somewhere far from my people and help orphans and women. I think i know my family won't agree with this but I always prefer to do things to please Allah swt.

Please give me advice before my doctor's appointment 🙂
Thank you and Jazak'Allah. May Allah swt bless you good in this life and best of best in the Hereafter.

Sr. Breeze.


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10 Responses »

  1. Assalaamualaikam

    I'm sorry to hear you're going through this - it can be so scary to find a lump. It's really important that your GP meets with you, so I would strongly encourage you to go see her.

    A lot of sisters would feel uncomfortable about showing parts of our awrah so you are not alone in this, but your doctor is female and will inshaAllah understand another woman's discomfort and be supportive. Generally, the procedure at your GP appointment would be along the lines of: a discussion about the lump (where it is, when you found it, is it sore, has anything else happened) and then a quick (maybe 2 minutes) examination where she will look at the area and maybe see if she can feel the lump - she may also want to check the rest of the breast to make sure there aren't any other lumps. This examination would be in private (just the two of you, with a chaperone/support for you if you want one) and it wouldn't involve any medical equipment.

    The GP might then want to refer you to a specialist for a scan, and again you can request a female doctor (potentially even requesting a Muslim female doctor) and a chaperone if you prefer.

    Islamically, it is permissible for us to seek medical attention when we are concerned about being unwell, so having medical assessments isn't a problem.

    It's important not to jump ahead and assume a diagnosis. There are lots of possible reasons why a breast lump may be present. For example, some women have naturally 'lumpy' breast tissue so weight or hormonal changes can make this feel more obvious; some women can develop swellings due to hormonal changes (such as those of the menstrual cycle); there can be fatty lumps; swellings due to bruising or injury to the tissues or mild infection...

    At the moment, you and your doctor need more information from an examination and a scan to work out what could be causing this lump. Then, the two of you can discuss whether any treatment is required and if so, what needs to be done.

    Remember to make lots of dua, and trust in Allah's Mercy and Love.

    Midnightmoon
    IslamicAnswers.com editor

  2. I admired ur positive attitude.. may Allah swt cure ur problems, hope its not the way u think... and u should hav a detailed check up.. if there is any problem, u should tell to ur parents, nd wen u go to hospital go with a trusty frnd.. may Allah swt bless u..

  3. Sister,

    Please don't stress too much about things until you visit your GP. If your doctor feels it necessary, she will have you go for a mammogram. Your GP is going to have to see and feel your breast sister in order to assess you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that and it is the only way she can best assess your needs. There are several things that might cause a lymph node to swell...it can be viral, illness, side effects from certain medications and a host of other things. God willing your lump will be nothing more than a swollen gland.

    Salam

  4. That's same happen with my mother and it is normal you should do ultrasound, mamography to detect it sometime it's like water, air in the breast . Dr suggest you than again ultrasound after one week . It's appear in every pArt of body it's normal. But donnot it it go some time it's cancer . So please check it out. And donnot tell your husband . Men

  5. asalaamu alaikum,

    i know its scary, but dont be afraid. do exactly what your GP says, and if you see its getting better then no need to tell your family.

    if you get cured insha'allah, then you dont need to mention about this to your future spouse.

    if its not curable its a possibilty you will be hospitalized depending how serious it is. but you may be asked to come on a weekly basis. if its cancer they will do radiotheraphy/chemotheraphy etc. before we jump to conclusions see what the doc says. since its in its early stage, chances of cure is high.

    dont lose hope, sis i will pray for you to get cured insha'allah..

    ma salama

  6. Dear Sr. Breeze,

    Firstly, I am not Muslim as I live in Australia and are Western.

    Finding lumps is common these days no matter where you may live. It can very scary indeed!!

    Not all lumps are cancer!! There are so many different things it could be - fatty lumps, cysts & yes, Cancer sometimes. So please get it checked out by your Doctor - whether male or female.

    Your doctor has probably seen more lumps in their lifetime than you have prayed to Allah!! No, sweetheart, I am NOT trying to be funny, either!!

    You didn't say where the lump is - but I can take a guess at that. Tell the doctor when you get into the room that you are very anxious about showing that part of your body to them. Doctors are very understanding and will take note of your anxiety.

    They may want to take a biopsy of the tissue and send it to radiology to determine exactly 'what' the lump is first. If it does turn out to be Cancer - there are so many different ways of treating it nowadays than 30 years ago!!

    They may not want to do anything with it either - you don't say how long you have had the lump so I'm guessing not very long.

    Surgery is 'not' the first option if Cancer is found - just remember that!! They may try Radiation first to see if they can 'reduce' the lump first. The sooner you get it diagnosed, the sooner you can get treatment, if necessary.

    I have a very good friend here who has just gone through Radiation to 'reduce' a lump in her breast. It has reduced it to the point where it has just about disappeared altogether!!! She has an extremely positive outcome for her - and she's in her 60's.

    I'm sure you have a wonderful family who can give you full support as well. So, please tell your Mother or Sister - don't go through this by yourself!! Take someone with you to the doctor(not into the room, though) too, for more support!! You do need some kind of support - no matter what the diagnosis is!!

    It this turns out to be nothing, then you don't need to tell your future husband - but that will be your choice!! There are so many options these days for treatment and the outcome is so much higher now!!

    For your sake I wish you all the best!! You seem like such a lovely girl and I'm positive everything will turn out 'alright' for you!!

    May God/Allah bless you!!

    Carol

  7. as-salaam-u-alaikum-wr-wb sister, I hope you are well.

    I think you ought to go and visit a female doctor.. It could be a muscle pull or just extra breast tissue that's causing the pain.. and extra breast tissue is just something that goes away itself.. there's no such treatment.. Which is highly likely and possible. The GP is most likely going to refer you to the breast clinic where they would carry out a scan on you.. nothing scary at all. That will help them determine what the underlying problem is.

    And informing your family of what exactly? you're just going for a general checkup it's nothing majorly worrying. So i guess you could tell. I would say tell someone so you get some moral support through the process.

    I think you should not delay the whole checkup as if it is a problem it could grow so do go in.

    All of the other problems or possible scenarios that you've stated is something you need not to stress about. Address this issue first.

  8. Assalamoalaikum Sister ,

    May Allah cure this and give you healthy and long life ameen .
    Please show it to your lady doctor and take your mom with you .

    Allah hafiz

  9. Salam dear midnightmoon, A brother, Najah, Sara, Ahmed, Carol, , Nazo and Logical.
    Sorry that I am not replying to you individually. Thank you soo muchhh for your replies and encouraged me to go and see my GP.

    Reluctantly I did go to my GP! And my GP carried out the examination exactly how some of you said to me.

    My GP said that the lump is hard but not too big! She has arranged a referal appointment for me at the hospital to carry out an scan. This would be in two weeks time. I personally want it now.

    Btw regarding that potential spouse thing, my older sister is trying to match me up with one of her friends brother because her friend is looking for someone for her brother. But as per usual (and fortunately) this potential spouse is much younger than me in age by about 6years lol ...

    That's that. Please keep me in your duas that this whole thing goes well for me and whatever Allah swt have willed for me I am more than happy to accept it ...

    xxx 🙂

    Sr. Breeze

    • Dear Sr. Breeze,

      I've replied to quite a few 'questions' on IslamicAnswers.com and this is the first time I have ever had anyone reply back with "thanks" for any advice I have given!! I was wondering how you were getting on actually.

      Myself and the other concerned ladies who replied simply wanted you to receive the best Medical Treatment ASAP. I am so glad you took our advice and did that. You've taken the first 'step' and that is a start!!

      I do hope your upcoming 'scan' will bring back good results for you also - if, by some chance you don't get the result you wish for, I am sure you will have the support of your family and your friends to get you through the next step, whatever that may be!

      One thing I would like to say though. No matter where we live, and no matter what 'religion' we are: be it Islam, Christian, Hindu, etc., all women stick together no matter what!! The ladies who replied to your letter of concern tells me that. We all want the very best outcome and treatment, if necessary, for you.

      We still have the same illnesses and diseases no matter where we live. It doesn't discriminate with whatever 'Race' you are either!!

      So, as I said before, I wish you all the best sweetheart and hope everything turns out 'in your favour' with your scan in two weeks.

      I wish you all the best in the future and may God/Allah bless you!!

      Take Care,

      Carol

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