I am self-employed, have no health insurance and think I may have cancer. What should I do?

Question

I haven't been to a doctor yet, but for the last 2 years I have had occasional shooting pains in my left chest muscle. I lift weights a lot so I thought it was just soreness or maybe heartburn.

I noticed 4 months ago a small bump (like a small pea) near my sternum on my left chest muscle. I tend to get those little "fatty lipoma" things so I just figured it was that, but it did kind of hurt to touch it.

3 weeks ago, I woke up in the morning with severe pain in the middle of my chest - like the worst heartburn of all time, but I could tell it was in the chest muscle, not internal (my heart).

The pain spread over the last three weeks from my sternum to under my arms and much worse on my left side. Just today I was feeling the area above my left nipple and felt about a 2 inch long hard "ridge" that is quite painful to touch. (Like a vvery hard vein or something).

I am starting to worry and I don't have health insurance. What should I do? I'm thinking blood clot or worse.

I'll add some more info here. From what I have read of male breast cancer, my symptoms really don't fit.

In male breast cancer, any lumps usually occure "bneath" the nipple or are accompanied by a discharge from the nipple.

My "hard ridge" is above the nipple, extending down to the nipple and feels more like a clotted vein than a lump.

My family has some problems with blood clots, so I am think that may be it rather than cancer (which my family has no history of at all - but we do get blood clots).

I am just nervous because my mom just had a one-hour outpatient procedure and the bill was $18,000!

I was like, damn, what did they sew you up with, gold thread?

Hmmm,

A few people have mentioned coffee as a possible culprit.

You know, I used to be able to drink coffee like mad with no problems, but in the last year or so, I have started to react very negatively to it with head rushes, et al.

Maybe this chest thing has something to do with the coffee. Where else can I learn more about this?

Answer 1

i think you are worrying without really knowing; i have the same symptoms
i had a EKG everything turned out OK.
Are you drinking lots of coffee? you should quit drinking coffee for about 3 months and you will see those symptoms will disappear; I'm allergic to coffee; and when i drink a cup i have those symptoms; just for the record; quit for 3 months and see what happen.
I will pray for you.

Answer 2

Cancer is a good possibility, as well as an impending heart attack. Go to the ER, chest pains are an emergency. You might not have insurance but they can help you with charity or other options. They can do a CAT scan to see if you have cancer and they can rule out a heart attack or blood clot easily as well. Don't throw away your chance for help just because you don't have insurance. Money isn't worth your health. I know someone who put off seeing a doctor and was dead one month later. Go, asap.
Good luck.

Answer 3

I don't know much about health insurance, I am guessing you live in the U.S.A. because in my country you only take out extra cover if you would like private health, otherwise you are treated at a public hospital.

You need to be seen and I am guessing this could be costly. Ask yourself this question, what is a life worth?

If you need money get a loan, use a credit card or whatever but you must see a doctor quickly!

These stories sadden me and make me realise how lucky some of us are! Good luck to you and let me know how u go!

Jackstar xx

Answer 4

wow! You must be scared to death! I don't know where you live, and don't know how old you are, but you need to get checked. If you are in the US, you can go to any ER, and I don't believe they can turn you away-not in California anyway. But, you might not get a complete diagnosis tonight either. If you think you can wait, can you go to a county hospital that helps with no insurance patients? Either way, you know you should be checked too. Good luck to you. Most hospitals will take payments, but if it at the worst is something awful, they should be able to help with some kind of emergency 'welfare' if you don't make too much money. If you do make too much money for 'help', you still need to to, so, figure out how topay later, and get it figured out.

Answer 5

I was told by a breast cancer Dr. that cancer doesnt hurt until the last stages, good to know huh?
I thought I had breast cancer while back I didnt they told me to decrease my caffeine intake though,anyways you may want to see a Dr. ASAP anyway just to have cholesterol ect. gen chk up done. No insurance? I go to a clinic here in FL & they provide excellent health care on a sliding scale according to my income.Try a clinic / health dept.most states have them & because they are government regulated you recieve very good health care.
Best of luck & stay positive.

Answer 6

dont listen to people that say cancer is painless because they are wrong the early stages of breast cancer are painful if it invloves the nipple this is what my mother has mouth cancer is very painful.i would go to your DHS office or health dept they can help with low cost maybe no cost

Answer 7

You should see a doctor anyway, never mind about the money, pay him later. You do have something wrong and it should be checked on soon as possible. Believe me, I can't afford to get sick either. It's bad now that in the US, if you can't afford health care, you are just left to die.

Answer 8

If you do try and get health insurance, do NOT mention this problem. I am not trying to advertise, but if you could email me at [e-mail], I am with a company that sells health care savings (NOT INSURANCE!). It is a great benefit to have, especially with you being self-employed. Let me know if you are interested and we can talk.

Answer 9

cancer is pretty much painless...but go to a doctor.