Help! Lump in breast and armpit - referred to breast clinic

[TyraTreen]

New here but have been on google loads and quite a lot of stories on here relating to experiences of breast lumps.

I’ve found a lump in my armpit and after seeing GP, they have noted a lump in the breast too. Both firm and immobile which I gather is not good.

Waiting for referral to breast clinic in next two weeks but hoping someone has experience with this and can maybe offer some reassurance? I’m absolutely terrified

Big hugs. It's really scary. First step away from the Google. Stop Googling. Honestly it won't help. These next few weeks are going to be hard - the tests, the waiting, wanting answers but having to wait. You'll be all over the place. Just be kind to yourself and do what you need to do for the next few weeks until you get your answers. And remember that even the worst case scenario isn't actually always the worst case scenario. There are lots of threads on here, including one offering handholds for women who are waiting for test results. Hugs.

I'm sorry to hear this OP, I don't blame you for being scared but I'm sure I've read that 99% of breast lumps are benign (?)

You've not had the covid vaccine have you? There were some articles on this recently about women having the vaccine then being worried over what are totally normal swollen lymph nodes responding to the vaccine.

I’ve been where you are OP, three times.

All investigated thoroughly, and thankfully all had innocent outcomes. Waiting is scary, but I hope you get the same outcome.

I hope all goes well. I’ve been where you are a couple of times and have fortunately been okay. 💐

Thank you for the replies, I’m very nervous and concerned that there are two lumps which are firm and not mobile. Trying to keep calm but it’s hard!

@CormoranStrike @Gilead did either of you have multiple lumps which were hard and didn’t seem to move?

Yes I've had similar OP. Referral to the breast clinic is usually very quick. I had painful hard lumps in the breast and armpit on one side, GP referred me as a precaution.

They did an examination and an ultrasound and declared them cysts, was given some antibiotics and that's it really, they played up for a few months and haven't really had any trouble since or a reocccurance so perhaps just a 'hormonal blip' so said the consultant.

@dontgobaconmyheart thank you for sharing your experience too. I can’t feel the breast lump myself, but can see and feel the armpit one. I wouldn’t say the armpit one was sore, but it’s not painless either.

Just so desperate to know - obviously hoping for good news but either way, the not knowing is torture and I’m finding the wait very difficult

I’m waiting for my appointment too, maybe we can wait together. Have been told it will be some time in next two weeks and that I’ll get a diagnosis there and then at the hospital. Trying not to think about it but mine is very painful so I can’t really forget about it very easily.
Oh it’s horrible isn’t it - just wanted to let you know you’re not alone really. Hang in there.

I am currently recovering from a lumpectomy I had last week. The waiting for referral and results is the hardest part. Once you have a diagnosis and treatment plan it gives you something to focus on and you find an inner strength to deal with it. I sincerely hope yours is not what you are dreading but please be reassured that if you do need treatment you will be dealt with quickly and be in the best hands. The doctors and nurses I have encountered over the last few weeks have all been brilliant. They are the most efficient, kind and caring people I have ever come across. They understand what a scary time it is and they look after you so well. Good luck, I hope you don't have to wait too long for your appointment.

I know it’s hard but try not to preempt - you’ll know within a couple of weeks either way and be able to deal with absolutes instead of what ifs.

I had similar, last year at the start of lockdown, so was terrified it would be prolonged due to covid, but I was still seen within 10 days. Had mammogram and examination and they told me on the spot that it was nothing to worry about - just a cyst. My mum had cysts 3 times too.

If it turns out not to be, you’re in precisely the right place, and from what i gather, at the right time too -covid isn’t affecting urgent treatment at the moment so if anything you should be treated even more quickly than usual as they won’t have been doing routine examinations at the moment. BC treatments have come a long way in recent years. I have two friends who are several years on from treatment and doing great.

I’m a string believer that worrying is just borrowing trouble from the future. So at the risk of sounding trite, and meant with love and kindness, step away from Google, sit tight and try to trust in the process.

Thanks for the kind and reassuring comments.

@UntamedShrew sorry to hear you’re in a similar situation, did the GP give you any indication of their thoughts as to what it might be? Mine was very direct and only said I would get an urgent referral, didn’t offer any insight into what they thought it was

Hi OP. Sorry you’re going through this. I don’t have any advice but I have my appointment at the breast clinic this Friday after being referred by my GP Friday gone. Very similar to you, lump in breast and armpit. Hopefully you will get your appointment through soon

@TyraTreen

Thank you for the replies, I’m very nervous and concerned that there are two lumps which are firm and not mobile. Trying to keep calm but it’s hard!

@CormoranStrike @Gilead did either of you have multiple lumps which were hard and didn’t seem to move?

I had a fairly large lump, solid and to my feeling, immobile. Not sure it was what is classed as immobile medically. I was also leaking black fluid from my nipple (urgh).

Turned out to be a solid benign cyst that needed aspiration and an infection in my case.

My last one was just “one of those lumps”, and I was told at thr specialist clinic that most often thr kind of lumps none medically trained people can find are almost always innocent.

Hi op, have you had the vaccine? I work in breast services and we have had a lot of referrals for lumps in armpits/close to breast which is caused through the vaccine. It is totally benign/harmless but Gp are sending lots of women to get them checked out. Hope all goes ok

I was at the breast clinic yesterday for two immobile lumps. I was seen within 14 days of the GP appointment. Honestly, I tried to put it totally to the back of my mind for those two weeks, and kept telling myself that most lumps are nothing to worry about. It was hard to do that though.

I didn't Google or tell my DM, but did let my colleagues know. They were fab, it seems all of them had been to the breast clinic at some point- most more than once. Their top tip was to take a couple of paracetamol incase a mammogram is needed. In the end the consultant sent me for an ultrasound first and they found several cysts, between 1-2cm, more smaller, but nothing sinister.

Update!

For anyone who finds this thread and is worried, I was seen at my local breast clinic today and I have two fatty lumps, nothing more.

Thanks to all who offered reassurance, it’s been a hard time waiting for answers but I feel very fortunate to have been given news that both lumps are nothing to worry about.

Brilliant news OP!

and thank you for coming back and updating.

Enjoy the good night's sleep

Brill and brill you came to tell.