I’ve found a lump in my boob

[helpfoundalump]

I’m 32, not having regular periods due to mirena coil. Both my boobs have been horrendously sore the last few days to the point I can’t wear a bra, nipples have been hot and itchy. I was putting it down to hormones as I’ve also had period type pain - albeit no bleeding at all.

Figured I’d better check this evening after a shower to be sure and there’s a solid lump on the right side behind my nipple. I can only feel it when lying flat with my arm up. It’s about the size of my finger tip and it’s solid.

I’m in a bit of a panic. I’ve no family history of breast cancer but I have got a cousin (no biological relation) with breast cancer - she’s 30.

Do I need to go to the GP?

I would. Hope it’s nothing, but it’s definitely worth getting it checked. 💐

Absolutely. You have a lump and it needs checking.

More often than not lumps are benign.

As hard as it is, try really hard not to panic. It could be a cyst or a benign lump, but you do need to go to your GP, yes.

(If it helps, I was a similar age to you when I found a lump, but I have a very strong family history of breast cancer so I was terrified - but it was benign)

Yes, go to the gp. If they refer you, don’t panic, that’s routine also.

Go get it checked the GP will send you to the breast clinic. I went through the same and it was a cyst. Breast clinic was excellent and from me finding the lump through the gp and then breast clinic was all over within 10 days.

Thank you, I’ll make an appt with the GP on Monday. Hoping if I have to go to breast clinic that I’ll be able to get a friend to go with me.

Both nipples? Pain in both breasts not likely to be cancer.

Pain in both but the lump’s only on one side. It’s like a chickpea type thing behind my nipple. Can only feel it if lying flat and press with flat of my fingers, if I try and find it when sitting forward it’s not there iyswim.

Definitely get it checked.

I have cysts in one breast that can get bigger and painful when I have my period - diagnosed via mammogram/ultrasound, so don't freak if they refer you.

I found one last year, didn't change over the month so I went to the nurse in my GP surgery, she gave me a good all over and referred me to breast clinic. I literally got an appointment two weeks later, mammogram + ultrasound and the consultant told me there and then all good. Frankly it was astonishingly good and obviously the result I was hoping for.

So don't panic, make an appointment and hopefully this time next month all your worries will be over. If not they are tremendously good at sorting out everything else too.

Yes go and get it checked

I had a cyst in one of my breasts, it was a round lump

I've also been there OP. I was 28/29 and felt a hard lump near the areola on one side. I was in breast clinic within the week. They did a thorough check with examination and ultrasound and it was totally benign. Get it checked x

Yes definitely get it checked. As an aside I've got the mirena coil & have had it for 18 months with no period however I've just started to have sore boobs each month and then a couple of days later I have some spotting & the tenderness subsides. I went to the docs and she said that the sore boobs was unusual due to the hormones in the coil but she's not overly concerned. Said to have bloods in a couple of months if it still happens.
Anyway, I think I'm trying to say that it seems hormones will still fluctuate with the coil in place.
I would however get the lump checked. Hope you get the all clear quickly.

I’ll make an appt on Mon yes. Have spent all day prodding it trying to work out if it’s just breast tissue or if it’s something else. Can’t tell.

It sounds stupid but I’m morbidly obese and dread taking my top off to be examined, I hate my stomach. I know that’s the wrong thing to be worrying about.

I have had a lot of period crampy type pain and heavy discharge this week so it could be hormonal yeah. Mirena’s been in for about a year.

Have you taken a pregnancy test?

Yes, you should get it checked out. However the fact that both boobs are itchy and sore points to hormonal issues, which can make the breasts a bit lumpy and bumpy. You're also meant to use the flat of your hands when doing a breast exam, due to the fact that breasts are naturally bumpy. If you going in with your fingers, you will almost certainly find a multitude of lumps and bumps.

Definitely not pregnant, I’ve not had sex for over a year sadly!

Another one here who’s been to the breast clinic recently and it turned out to be a big old cyst - they drained it on the spot for me and it hasn’t come back (though they said I’ve got quite a few smaller ones that I just can’t feel, so that’s fun…) I also had a really good experience with the clinic, all the staff were lovely, totally unfazed by yet another nervous half naked lady in front of them and really put me at ease. Don’t worry about what you look like, they’ve seen all shapes, sizes and ages, they really won’t even notice your tummy unless you stick a ruby in your navel and start belly dancing round the room 🤭

Think about all the different bodies and boobs they see. Please don't l let being self conscious stop you getting this sorted.

Thank you, going to ring GP at 8 tomorrow. I think I can vaguely feel something like it on the other side but not convinced. My aunty rang last night and told her, got told very firmly that I have to go and see the GP. Sadly she’s miles away or I’d ask her to come with.

Also do a pregnancy test with those symptoms

its understandable to be scared but get checked.

There are a number of benign things it could be. A mammogram in the uk is not recommended on people under 40 according to guidelines but they will be able to do an ultrasound.

They will absolutely not care if you have a tummy or anything of the sort. They will have seen absolutely everything before. But you are number one, and early is better than late.

Fibrocystic breast changes GP thinks. She could feel several other lumps and said I’m generally quite lumpy all over. Have to go to breast clinic but not under the 2WW rule, just standard referral. She said to take ibuprofen etc for pain in the meantime and suggested evening primrose oil might help too. Relieved!!

Getting seen tomorrow evening. I didn’t expect it to be that fast, I thought it would be weeks - GP said ‘sometimes within the next few weeks’. A bit thrown.