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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask you to share experiences of breast lumps?

55 replies

youreminepontipine · 16/09/2012 16:49

I have a small, hard, pea sized lump in my breast, it's a bit like a bead under the skin. It's been there for a while, I thought at first it might be hormonal, or maybe a blocked pore or something, but it's not shifting. I gate going to the doctor, and have been puttjng off going, or telling anyone about this, but I've got my head around the fact that I have to, really. I confided in some good friends who were v supportive, and in my husband who was typically noncommittal, and am going to rhbg the surgery tomorrow to get an appt.

I know it's likely up be benign, especially given my age (early 30s) but have literally just lost my best friend's mum to BC, so crap timing really! I have been really depressed the last few weeks. It would be really helpful if anyone who has been through the process of having a lump checked would be willing to share what happened, I will feel more confident seeing the dr if I know what is likely to happen #controlfreak.

Thank you.

OP posts:

MushroomSoup · 16/09/2012 19:49

Nightowl mine was more into my armpit than in the actual breast and was exactly the same size as a creme egg but it grew within a week from pea sized.

FreudianLisp · 16/09/2012 20:43

I seem to get a lump every few years. I generally get them checked because my mum had BC. They've all been fine. Apparently if you can move the lump around a bit then it's likely to be a harmless cyst - they're called 'breast mice' apparently! I hope yours is benign too. (It almost certainly will be.)

TheFogsGettingThicker · 16/09/2012 20:54

I found a pea-sized lump, went to GP. I didn't bother with a chaperone and it wasn't necessary.

He thought it was a cyst, I got a referral to check it out.

I had a mammogram and it was confirmed as a cyst.

Please get it checked ASAP (and you too Nightowl!)

LaQueen · 16/09/2012 21:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fishnhips · 16/09/2012 21:07

I lost my sister to breast cancer (she was diagnosed at 32 and died when she was 37) and am considered high risk. Last year I found a lump and had it checked out, it was nothing - a fibroadenoma - but I was a mess waiting for the results. The staff were lovely, professional but caring at the same time and had it been serious I am sure the support would have continued all the way. They definitely didn't make me feel like I was wasting time and I had an amazingly quick referral from GP to hospital. You should go,it's much better to know either way

Almostfifty · 16/09/2012 21:11

Get to the doctor! If it's cancerous, the quicker you're treated the better as you well know.

I had a lump removed 22 years ago, it was benign. Procedures are much quicker these days, and much faster (I've lumpy breasts and keep having to have check-ups) than they were then.

It's not often it's anything at your age, but you know it's much better to be safe.

Make that appointment tomorrow.

Nanny0gg · 16/09/2012 21:22

If you get brushed off then ask to see another doctor.

Do not delay. However innocent it is, it will be worth it for peace of mind.

invicta · 16/09/2012 21:29

If possible, let us know how you get on.

savemefromrickets · 16/09/2012 21:35

I found a pea sized lump and was referred to hospital. I must warn you that I had to wear a 'breast cape' when waiting to be checked. This is a circle of material, cut up one side and held together by velcro. The room was freezing so during the wait I moved around to keep warm. Unfortunately so did the cape, so I unwittingly greeted the doctor with one boob poking out the front of the cape.

He examined my breasts and asked what I was doing on the Wednesday. 'Cheeky bastard' I thought. I was about to lamp him one when I realised he was asking if he could operate on the Wednesday

I had the op. It turned out to be a cyst.

The only negative I had was the failure to realise that it would hurt to clean my teeth (I'm rather blessed in the boob department)!! Lucky old xh had to be a martyr and pin them down for me for a few days!!

Dawndonna · 16/09/2012 21:37

Do you smoke?
I have had several lumps, some have been scar tissue (two breast abcesses operations) some have been cysts and some calcium deposits that are harmless, women who smoke are apparently prone to them.
I gave up in January this year. Now I'm fat!

Kayano · 16/09/2012 21:37

My 30yo cousin who had a 3 yo at the time found a lump and it was a very aggressive type of cancer they don't usually see in people her age so her whole family had genetic testing

Putting off the doctors is stupid where lumps are
Concerned

YellowDinosaur · 16/09/2012 21:42

I work In a breast clinic and can categorically say you are not wasting anyones time. I'd rather see a million people who had nothing rather than one person who didn't want to waste our time but turned out to have cancer.

as has been said already you will be seen within 2 Weeks of your gp referring you. Expect to be at the hospital for a few hours as you will be seen by a doctor, have an ultrasound and possibly a mammogram (if you are aged over 35) and if there is a definite lump you will have a biopsy.

In most cases the tests will prove that the lump is benign and no more will need to be done. Sometimes the tests are inconclusive when you may need further tests and you may need to have a second appointment. If the lump is cancerous you will have a dedicated breast care nurse to answer any questions and a plan will be made for treatment.

Chances are it's nothing but breast cancers caught early are usually curable so please go to your go - you are not wasting anyones time. Good luck x

Roundandroundthemulberrybush · 16/09/2012 22:32

I have had a number of lumps. I discovered the first in a Sunday night, saw the GP on the Monday morning, had a mammogram and ultra sound on the Monday afternoon, saw the consultant on the Monday evening who confirmed it was a cyst and drained it there and then. 24 hours from discovery to removal. All done privately hence the speed. Please go to the doctors.

EldritchCleavage · 16/09/2012 23:14

Just to say a relative's recent experience of this was very positive, in that the nurses were wonderful, she was kept very fully informed at every stage and felt well cared for. I think you will be pretty well looked after, so please go as soon as you can.

KurriKurri · 17/09/2012 00:00

Please go to the GP asap. It is likely your lump will be something perfectly harmless, but I believe it is very important to always get any changes in your breasts checked out.

Your GP may be able to reassure you immediately. He/she may want you to wait and see if the lump disappears - depending on where you are in your cycle if he thinks it is something hormonal, or he may refer you to the breast clinic.
If this happens you should get an appointment within 2 weeks.
When I was referred I saw a consultant, he sent me for a mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy, and I got my results 2 weeks after that. Sometimes you get them quicker - depends on your hospital set up. You may have any or all of these tests and examinations.

It can feel a little overwhelming, but it is worth it for peace of mind, or in the less likely event of it being something sinister the sooner you start having treatment the better.

I would just add, for anyone reading this and wondering about breast health, please please see your GP if you have any concerns. Not all lumps are cancerous, but also not all tumours present as obvious lumps. I was Dx with breast cancer 4 yrs ago, I had no visible lump, my first indication that something was wrong was an inverted nipple.

My GP could not feel a lump, but the nipple abnormality was obvious and he could feel a hardening of the flesh at the top of my breast under my shoulder bone. Tests at the clinic showed a tumour deep inside my breast under the nipple - so impossible to feel as a lump.

Check yourselves regularly, feel under your arms, and around the inside of your shoulder bones and round your neck too. There are various videos online showing you how to check properly - check out the breast cancer care website if you want more info. Get to know your breasts so that you can quickly spot any changes at all, and get any changes in shape or skin surface checked out.

Original poster

youreminepontipine · 21/09/2012 14:24

popping back to update, I've been to the docs and she is very confident that the lump is some sort of cyst or similar. She's given me some string antibiotics and antibiotic cream, I'm seeing her again on tuesday to assess but have already noticed the lump has shrunk slightly so feel she's absolutely right.

We have also agreed to discuss putting me back on some medication for depression and anxiety, and I am feeling really positive about that.

Thank you for sharing your stories and for your support.

OP posts:

MrsKwazii · 21/09/2012 14:33

So glad you've been to the GP and that you're feeling more positive. A breast lump is a scary thing to find, but HCP's are well up on checking and treating the range of things it could be. And thank you for the update

DeWe · 21/09/2012 14:39

I had one of those . Discovered it last thing on Friday before a double bank holiday as you do.
Kept fiddling, trying to decide whether it was getting bigger. In the waiting room on Wednesday, I decided to have a quick check in the toilets before I went in to see if it had grwon in the last 30 minutes... and it popped with a bit off stuff coming out. As I came sheepishly out of the toilet my name was called.
Lovely GP didn't laugh at me, and said it was right to check. We both had a bit of a on though once I'd explained.

KurriKurri · 21/09/2012 17:20

So pleased you have seen the GP, and she has reassured you - And good you were able to talk over your other meds with her - hope you feel better soon

redexpat · 21/09/2012 18:55

I found one when I was in India. They made me go for a mammogram which showed nothing because being 23 at the time you couldn't see through the breast tissue. My GP at home was fascinated because she'd never seen one. Instead the home GP took a sample (surprisinly painless needle in the boob). It was fine.

Dawndonna · 21/09/2012 18:58

So glad it was all okay. Hope you're feeling much better soon.

Quiteoldmother · 21/09/2012 19:02

You must go the doctor asap and get it checked, but please don't start worrying too much at this stage, even though it's hard not to. You will only be truly reasssured when medical professionsals confirm it is nothing to worry about.

DuelingFanjo · 21/09/2012 19:16

I am on holiday until next week so can't see my doctor immediately but have a similar question. For the past week I have had a pain in one breast, right at the top near the breast-bone, it's not a lum but more like I can feel a swollen vein about 2 inches across. I am breast feeding but this isn't anything like a blocked duct or mastitis so I am quite worried. It hurts when my toddler jabs his elbows into it as he tends to do while doing acrobatic feeding.

I will be going straight to the doctor but wondered, like the previous poster, are lumps usually just pea sized and usually actually in e breast rather than at the top?

thebeesnees79 · 21/09/2012 19:44

I had one about 6 months after stopping breast feeding and never connected the two & it turned out to be a blocked duct. I was still making milk almost two years after stopping breast feeding. is it at all possible that's what it could be?

Nanny0gg · 22/09/2012 11:59

My cysts were painful and as far as I can remember, they were in different places in my breast, also quite large. So no, not pea sized always. Depends how long they've been there before you notice them.
But if a cyst, absolutely harmless and easily drained.
I am riddled apparently and the only problem with them, apart from occassional discomfort, is that I always need further checking after mammograms. But they don't lead to anything sinister.

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