To ask you to tell me reassuring stories about underarm/breast lumps that were harmless?

[Grobagsforever]

Sorry but am freaking out. I'm 39 and lost DH at 35 to bowel cancer. Two small kids.

I have a soft, fatty, mobile lump in my armpit. I first noticed it shaving maybe a month ago. I thought it was a skin reaction at first to shaving e.g ingrown hair but now it's still there and is under skin.

Everything I've read suggests a cancerous lump would be hard and immobile.

I will call GP tomorrow and see how I can get it checked at current time. My rational brain says it's almost definitely fine. I have no risk factors. But because DH died of cancer young my brain has been freaking out all weekend.

Reassurance gratefully received.

I’ve had a small lump on one side that was removed and was fine. Then I could feel a lump on the other side months later - turns out was a hormonal lump, nothing to worry about and it’s since gone. I always crap myself when I find something like that as I have close family who have had breast cancer , and always get it checked out fortunately it’s always been fine.

I’ve got one, I’ve had it in my armpit for 20 years or more, it’s hard and doesn’t move, can be quite painful sometimes. I had it checked as a teenager and was told it was harmless. I have a similar one in my neck behind my ear, also for more than 20 years.

I'm so sorry about your husband.
Within a year, I have had two harmless lumps, one in each breast. The first I had checked privately and the second NHS, they were amazing and as thorough as the private appt: mammograms and ultrasounds on both sides.
When I told friends, they all seemed to have had harmless lumps.

I felt a lump a couple of years ago. Within a week I had an appointment at the breast clinic, had a mammogram and a scan. It turned out to be part of my (normal) breast tissue, which the Dr said can feel different as you age and at different points of your cycle. She also said that should I feel anything even a bit unusual, to definitely always ask for a referral

I have a cyst, sounds exactly as you describe. It has been there for many many years, but occasionally gets infected which is annoying and a bit grim.

I had a small pea sized lump inside my armpit - in fact, its still there! Trouble is, I was 13 weeks pregnant at the time and was terrified as to what would happen. Long time ago, but I seem to remember having an ultrasound when the doctor looked inside it. He said:

"No it's not cancerous - hang on, is it? No, it's not".

He said it was probably left over from an infection I once had and I only noticed it because I'm so thin (not a stealth boast). So I skipped off to eat a muffin. Hope you're ok.

Yeah I had a breast lump appear. Got referred (though GP thought it was probably benign because it moved) and had a biopsy and ultrasound. It was all benign (the lump is still there).

Found a lump taking off my wedding dress on my wedding day. (So in my very early 40s) It was a cyst and apparently lots of people get a few benign lumps about later 30s and 40s who didn't before. Still important to get is checked out as you will be worrying about it. Vast majority of lumps are benign. It really is very likely to be completely fine and you will feel a lot better after you know that for sure.

@julybaby32 oh gosh how unpleasant on your special day.

Thanks everyone so much for sharing your reassuring stories.

Mine was also nothing, although at one point it was quite big. It was put down to hormones, I had a mammogram and examination and now I'm on the pill it's gone! I was also very worried. Good luck to you OP. My husband works in a hospital and all issues like this are still being seen. I hope you get some reassurance

@Ilikefresias thank you it's good to know I can still be seen

Have a GP telephone call this pm, not sure how much can be achieved over telephone but it is of course standard during Covid

They say I can pop in Thursday to get it checked

That's good to hear. When I went to the GP, he palpated the area and he was about 80% sure there was nothing to worry about but referred me for tests to be on the safe side - I hope you get similar reassurance.

My mum had 2. Both times harmless benign lumps which were removed as a precaution. Was over 10 years ago now and nothing since.

Me, once had a random hard area..... Turned out to be a bruised area where my baby son had booted me in the chest.

Of course you must still get it checked. But mostly for reassurance.

had a benign cyst for 30 years, gradually grown from lentil size to broad bean size. I forget it's there unless having a check. I didn't know you could get them drained. It feels just like a dried bean under the skin

I went for a checkup last week after breast pain and slight lumpy feeling.

Turns out to be just swollen glands but was very reassuring getting a second opinion. You're right when you say cancer is hard and doesn't move.

You'll be fine. Try not to worry in the meantime.

Back from GP who is certain is a sebaceous cyst. So relieved! Thank you everyone

That's great news! Thanks for updating us.

Less than 10% of breast lumps are actually cancer. Most are cysts or fibroadenomas etc.
I understand your anxiety but statistics are on your side.

Grobagsforever That's good news, hope it's reassured you.

I'd just read this and recalled I once had a lump in my armpit that turned out to be an infected sweat gland. Quickly sorted, but that first realisation "you have a lump there" left me feeling concerned.