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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Breast lump could it be a cyst ??

61 replies

Rollingstones84 · 19/04/2021 18:14

Hiya , I was just wondering if anyone has had any history with a breast cyst ?... basically I’m panicking like something chronic ! I’m 36 andI’ve found a lump in my breast and since then a couple of smaller ones :/ I’ve been to the gp and she has referred me to the breast clinic . She did mention that it could be hormonal ( as I did mention I’ve felt a bit of pain in the breast near the armpit for months and months but ignored it ) ( thought it was an ill fitting bra 🙄) anyways since then I’ve been touching this boob now sometimes I can feel the lump , the I loose it then I think I’ve found other little ones)🙄🙄😪... Iits quite tender to to touch and afterwards .I have been on cerelle pill since I have had my children eldest is 14 and I don’t have any periods at all. So his didn’t help the doctor at all !.. also ,this breast (left) just feels more muscley, tissuy than my right ?.... I’m just trying to see if it could be hormonal, rather than the worst x if anyone has been through something similar and hasn’t turned out to the worst , this could be great ! Thankyou x

OP posts:
JulesM73 · 19/04/2021 20:25

I have in the last 2 years been referred 3 times for lumps and these have all been cysts and required draining. Quite stressful but was seen quickly and the process and care was very good.

Unfortunately I have found another one in the last week so need to go to the doctor but there isn’t the panic as there was before as I am assuming it’s another cyst but don’t want to be blasé just in case.

ohsuzannah · 19/04/2021 21:01

I've had cysts in the past, but my actual breast cancer did not hurt at all!

usernotfound0000 · 19/04/2021 21:07

I had a lump last year that I had looked at. It was shaped like a kidney bean and felt quite solid. It also seemed to get bigger over the course of a week. I was referred to the breast clinic, it was actually a bit embarrassing as I'd made myself stop prodding it in the lead up to the appointment to try and take my mind of it, but by the time I got to the clinic I actually couldn't locate it! They scanned me anyway and said was probably a cyst linked to menstrual cycle. They were really lovely and didn't make me feel like I'd wasted their time or anything. 9 out of 10 lumps are nothing to worry about.

Tangledtresses · 19/04/2021 21:18

Went for the same thing recently I'm 49 and t turned out to be fibroadenoma

Although get it checked out
Breast clinic were fantastic diagnosed in 3 hours .... had to go back for a doctor to tell me 🙄 but the doctor who did the ultra sound told me straight up on the day

8misskitty8 · 19/04/2021 21:46

I had a large lump last year. Was examined and sent for a mammogram and ultrasound. It was a large cyst and they drained it, nearly 40mls of fluid.

Most breast clinics I think are a ‘one stop’ so everything gets done at the appointment. The people there are great, very kind.

3rd time I’ve been in the last 6 years, since i was 35, same thing each time but this cyst was the biggest ! Mum had breast cancer and I’ve had thyroid cancer so I get really worried any time I find a lump.

Holyjinglebells · 19/04/2021 21:50

I'm prone to breast cysts, have had them aspirated three times... This is most likely what you have, but there's only one way to find out.. Try not to worry, but no lump should go unchecked x

luciles · 19/04/2021 21:54

Hi there I had a cyst not too long ago it was painful to touch and quite hard. Best of luck Thanks

Skap · 19/04/2021 22:02

The breast clinic do everything at one appointment, it can take hours but you will come away with a good idea of what it is. You see doctor, have mammogram, ultrasound. If they are suspicious they will tell you but breast cancer has to be confirmed by a biopsy.
Mine was cancer. Tiny smooth round lump in an area that had been painful for months. It felt like a pea under the skin and didn't disappear.

hannahbanana2007 · 19/04/2021 22:09

Hi OP I'm in pretty much the same position as you, only while the GP can feel a lump I can't seem to, only feel the area that is painful. Have also been referred to breast clinic on 07 May so it's been really helpful to read what might happen as I'm quite anxious on what to expect. How long were people at their appointments roughly please?

CornishYarg · 19/04/2021 22:57

I've been to the breast clinic twice in the last 3 years; both were cysts. Both times the lump felt smooth and was moveable. It also became more prominent at certain points of my cycle. I actually had several smaller cysts as well but had just felt the large one.

My experiences sound similar to others:

  • Examined by consultant. He immediately told me that they felt like cysts so I was able to relax early on.
  • Mammogram which is uncomfortable but not really painful
  • Ultrasound and then they offered to drain the cyst. Other than a sharp scratch initially, the draining wasn't too bad.

The staff at the breast clinic were lovely. It probably took 1 1/2 hours - 2 hours altogether so take something with you to read while you're waiting.

Rollingstones84 · 20/04/2021 07:27

Hi ya could I ask if u had any other symptoms ?

OP posts:
Proudboomer · 20/04/2021 07:37

I am post menopause now but have suffered with breast cysts for years.

I have two at present and just had my routine screening mammogram which came back clear.
One cyst is on my right on the under side of my boob and that is the painful one. Every now and again it will get bigger and then burst and some pus and blood leaks out and it goes away for a while.
The other is on my left boob just under my cleavage and that is just a hard lump that has never burst.

CornishYarg · 20/04/2021 07:52

With my cysts, I didn't have any other symptoms besides the lumps

Didleychick · 20/04/2021 08:44

Always best to get any lump checked out. Especially if the lump does not move!!!! No one is ever too young to get breast cancer unfortunately. Flowers

IamMaz · 20/04/2021 09:11

I was just referred to the Breast Cancer Clinic a week ago. I noticed my left nipple had become inverted - and I was aware this could be a sign of cancer.
I contacted my surgery and my doctor wanted to examine me.
She then referred me to the Breast Cancer Clinic where I had another examination, then mammogram and finally ultrasound.
I was told it was NOT considered to be cancer - just something that can happen over time...

Darbishire27 · 20/04/2021 11:58

The chances are it is a cyst or something else you won't need to worry about further. But please be clear OP, the worst scenario isn't finding out that you have breast cancer. The worst is not getting a diagnosis until it's too late for successful treatment. Breast cancer has very high survival rates, in part because there has been so much investment in research and treatment, but also because it is easier to spot before it becomes really serious. So please be brave OP and anyone else who finds that dreaded lump. It probably is a cyst or similar but don't use that thought to put off getting it checked out. And all our fingers and toes are crossed for youFlowers

Oilseed · 20/04/2021 12:37

I’m 33 and found a breast lump last year, I was terrified and the 2 week wait to be checked at the breast clinic felt like an eternity.

It was just a cyst in the end thank god.

I’m sure yours will be too OP, they’re incredibly common. Mine was tender too once it’d been poked/ prodded etc and hurt at night sometimes too, hormones, apparently hurting is a good sign.

Try not to panic but that’s easier said than done I know

Rollingstones84 · 20/04/2021 15:57

Thankyou for everyone’s reply has made me a little less worried but I’m sure I’ll found out for sure next week , it’s so nice to know that other people have gone through this worriy and it’s common I didn’t realise how common x so Thankyou for everyone’s comments and sharing with me xx

OP posts:
Didleychick · 20/04/2021 20:00

Also if it is the dreaded C and is found early it can be treated I'm nearly 9 years this year from finding my lump I still have yearly mammograms as I said b4 always get a lump, change in breast shape, inverted nipple etc checked out. No one is too young to get breast cancer unfortunately.

Rollingstones84 · 20/04/2021 20:34

Thankyou for ur reply again,... so good to hear that your clear after 9 years .... I’ve tried not to notice it from now on as I’m quite sore I think from prodding. 🙄 this appointment cannot come quick enough :(

OP posts:
boon · 12/05/2021 23:02

I am also in this situation. I am terrified and feel so sick. I found a large lump under my nipple. About 2cm in size. I dont think it moves. It hurts but only because Ive been prodding it so much. I have a breast clinic appt tmrw. Ive never felt so anxious. I have 2 boys and am terrified. I found it totally by accident. It could have been there for ages. I cant eat and just feel sick all the time. I dont know how Im going to walk jnto that hospital tmrw.

EmeraldShamrock · 12/05/2021 23:04

Don't panic yet. I've a hormonal cyst lump it was checked took a biopsy etc it was fine.

Tomcullenisahero · 12/05/2021 23:12

@boon I hope you're okay, I'm glad you have an appt tomorrow. I was at the breast clinic yesterday after finding a lump two weeks ago, I understand how you feel. Please try not to Google or let your mind go down dark paths, I know that telling you not to worry is pointless but try not to stress just yet. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, I'm sending you virtual hugs.

boon · 12/05/2021 23:29

Thank you both for your kind words. I've been googling stuff all day trying to figure out if the lump I've found is cancerous or not. It doesn't help that we've already been through a similar scenario with my son a month ago, where something showed up on a general scan which related to the brain. I thought that was bad enough to go through but now this. Its all just too much. Im scared if its bad news Im going to collapse. I dont think I can handle it.

Rangoon · 12/05/2021 23:29

I have had several painless lumps over the years. I had needle aspirations and they were just cysts. They weren't particularly mobile I dont think. I also got called back after a mammogram. No lump but "thickening" on one side. I had an additional scan and was examined. Again it was benign. I was really frightened but the good news is that early detection
does save lives. A colleague's cancer was found during a mammogram and she had minimal surgery and treatment because it was caught early.

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