To think a breast lump must be cancer?

[Malaprah]

There’s a lump on one side and a bit of yellow discharge. GP has given me antibiotics. AIBU to worry that it’s actually breast cancer? A lump can’t be good news?

I’ve had a lump that turned out to be fine and antibiotics sorted itZ but if you’re worried ask to be referred to the Breast Clinic in your area. It can’t hurt to check it out for sure

I'm not medical in any way.

I think breast lumps can be all sorts of things: some worrying, some not. I've had two lumps in the last ten years so have had two trips to the breast clinic. Both times it turned out to be nothing terrible. If the antibiotics work, great; if not, go back to the GP and they'll get you checked if they think it's necessary.

Sounds like an infected cyst

I don't think a lump is ever "good news", in the sense that no-one really wants one, but it's certainly not always bad news.

Sometimes a lump is just a lump.

Daughter had a breast lump that turned out to be an abscess that was treated with antibiotics. Still unpleasant but not cancer. Take the tablets and see what happens.

It’s frightening but will hopefully turn out to be less worrying than you thought. Meanwhile we’re here to hold hands virtually.

Not voting here as it’s not an AIBU matter. You feel how you feel.

I had a breast lump with a fancy name but basically it was not malignant. I had it removed before I moved to a tiny rural town as my DR was concerned no one would monitor it. For what I’m unsure. It was fine and that was 13yrs ago. Take the antib’s and if it doesn’t clear up go back for another visit

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I feel a bit less scared now.

I had a lump that turned out to be just a thickened bit of boob tissue.
Most breast lumps are not cancer. Yours sounds like it’s discharging pus so it’s probably something like a boil, hence the antibiotics. If the GP thought it was possibly cancer they’d have referred you to the breast clinic.

I too had a breast lump, was told to take antibiotics and call back if I finished them and the lump was still there, which I did.
They had me in for an examination, then they made an urgent referral to the breast clinic.
Seen within 2 weeks, given a check, and a scan to be certain. They talked me through what they saw- a cyst.

Please try not to worry.
The yellow is probably infection, try to put your mind at ease whilst you take the ABs, and know that if it doesn't go, youll get all the tests you need swiftly to get it sorted out-whatever it is.

I hope seeing that many of us have had lumps that have turned out to not be cancer is a relief

You never know what it is. I had cysts for years, until one day that cyst turned out to be cancer. Hopefully, it's nothing to be concerned about.

When I had to go to get mine checked out, I was told the majority were benign. Mine was a fibroid.

Try not to worry.

I'm sure the doctor examined you. He will have a good idea of which kinds of lumps are possibly cancerous, so if he didn't refer you, you shouldn't be too worried.
See what happens when you finish the antibiotics and go back if you're still worried.

Both of mine were infections and the second one took a long time to go. Both needed ABs. I know you must be very worried but usually these are cysts and infections that can be treated easily. You should be able to be seen quickly on the two-week pathway. Best wishes x

Every time I’ve had a lump it hasn’t been cancer. Sending you good vibes op.

I've had both benign lumps and one cancer. The cancer one felt like a glass marble under my skin. It was really hard. Very distinct feeling I knew immediately it did not feel right.

I'm sure your doctor knows the difference and considering you're on antibiotics now it's most likely fine. If it keeps floating in your head you could always insist on a mammogram to be sure.

I found a pronounced breast lump on my mother's birthday in 2007 and had to be happy and cheerful all day. I know how scared you must feel. Discharge does sound like an infection to me, rather than something nastier. I had to go for ultrasound and a biopsy. Two fibroadenomas and a phylloides tumour were found. Fibroadenomas are basically just lumps, phylloides tumours can be benign or malignant. I had mine removed and it turned out to be benign. So this just shows that even when you suspect the worst it quite often isn't what you think you might have. I hope yours clears up soon.

I had a lump and then a mammogram which was clear. The doctor cheerfully told me I just have lumpy boobs 😁

I had one which when poked with a needle to take a sample(?) Was full.of old breast milk.

I have a lump in my breast that’s been biopsied and it’s totally benign

Probably an abscess. If they suspect cancer they refer you immediately.

Loads of breast lumps are not cancerous. Sounds like yours is an infected cyst or something like that.