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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Breast pain and found lump, terrified, guests due in an hour

149 replies

Geranium879 · 07/12/2025 12:05

In need of a huge handhold please. I’m 40 and have two young daughters. I had some strange pain in my right breast yesterday , and again the morning… I have now found a blueberry sized firm lump around 1 inch away from my nipple. It’s roundish and mobile but definitely “different” to the rest of the normal textures around it.

I have guests due in an hour… family friends… my daughters have been so excited they have actually been counting down the days. I feel sick but I need to get dressed and carry on. I can’t let everyone down.

my husband has a disability and we have no family help, I’m NC with my own mother die an abusive childhood. My husband would not be able to cope with the children on his own. For fucks sake why did this have to happen.

im going to put some nice clothes on, tidy up a bit and plaster on a smile for the rest of the day.

one thing I have on my side is that I have private health insurance and they have a fast track service for things like this, but alas I’ll not be able to call them till they open at 9am tomorrow.

my kids school nativity show is tomorrow too :-(

i would be extremely grateful for any virtual support anyone is able to give. Thank you in advance.

OP posts:
Octonaut4Life · 07/12/2025 12:08

Most likely it is a cyst. First thing Monday when your GP is open, call for a referral. You should then be put on the two week pathway for investigations. It's scary but fingers crossed it's nothing more sinister.

Original poster
Geranium879 · 07/12/2025 12:08

I keep thinking if I check again, it might not be there, but it’s still there, every time.

OP posts:
NewGoldFox · 07/12/2025 12:08

It’s probably a cyst. Try not to keep prodding it and give the gp a call tomorrow am 💖

Original poster
Geranium879 · 07/12/2025 12:09

Would a cyst be deep within the tissue ? It’s quite deep. I’ll try and stop prodding it as I’m achieving nothing. Thank you for responding

OP posts:
AirborneElephant · 07/12/2025 12:09

A painful smooth round lump is most often a cyst. Obviously you should get it checked out straight away on Monday, but it is most likely benign. A big handhold from me, I know how scary this is.

Ellie1015 · 07/12/2025 12:09

Happened to me recently. Went to GP, mammogram within 2 weeks and just a cyst. Was terrifying so understand your worry but all fine. Also happened to a friend. Both early 40s.

Important to get it checked, but try not to worry. Good chance it is nothing sinister, or caught early. Try to put it to the back of your mind and get GP appointment tomorrow.

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 07/12/2025 12:10

AFAIK breast cancer doesn’t usually come with pain. Please try and put it out of your mind until you can see a doctor and get it sorted. All the best OP

fost · 07/12/2025 12:11

As others have said, it's most likely to be a cyst. Cancer is very rarely painful. Try to put it out of your mind until you can get it checked.

AirborneElephant · 07/12/2025 12:11

Geranium879 · 07/12/2025 12:09

Would a cyst be deep within the tissue ? It’s quite deep. I’ll try and stop prodding it as I’m achieving nothing. Thank you for responding

Yes, cysts can be deep, they can be anywhere in the breast

Sassylovesbooks · 07/12/2025 12:11

I have no experience, but sending you a much needed hug ❤️ I know you're spiralling, and imagining all sorts of horrendous scenarios. Big deep breath, try and focus on what's happening today, with your visitors. 9 am tomorrow morning call a private GP using your private medical insurance - you will be seen the same day, I have no doubt. Until you've seen a medical professional, you don't know anything for sure.

incognito119 · 07/12/2025 12:12

as a general rule, if it hurts and you can move it, it’s a cyst. It absolutely needs checking out and well done for noticing it, but it’s more than likely a cyst. I’ve had a few of these over the years. Never stops me worrying though until I’ve been scanned. Good luck

TheGrimSmile · 07/12/2025 12:12

Most likely a cyst. 9/10 breast lumps are benign.

Original poster
Geranium879 · 07/12/2025 12:13

Thank you all so much. It is quite “mobile”, but definitely there and different to surrounding tissue. I feel better just for speaking on here. Thank you

OP posts:
Mintypanda · 07/12/2025 12:13

To echo what others have said, pain usually a good sign. I’ve also had blocked milk ducts that became swollen and hot long after breastfeeding had ceased so that’s a thing too.

Isobel201 · 07/12/2025 12:19

I once had an infected cyst that is still there but it doesn't cause me any problems now. I had to have antibiotics for it, but it went away. The pain was quite annoying and worse than the pre-period ache I sometimes get, but I've heard in most cancers pain is not normally felt.

Isayitasitis · 07/12/2025 12:20

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 07/12/2025 12:10

AFAIK breast cancer doesn’t usually come with pain. Please try and put it out of your mind until you can see a doctor and get it sorted. All the best OP

I've read this too.

isitmytime · 07/12/2025 12:25

I had similar over the summer, it started with a pain then I found a lump that felt quite large. I panicked but refused to google as that never ends well. It was a Saturday and I phoned the gp on the Monday, got seen on the Tuesday and immediately referred to the Brest clinic. I was so stressed and worried thinking the worst. Thankfully my appointment came through quickly think it was 10days after the GP appointment and after various scans and a biopsy they advised it was likely something called fat necrosis and usually occurs after an injury (I had no recollection of any injury) they sent the biopsy off and it was confirmed the initial diagnosis was correct. the lump went away over time.
it’s hard not to worry but try to enjoy your plans and get it checked out when you can.

Original poster
Geranium879 · 07/12/2025 13:07

Am dressed, make up on, have tidied , Xmas lights on, relaxing background music on. Husband has agreed to do most of the talking. Deep breaths. Thanks everyone for your support it really makes a difference x

OP posts:
MrsSPenguins · 07/12/2025 13:13

Breast cancer wouldn't be mobile though would still get it checked out. I had breast cancer and there was pain.

Justputsomeyoghurtonit · 07/12/2025 13:14

Hi OP. Don't bother with GP. Just call Bupa or whoever. Get consultant names and an authorisation code.

Ring each consultant to see who has the earliest appt. Book it using your authorisation code.

When you go, it's a one stop shop - you see the consultant, then mammogram, then ultrasound, then back to the consultant. I was in and out in less than an hour.

NHS was going to be several weeks. Private absolutely wins here for speed.

Mintypanda · 07/12/2025 13:14

Geranium879 · 07/12/2025 13:07

Am dressed, make up on, have tidied , Xmas lights on, relaxing background music on. Husband has agreed to do most of the talking. Deep breaths. Thanks everyone for your support it really makes a difference x

Take it one step a a time and focus on what you can control in your environment in the here and now. Our minds always spiral to the worst possible conclusion where health scares are concerned. The odds suggest massively that this is a cyst.

thegirlwithapearl · 07/12/2025 13:18

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 07/12/2025 12:10

AFAIK breast cancer doesn’t usually come with pain. Please try and put it out of your mind until you can see a doctor and get it sorted. All the best OP

Not that I want to frighten OP and I'm sure it's only a cyst but my first symptom was pain before even a lump.

Fends · 07/12/2025 13:28

Sounds like a cyst.

TeaBiscuitsNaptime · 07/12/2025 13:29

Don't panic just yet. I had a breast lump of the same size in the same place. I got it biopsied and it turned out to be benign. Ring for a doctors appointment in the morning and then go to your kids nativity. You're doing all the right things. One thing at a time!

Fends · 07/12/2025 13:29

Justputsomeyoghurtonit · 07/12/2025 13:14

Hi OP. Don't bother with GP. Just call Bupa or whoever. Get consultant names and an authorisation code.

Ring each consultant to see who has the earliest appt. Book it using your authorisation code.

When you go, it's a one stop shop - you see the consultant, then mammogram, then ultrasound, then back to the consultant. I was in and out in less than an hour.

NHS was going to be several weeks. Private absolutely wins here for speed.

Depends on the area. It’s a “one stop shop” at my local hospital and the GPs referral recently took 5 days