Breast lump - what did it feel like?

[londonbanana]

Hi

I've always checked my breasts on a regular basis but get so confused about what is normal. Breast tissue can be quite lumpy and every now and again I get myself in a tizzy and don't know if it's worth bothering the doctor. If you have found a cancerous breast lump, can you explain what it felt like?

Thanks

London Banana

It's worth going to the doctor if you feel something new or even aren't sure if it's new - it's not bothering them it's what they are there for, to give a professional opinion - no drama. Over time you will gradually get to know what's normal for you and then always get anything new checked out. When i have had non cancerous lumps checked out they tend to be rubbery and mobile, kind of lumpy. The gp sent me for a scan because it was in one breast only but she said they didn't feel sinister and she was right.

Any lump should be investigated, don’t leave it. I’ve had a lot of fibroadenomas and cysts, they tend to be smooth and mobile, like a bean. My tumour was hard, textured, tethered. I felt it when I moved awkwardly and it pulled so I knew immediately it was probably cancer.

I had a dimple under my boob. Went to my GP and she felt a very small lump ( about 2cm diameter). Biopsy found it to be Grade 1 breast cancer, I’m booked in for a lumpectomy next week and then radiotherapy. You must get it checked out. I’m glad I e probably caught mine early.

My colleague (45 years old at the time) couldn't feel a lump but a tiny mark appeared on her skin that looked like orange peel texture. She nearly ignored it but had it checked out and it was cancer, she's still here 12 years later.

This is exactly me!

Thanks everyone.

I phoned my GP surgery this morning about a lump I am worried about and they put me down for a call back in a weeks time - I thought they would want to see me today.

Fingers crossed it is nothing.

No lump was big- 5cm in diameter.It was sore which a lot of people will tell you means its ' just' an infection. It was also hard. So hard that it bent the needle in the biopsy. I wish i had taken a picture of it but this was before cameras in phones were much use.
It was a grade 3 cancer and i had a mastectomy and lots of chemo and radio therapy. It was 21 years ago and all dealt with very quickly.

i hope your lump is a treatable cyst or similar.

Mine felt like a pea/chick pea - hard but small. I wasn't seen for a week I think. Mammogram didn't pick it up.
It's hard not to worry, hope it's nothing @londonbanana

I agree with you about pain. Mine hurt quite a bit and low level throbbed. Initially I put it down to hormones but the other boob wasn’t affected so that was a red flag. Pain definitely can happen and can just as easily be dismissed.

Yes it’s very important to remember that not all breast cancers involve lumps. That’s why they tell you to get any breast changes checked out. Approximately 5 to 10% of cases have no definite tumour and present as microscopic clumps of cancer cells throughout the breast which only become apparent when they block the lymph ducts and cause generalised swelling of the breast and skin changes etc. By the time these changes occur the cancer is usually stage 3 so it’s very important not to delay seeking help.

My DM has been diagnosed with this kind of cancer and the first sign she had was a suddenly massively swollen breast. Luckily she went straight to her GP who got her a scan within 2 days. It was already in the lymph glands in her armpit so very lucky there were no delays.

I spoke to my GP today and they want to see me next Monday. It all feels very slow because I'll ultimately be referred to the breast clinic on a 2 week wait and with Christmas coming up, I'd prefer to get onto that list now rather than starting the process in a weeks time.

It was a hard lump but above my breast. It was 2cm in diameter. I knew straight away. Hospital was amazing and still here 7/8 years later. Hope it is okay.

I also had a 2 week wait during which we went on a planned summer holiday with our children, was the worst 2 weeks of my life but everything moved very quickly thereafter. Happy to answer any questions you might have x

Thanks @Ratbag7. What did your lump feel like? So glad you are still here!!! ♥️

I felt a small hard mass, which turned out to be a milk cyst. I was 13 weeks pp and kept getting mastitis - gp referred me for an ultrasound out of an abundance of caution and I thank my lucky stars every day that she did because when the cyst was drained a 2.7cm tumour was found behind it. I could tell by the change in the woman’s demeanour that it was cancer, we’d been talking about babies and she just suddenly looked worried and sad - she took a biopsy and when they called me telling me I needed to come in I already knew. I later discovered the damn thing had already started spreading to the lymph nodes in my arm pit so I had to have them out as well. Everything moved very quickly from then onwards, the care I had was brilliant and that tiny baby whose refusal to latch saved me is now 3.5 ❤️ good luck OP x

Just be aware that you can have breast cancer with no lumps and no symptoms. So it is best not only to get any lump or dimple or discharge checked out, but also to not skip the regular mammograms when you come of age.

Thank you! It didn’t hurt and felt hard and immovable, I’m amazed that I didn’t find it earlier but I had 4 very young children at the time and worked so wasn’t thinking about myself. Hope it all turns out okay for you xxx

Mine felt like a walnut sized lump under the skin, quite hard and I was amazed I hadn’t spotted it before. I did get treatment pretty quickly.