35 weeks pregnant with a breast lump and awaiting ultrasound

[AnonymousB95]

Hi all, I am just looking for anyone who has been in a similar situation. I am currently 35 weeks pregnant and a couple of days ago was examining my boobs as I noticed them becoming firmer due to pregnancy. I noticed a hard pea sized (if not smaller) lump around 12 o'clock above my areola on my left breast.

Obviously, I immediately panicked as I have never been in this situation before and have my first baby arriving so soon! Thankfully, I got seen by my GP 2 days later who did a thorough examination and felt the lump. He said no signs of infection and no raised lymph nodes but has referred me for an ultrasound.
The lump is hard and not noticeably moveable but does get deeper the more I press.

It's hard to tell as it's very small, just much more pronounced than the other lumpy areas around my nipple. It's painless, although if I keep pressing, the area gets slightly tender but nothing super noticeable.

Dr said he is almost certain it is some kind of swollen milk gland / pregnancy related lump - especially with it's location, but obviously cannot see it to diagnose anything. I am freaking out because it has the typical characteristics of a cancer lump. However, it doesn't appear to be growing and smooth and round.

For reference, I am 30yo, no history of BC and no other symptoms - other than being 35 weeks pregnant which is absolutely not ideal and the wait for this ultrasound now has just taken away the enjoyment of preparing for my baby girl to arrive.

Just looking for some reassurance, thank you in advance x

The first time I had a lump it was terrifying! Think my eldest was about 9 months old, it was a milk gland or something, cant remember, I was 28. I’m mid 50’s now. Since then at about 2/3 yearly intervals I get a cyst. Sometimes they drain them, sometimes not, but have done the 2wk wait thing many times now.
Remember that 9/10 breast lumps are nothing to worry about, probably even higher as you’re pregnant. Cysts feel as you describe, smooth and round. Sometimes painless, sometimes quite sore when pressed. Hormones are a big driver of cysts too.
Your totally doing the right thing getting it checked, but try not to worry unduly until you know you’ve got something to worry about. The NHS is not perfect, but it’s pretty good at this sort of thing.

Thank you for this - i'm glad you're all good! I think the timing especially has made it worse. I'm also a huge overthinker and worry before I have reason to. I have my ultrasound booked for the 29th which just seems forever away! I do however have a midwife apt tomorrow so I'm going to tell her and hope she can offer some reassurance as it seems they're common in pregnancy. Thanks again x

I've had three cancer related two week wait referrals and fortunately they have all been nothing. The closest to what you have described was a baked bean type lump that was an out of place lymph node. The consultant actually congratulated me on having found it! As my GP said, she can't tell if a lump is cancer from palpation so she'll refer absolutely everything and will take the flack from the ultrasound team if necessary - because this is how you catch the small smalllllll amount of sinister lumps early.

Also one of my referrals was when I was breastfeeding. The consultant was very excited about how "angry" my boobs were on ultrasound until he got sprayed in the face with with milk. Made me chuckle.

Not the same but I had a lump when breastfeeding and was terrified! As was initial told it was a blocked duct but when it didn’t change I got referred. Turned out to be a milk filled cyst but the wait was horrible, I was so emotional. Well done you for spotting it and getting checked, I really hope you’re one of the 9/10 and that time passes quickly for you. The waiting is the worst.