Found a firm ridge in my breast and feeling worried

[Worried19865]

Hi all,
Firstly I'm so so sorry to anyone on these boards looking for advice or just a chat with someone, I hope you are all doing well and will have a positive outcome on your journeys.

I'm 39 female, check my breasts often and I'm very in tune with my body but I'm full of self doubt and anxiety. On Sunday when taking a shower I checked my breasts like I do often and when pushing my right breast over towards my armpit I felt like a ridge, a firmer piece of tissue that I've ever felt before, it's about 3cm long, smooth all the way round and I can't actually pinch it, when I run my hand and push the other way I can't feel it. When my breasts are in a bra I can't feel it. I should say they are pretty droopy and heavy, I'm a bigger girl. I've no other changes but it just feels different to the other slightly and of course because I've poked and prodded for 2 days I can't tell if I've made it sore, its in my head or its real tenderness.
I tried to book a private gp appointment for tomorrow night but as I was filling in my details it was taken by someone else. I can't get time off to go to gp as had time off last week to take my daughter. My best friend passed away from breast cancer last year and I'm worried sick.

I will book an appointment I promise, just need to wait a day or 2 or pay for a private one like I tried to do.

Any replies or experiences welcome

Didn’t want to read & run, sorry to hear about your best friend too💐
I had similar to you last year, I was seen by GP who referred me for scans within two weeks as they weren’t sure what it was but following the hospital appointment they told me it was normal hormonal fluctuations with my cycle but I’d never had this previously and now it’s gone away. Even they said they were shocked at the difference between breasts as my right one was rock solid and as you described.
I’d still get checked like you said you will as everyone is different but hope everything goes well for you x x

You need to take time off to go, never mind you had time off last week. You need to put yourself first before work on this occasion.

Does it move? I've got a firm lump in my breast that I had checked out about 2 years ago. It's about 2cm long and 1cm wide and slightly mobile. It's basically just a hard fatty lump but if I press it too much it does feel sore. It's best to get these things checked but the majority of lumps in your breast turn out to be fine. Fingers crossed yours is too.

Hi @Megaaan23 thank you for you're reply. I'm hoping it's something similar to what you are describing. When I don't think about it or am distracted which isn't often in the past 2 days I don't feel sore. My right definitely feels firmer all the way round the side than my left and it's my bigger breast out of the 2, always has been.

Hi @HokiePokie I know you are 100% right, thank you! I do need to put myself first.

Hi @Blixem it doesn't move as such as it just feels like an oval sitting under the skin or a line maybe, very hard to describe. Thank you for taking the time to reply. I will get it looked at, need peace of mind.

I had very similar this time last year. I described it as a firm ridge to my GP and not a lump. I was sent for a consultant appointment within a week of seeing GP (GP saw me within an hour of submitting econsult form) and had mammogram and ultrasound a week after that. I was told it's nothing to be worried about, it was just firmer tissue as that breast was not loosing it's natural firmness as much as my other breast (hope that makes sense). I'm a 32gg so on the bigger side.

Could be nothing, do you have any questions about your appointment?
They will likely do a mammogram and possibly biopsy. Personally I'd push for a biopsy if there is something to feel.

Hi @ravenclaworslytherin thanks for your reply, makes total sense and to be honest that's what it kinda feels like. I'm a DD. Mine are so droopy from having lost weight years ago and the putting it back on. When I lay down they nearly go down towards my armpit, I can't feel the ridge when that happens. Did you feel it all the time or just when you had no bra on?

Hi @VividDeer I actually don't have an appointment yet but I will get one asap. I will take anything they offer and push for more just for peace of mind hopefully. Thank you.

I had similar last July, fortunately we have private health care and I was seen within 4 days. I had a physical examination, mammogram and ultrasound and was told it was tissue, with one breast acting up.

you 100% need to put yourself first, sending you lots of love

Yes I did definitely feel it more when wearing a bra, I feel like I was more aware of it then. It's definitely worth getting it checked out by GP. I was really worried when I first felt it but all medical staff were so lovely and didn't make me feel like I was being paronoid at all.

Hi @greengreengrass3 thank you for your reply, I'm so glad everyone's story so far has been a happy outcome! I hope mine will be too. I'm going to go back and look for a private appointment if I can't get my GP tomorrow, don't care what it costs. My health is more important and to be honest my sanity needs it.

Thanks @ravenclaworslytherin I will make that appointment. I'm definitely sore tonight but it's all over I think cuz I'm poked and prodded and also got my husband to do it. He said he it didn't feel any different to any other part.

To add to this, I also felt mine more when wearing a bra, I was laying in bed wearing a bra when I first felt it.

@greengreengrass3 I'm the opposite, I can't feel it when I'm wearing my bra, it's when I take it off and let them 'down' I feel it. It's great to hear other people's stories, I genuinely think the worry never ends as far as lumps and bumps are concerned.

Just an update, I saw the gp today who gave me an examination and said that she couldn't feel anything overly worrying to her but with any of these cases they are referred on to the breast clinic as a precaution. Hoping she's right.

That’s reassuring, OP. GPs know the feel of ‘sinister’ lumps, but they generally always refer when it comes to anything breast related.I’ve had quite a few experiences over the years of lumps appearing from nowhere. I had a fibroid removed, then around 5 years ago, one of my breast hardened and totally changed shape. It was very alarming. I had a mammogram and scan and all was fine, they couldn’t tell me why but at certain times of the month, I seem to have lumpy tissue. This time though, when I went to the GP, even she looked worried. I’m sure all will be okay from what you’ve described, but until you’ve been given the all clear, it’s impossible to relax.

I’m so sorry about your friend.

Thank you for your reply @MamaToABeautifulBoy. It's crazy hearing all these stories and how much trouble and worry breasts cause. I'm still having trouble not worrying, my anxiety is telling me the doctor was lying and just saying that to ease me before they tell me at the referral appointment! Crazy I know, my mind is awful to me! Thank you for thinking of my friend, she was the best person in the world and missed terribly. How are you now? From the last part of your msg I gather you are going through something. ❤