Have found painful lump type thing in my breast

[plantwoman]

Hello
I just wondered if anyone can give me any guidance?
a few weeks ago I found a painful area at the top of my breast towards my underarm.
I am afraid to admit I don't check my breasts as regularly as I should so I am not that familiar with what's normal for me.
I had my period at the time, so I guessed that that wasn't the best time to be checking for lumps?
However the painful area is still there - it's not a definite lump though, it feels more like the kind of lumpy breast tissue that you normally feel in your breasts.
I suppose i expected that if I ever found anything unusual it would feel more 'lump like' if that makes sense - like a pea or something.
I know i should probably go to the doctors but I tend to try and avoid them if at all possible!
Any help would be gratefully received.
TIA

You do know what everyone is going to say don't you?

Go to the doctor. Take a deep breath and do it. There's every chance that it's a cyst or something and you probably don't have any reason to worry, but the only way you'll find out is the doctor. Pick up the phone now.

yes you're right.
I have rung the doctor. Thanks

well done -it's probably nothing - you might well have been pressing too hard with your fingertips-then breast tissue feel knobbly or else you find yourself pressing your ribs ! Doctors usually examine with their palms,kind of rolling their hands over the breasts.

excellent - let us know what the doctor says.