Breast changes and lump

[roomforthree]

I stopped breastfeeding about a year ago. After lactation ceased, I noticed that both nipples were sunken, but appeared normal if stimulated. I mentioned this to my GP recently and she said that it was normal to experience such changes after feeding, and was unlikely to be anything to worry about as it had affected both sides.

A couple of months ago, I thought I felt a lump. My breasts are very small, and I can feel my ribs through the tissue, so I dismissed it. However, today, I can feel a definite hard, pea-sized lump.

Obviously, I need to see the GP, but I wondered if anyone else had experienced this? Any positive stories to stop me from worrying tonight.

Thanks.

Bump

Hi, wish I could take away your worry tonight, but really only your GP can do that for you. Our awareness these days is a good thing but it can make you worry, on the other hand, the sooner you get these things checked out the better. Good Luck & hope you sleep.

Agree with Siggy- go to GP - try not to worry too much.

Thanks both.

if you need any handholding from those who've been through this & know the anxiety then do pop over to the tamoxifen thread here

If there's a definite lump, I'd guess your GP will refer you to a Breast Clinic at the hospital. Don't let that panic you though, as 9 out of 10 referrals end up as something benign. And as MAS says come over to Tamoxifen thread if you want to. We know the system and procedures backwards.

Thank you both, and sorry that you've had to experience such an awful disease. I've had a quick scan through your thread, and I'm amazed how upbeat you all are, i'm not sure i could be as strong as you.

I'm at the surgery now, the gp kindly agreed to see
me at the end of clinic.

Let us know how you get on then. Happened to me a year only a year ago, so I really do know how scary it is. Honestly though, chances are it's a cyst or something. x

yes,fingers crossed for you x

And to add a reassuring story, yes, I've had what I thought was a hard pea sized lump - though breast specialist (I was referred by GP) instantly knew it was 'just glandular' and not what he would call hard at all.

He did biopsy it for me, and he was right. So hang in there, as Smee rightly says 9/10 lumps are benign - don't panic if you're referred, its just good practice and the best thing for any GP to do!

Thanks for the support everyone.

Gp has referred me to the breast clinic but she is fairly sure that it is nothing to be concerned about. Non-urgent referral, so may have to wait for a while before I get an appointment.

ah well that sounds sensible and reassuring. You are still most welcome to chat on the thread if you want any reassurance !

That's great - very sensible to get it all checked. Let us know you're okay when you get it confirmed.

hi roomforthree

I am waiting for an appointment at the breast clinic as well. I saw my GP 3 weeks ago, it is worrying, I know how you feel. Although we lead busy lives as mums, work, looking after the house, little thoughts do creep in. It's the unknown at the moment, isn't it?
Hang in there, and be good to yourself in the meantime!!! xx

Wishing you well too then, oprahfan. Surely your appointment must be through soon?? Seems cruel to make you wait that long.

Hi oprahfan, sorry you've had to wait. Hope you get your appointment soon. It's horrible not knowing. Like you, I'm trying to keep busy, and when I do start to dwell on it, I remind myself that the stats are in my favour.

Had a little weep when dh got home from work last night. I'm generally strong, but a little bit of sympathy sets me off.

roomforthree, having a bit of a cry sounds very healthy to me. Seriously if you're worried or want to vent a bit, come over and say hi on the Tamoxifen thread. We quite often have women on there who are about to go for a referral appointment. Mostly, they end up as clear, which is brilliant, but everyone on there has been through it, so knows how scary it is. Take care. x

Hi I have come over from the Tamoxifen thread, where I live with my new wonderful friends. I started having bloody discharge from both breasts in Oct. I have been through the wait for an appointment, the ultrsound scan and mammogram, that they will almost certainly giv you. With me they found an 8mm mass in one breast, inside a milk duct, they did a biopsy and decided it was almost certainly benign, but it had to come out anyway to be on the safe side. I had the surgery just two weeks ago, they found more and removed more, but I am healing well, whilst waiting for my results. I have three young dc, including one disabled little ds, and did all the crying and anxiety you are going through. I hope you can listen to the good advice you have been given, and get through this awful time ok, I a sending you my very best thoughts.

Smee - Thank you

Sparkle - Sounds like you've had a tough time, but I'm glad to hear that you're on the mend. Hope that the results are clear.

I also have 3dc, one with sn. They are doing an excellent job of stopping me moping around .

They are good at that aren't they I am assuming no news is good news at the moment, and feeling optimistic. Hope you can feel more optimistic soon too.