Breast checking... What is a lump & what is just a bump?

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I've never been very good at checking my breasts but, for various reasons (not to do with my health) have decided to start. The problem is, since having the dcs my boobs have become quite ...bumpy, full of lots of small round lumps which are quite hard, and seem teardrop shaped. They vary a little in size and I just wonder how I would differentiate a worrying lump from them.

Bump...

Bump again

When you get pregnant the fat in the breasts becomes breast tissue,so they would have less fat and the lumpy breast texture is probably easier to feel.I think the idea is to get used to the feel of what is normal and then you notice any differences?

Thanks helly, that makes sense - I suppose it'll just take a few goes to work out 'normal' and then take it from there. Do you know if suspect lumps ever have a different feel to them compared to healthy tissue?

I think they do feel different, but I've not had a dodgy lump, so can't describe it. I did have a lump that I had ultrasound on, thankfully it was just a milk cyst. That did feel different to the rest of my breast, but was very tender so I didn't prod it all that much.

I think you just need to observe by sight and feel how your breasts are normally and you'd recognise any changes- don't prod with your fingers but use the flat of your hand - the Breast Cancer Care website has advice on checking.

It's not just lumps that you need to watch for, either. Changes in shape, hang, density, skin texture are all considerations that may - possibly - be indicative of unwanted changes. Checking is good - but I'd say be vigilant, not paranoid. The line is a hard one to draw, I know

Thankyou I didn't know the best way to check is with a flat hand, and I'll try to be more aware of appearance, tho to be honest I have always tended to avoid looking at my boobs so it'll be a first..

arf !