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General health

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Original poster

Stupid question, breast lumps

5 replies

skettle · 12/02/2006 19:29

Ive been suffering from pains in the chest for the past month or so, Ive been backwards and fowards to the doctor who isnt really interested. Anyway tonight I realised that these pains could actually be in the breast rather than the chest itself. Ive never done a 'lump' test so dont really know what I should be looking for but when I checked myself over I felt lots of hard bumps inside both breasts...Im assuming they're supposed to be there?? How do you determine a 'bad lump'? or at least one that isnt supposed to be there?

OP posts:

Flossam · 12/02/2006 19:32

Skettle that is probably your breast tissue. A lump is probably (usually) more distinctive. I'll try and find a diagram for you.

Flossam · 12/02/2006 19:33

how to check properly

If you are still concerned please go and see your GP.

WigWamBam · 12/02/2006 19:37

If your GP runs a Well Woman clinic you can make an appointment to see the nurse there, who will check your breasts for you and can show you how to do it yourself properly.

edam · 12/02/2006 19:38

I had the same confusion the first time I tried to examine my breasts, aged about 14. Actually went to the GP.

I know your GP isn't interested, but just to be really really overcautious, it's worth pushing him/her. One of my best friends had a pain in her breasts for several months. When she finally got round to seeing her GP he was very reassuring, but sent her for a scan just in case. Consultant reassured her that although there was a miniscule lump, it was spherical and therefore would be benign. But she pushed to have it taken out. Turns out it was cancerous, but caught at such an early stage (only 15mm) that she's almost certainly going to be fine - although there was one malignant cell in the surrounding tissue so she's got to have chemo and radiotherapy. If she hadn't pushed, if she'd been satisfied with being told everything was fine, things might have been very different. She's only 36 so very young for breast cancer which is probably why her GP and consultant were so convinced it would be fine.

Basically, I'm saying harass your GP - just because it would be very unusual for it to be a problem doesn't mean s/he can write it off.

HTH

SHHHH · 12/02/2006 21:00

I agree with edam. It may be nothing but you are better going back to your gp.

After having dd and while bf I also noticed a lump which my gp agreed with. She suggested leaving it a few weeks and if it was still there to come back and would be referred..to which there would be a few months waiting list.

I pushed there and then to be referred which I was

..once home and after speaking to dh he told me to book the appointment privatly (he knew he & I would spend the whole time worrying) to which I did and got an appointment within 4 days.
I saw a private consultant who reasurred me it was nothing and that I was examing myself incorrectly. NOT SOMETHING ME GP HAD PICKED UP ON.
He has shown me the correct way and was glad that I had made the decision to persue it further. Relief within 5 minutes. I could have kissed him!!! BTW I am only 26 and knew I was young but I would rather be safe than sorry.

HTH. XX

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