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Original poster

Small Lump in Breast

27 replies

JoJoMummy321 · 06/07/2012 10:22

Hi all.
I have this morning found a tiny hard lump in my breast under my areola. It's round and much smaller than even a pea. I can only feel it when I really try but I can kind of lift it to the surface and then see it under the skin.

I am so worried. Have made an appointment to get checked out but feel quite sick. It's so tiny its impossible to say if its smooth or not.

I know most lumps are not cancer but it doesn't fit the description of any of the benign things on other websites so I can only think its something sinister.

Can anyone offer any thought?

Thanks ver much.

OP posts:
IsLovingAndGiving · 06/07/2012 10:27

I had something like this around 6 yrs ago. It has hard and smooth & pea like. I was referred - as I'm sure all breast lumps are - they scanned it & took a needle sample from it. It turned out to be a cyst & has been left alone.

Don't worry - it sounds very smalls. Hope the doctor can reassure you.

badtasteflump · 06/07/2012 12:00

I know how you feel and it's horrible so am sending you un-mumsnetty

Is the lump quite mobile? Ie, you say you can move it around... usually that's a good sign I think Smile.

How soon is your appointment?

Original poster
JoJoMummy321 · 06/07/2012 12:06

Thanks so much for your replies. I don't think it moves much, I think its the skin on top that I can move if that makes sense. It's so small like a ball bearing or even smaller. Appointment not til 16th July but trying to go sooner as am worried sick.

Thanks again.

OP posts:
badtasteflump · 06/07/2012 12:09

You probably know all the statistics about how most lumps turn out to be nothing - and the fact that it's so small is really positive.

But just to prevent you having days and days of worrying, I would call the docs back and say you need to see the doc asap - why are they making you wait so long?

Original poster
JoJoMummy321 · 06/07/2012 12:15

We are just about to move to a new area so I had to just take a regular appointment but when we get there I can call and get an appointment on the day I think. I just feel like that appointment won't really tell me anything as I will be referred I am sure. I know I just need to be patient but am very stressed. Do you think the fact its so tiny is good?

OP posts:
badtasteflump · 06/07/2012 12:24

Well (and I'm no expert BTW, this is just through experience with me & other family members) - something like 90% of all lumps found turn out to be nothing to worry about.

And I don't know how it works with referrals - IMO doctors like to err on the side of caution, so don't freak out if they do refer you Smile.

But re the size, even if^ it did turn out to be something more worrying, the fact that it's tiny would mean that it's very easily treatable - finding these things early is the key Smile

Honestly, I would ring the docs where you are now, explain the situation and ask if you can be tagged on at the end of surgery or something. They are usually pretty good about fitting you in if it's something like that...

Stepmumm · 06/07/2012 12:31

JoJo - I went through this recently. The govt targets are once the doctor has seen you (he may tell you what he thinks there and then - mine did, but I still worried), he will probably still refer you to your hospital to get it properly checked and you will receive the hospital appt within 2 weeks. At the hospital appt, if its a cyst they will tell you there and then and drain if you wish. If they're not sure they'll take a sample for tests.

I would try and get a dr appt asap just to speed up the process and stop the worrying - that's the worst bit.

Hope that helps.

Original poster
JoJoMummy321 · 06/07/2012 12:32

Thanks so much. I will call them on Monday and will try not to worry so much. It's so tiny, almost like a little seed!!

OP posts:
Stepmumm · 06/07/2012 12:33

PS re the size - mine was quite large, 50pence size. If you've only just noticed it - then it can't have been there long and if it is anything as badtastelump says its easily treatable. Also, lumps appear nearer your monthly cycle, so that may have a bearing.

badtasteflump · 06/07/2012 12:34

Stepmumm - sorry to be nosey, but what did yours turn out to be?

Tell me to Eff off if you like Smile

ThatllDoPig · 06/07/2012 12:41

I'd phone and say you need an apt asap. Say the stress of waiting is affecting your sleep, work, relationship anything. You shoudn't have to wait that long.

Original poster
JoJoMummy321 · 06/07/2012 12:42

I will do. It's such a worry and thus should be such an exciting weekend as we are moving house but all I can think about is this. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
ThatllDoPig · 06/07/2012 12:49

Good. Might be a bit of waiting around at the end of surgery until gp can fit you in, but it will be worth it. Then you can enjoy the weekend, moving perfect distraction, and you will know you have done all you can to look after yourself.
let us know how it goes.

Stepmumm · 06/07/2012 12:51

Badtaste - I don't mind at all, I know how worried I was. It was a cyst :)

The dr said he thought it was a cyst, but would refer me just to make sure, the dr examined me at the hospital said she thought it was a cyst - then sent me for a mammogram, then ultrasound just to be sure. At the ultrasound they said straight away it was a cyst and did I want it drained - if so I could watch it disappear. Which I did :)

badtasteflump · 06/07/2012 13:00

Thats good Smile

crikeybill · 06/07/2012 13:17

I work in a breast screening unit in South London. Can I ask how old you are ? You may be able to be seen quicker if you are over 50.

PP is quite right with regards the referral. Once you have asked to be referred ( which you CAN do, dont be fobbed off by the GP telling you to come back in a month as they always try and blame it on a womens menstral cycles ) you will be seen within 2 weeks.

A small lump behind the areola is usually a cyst but you are doing the right thing in getting it checked.

graciesmall09 · 06/07/2012 15:21

I would reiterate what the others have said and agree that most lumps prove to be harmless cysts. However, I would be inclined to push for an earlier GP appointment as it is best to get these things sorted quickly, even just for piece of mind. Thinking of you.

Original poster
JoJoMummy321 · 06/07/2012 17:24

Thank you so much for your comments and thoughts. I will get to the gp on Monday. Would love to go today but moving from one end if the country to the other so it wouldn't work if my current gp referred me!

I really hope its nothing. It is minuscule so I'm hoping that's a good sign. In fact I have to really pinch under my skin to find. I'm 35 so hopefully that goes in my favour too.

OP posts:
Stepmumm · 09/07/2012 22:38

Jojo, hope the move and drs went okay x

Original poster
JoJoMummy321 · 11/07/2012 10:28

Hello!
The move went well although still lots of unpacking and organising to do. I don't know where to start!

I registered at the Drs on Monday and had an appointment yesterday. Dr was really lovely, very calming and when he realised how worried I was he started off by saying how uncommon breast cancer is at my age (35). He then had a look and struggled to find it so I had to show him where it was. It really is little and you kind of have to pinch it to feel it otherwise it just vanishes!

Dr then got a book out and showed me a diagram of the breast, showed me that the lump isn't in the breast tissue, but more in the little area/ducts (?) closer to the nipple. He said he is 99% sure it's nothing (he might have said calcification but I've read so much lately I may be making that up!) but he said he will refer me anyway as he doesn't deal in percentages and wants to be 100% sure.

So I feel much better now...he said I should be seen very soon but to let him know if it changes or if I don't have an appointment by the end of the month. I checked and the new local hospital seems excellent.

I did make an appointment privately when I was really panicking but as we don't have insurance now (DH's new job - hence reason for move!) I think I will just wait for the regular one to come through as private is £££ and moving has been expensive. I would like the 100% peace of mind sooner rather than later but with the Drs reassurance I don't think I can justify the cost.

Thanks for asking how it went. My DH is great but I am always very anxious about health issues so to him this is just another one of my moments!!

OP posts:
badtasteflump · 11/07/2012 10:31

All sounds good then Smile.

A doctor wouldn't say he was was 99% sure it's nothing if he thought there were any possibility it was something sinister, so try not to worry about the referral (easy to say, I know)...

Original poster
JoJoMummy321 · 11/07/2012 10:39

Thanks! I do feel much better as I was in a right old state yesterday morning. I was dreading the Dr saying something like "Hmm...not to sure about this lump let's get you referred". I know it's not 100% ok but I agree with you that Drs don't generally offer these opinions if they are not as sure as they can be.

Will try and forget about referral until it comes. I really need to stop poking around at this little lump too! It's hard not to though isn't it!

I have to say, the Dr I saw yesterday was so lovely. He's not the one I've been registered with but mine wasn't in yesterday and I wanted to be seen asap. Wonder if I can ask to be changed to this Dr? Not sure if you have much say in these things!

OP posts:
badtasteflump · 11/07/2012 10:41

You could ask - maybe say that now you've seen him and he's aware of your situation, you would rather be registered with him for future appointments? Lovely doctors are worth hanging on to!

Original poster
JoJoMummy321 · 11/07/2012 11:00

Think I might give it a try! Poor Dr...doesn't realise that his lovely manner has just landed him a patient who is super anxious about everything medical!!

OP posts:
MaryAnnSingleton · 11/07/2012 11:23

glad you are being referred- always safest to have these things checked out - if you are feeling wibbly you are most welcome to join us on the tamoxifen thread for a hand hold and reassurance, plus our amberlight knows all about statistics ! over here!

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