lump - how long do I wait?

[SouthWestmom]

So nearly mid cycle, sore breast/arm for a few days so had a feel. Smooth large pebble like lump under my nipple. Breast is sore, as is armpit and neck.
Complication is I have a condition on that side which causes tingling, numbness so I don't know if I'm just worrying now.
Dh has confirmed the lump so that's not in my head.

You don't wait. Make an appointment tomorrow.

Really? I thought they might want to know if it had been there a while.
Can go Friday, just am always there (for the children, most of whom have some form of health care need)

You don't need to wait at all. If it turns out to be nothing then your mind will be put at rest sooner. If it is something then best to be dealt with sooner rather than later.

Ok. Will do sit and wait on Friday.
Hopefully it's some thing cycle related.

Its still there today, that side is sore and my shoulder is painful.
I have to be out of county for work today so slightly more worried now.
However Google tells me pain and smooth lumps are usually a better sign? Does anyone know?

Most breast lumps turn out to be nothing sinister. I had early breast cancer requiring surgery. It was never painful. Most of the women I know with bc haven't had pain.

Suggest you step away from Google and get to your gp

Go to your gp asap and get referred to an expert. Please don't wait.

I found a lump a few years ago and my gp was really helpful. Ended up getting a private referral as had insurance through work, got an examination, mammogram and biopsy. Had to have an op to remove the lump but thankfully it turned out to be nothing

I was told by the consultant that cancerous lumps tend not to be painful.

Thanks both I've just got back from work.

All day I've had sore shoulder blade and armpit and tender breast - also a blinding headache so am prob a bit stressed after googling.

I can get there tomorrow I think.

Keep feeling it to check it's still there! It is, but is bigger than it first feels lying down.

You don't wait. You go ASAP

Ok thank you all. Been referred for assessment at the clinic within two weeks.

So glad you went. Hope the next two weeks passes quickly for you.

Thank you - am slightly more stressed now, was hoping they'd be all like 'leave it, it's fine'

You've done the right thing. I had a lump a good few years ago, was referred and had ultrasound and a core biopsy. Was a fibroadenoma. At the time I wished the doctor had said oh it's nothing but after, I was glad i had been properly checked. They simply cannot tell by feeling. Good luck

Thanks that's reassuring.

Has anyone had a lump, pain in their shoulder blade and tenderness and it been ok?

I'm really stressed about this now

Has anyone had a lump, pain in their shoulder blade and tenderness and it been ok?
Yes, not specifically in shoulder blade but pain was radiating all over chest and upper back. I found a large lump near nipple, was even able to see it when I lay down
Saw GP the next day who made urgent referral to the breast clinic.
Had ultrasound and mammogram, followed by needle aspiration (which I hardly felt at all). Huge relief to see all the fluid in the syringe as the lump disappeared.
Was told it was due to hormonal fluctuations (I was mid cycle) and that there were other smaller cysts in the breast and to come back for further aspiration if they got big enough to bother me.
I was fine, the tenderness was cyclic for a few years then stopped.
I found the mammogram painful because breast was so tender. So you might want to take painkillers before your appointment.
Good luck

Ah okay that's a good plan. Thanks for sharing some good news.

Now I've got neck pain that side , arm pain etc - funny how once it's a 'thing' it's really sensitive.

Naturally you are very anxious right now and you are totally focussed on this lump and any pain. You have arranged to be checked out, now try to do other things because your anxiety can cause all sorts of unusual feelings. With my experience above I was a wreck so I paid to go private and had ultrasound and core biopsy the next day. It cost me loads but I still think it was money well spent because 2 weeks of that worry was too much for me. If you can't do that then get very very busy doing something else

I don't think we can afford to do it privately. I'm trying to work out the time scale - referral sent off Friday should arrive Monday, doctors strike will set back two days ? , so maybe by Friday I will have a date.

A friend of mine was recently referred and she was seen exactly 2 weeks later. You have to be seen within 2 weeks.

Just seen this - they rang today and I have an appointment on 9th May - seems ages away now!

That's good. Hope it goes quickly. Are you still feeling sore?

Yes but I think I've lost the ability to tell!

I'm convinced I have a pain in my back where the lump would be (on the other side) when I breathe.

I'm sure it will be fine. It's just an odd period of time - a bit either or

You might have pulled a muscle in that area. I had pain in my breast once, really painful but it turned put to be muscle strain from doing weights!! I'd pulled a pectoral muscle. Wishing you luck.

I wish - it's a definite lump. Felt by me, dh and the GP.

I'm okay. Just want to find out

I was referring to the pain you feel, particularly in your back. You might be linking to separate things . Good to get a definitive though from the right place and to get biopsied and scanned. I know someone who was sent away by their GP who said their lump was nothing to worry about, 3 years later it was cancer. So please ALL of you with a lump, push for a referral, they can only get an idea from feeling, only further tests will give the real reason.