Breast cysts - any experiences?

[snowdrop12345]

I have recently been to the Dr twice over a month at different points in my cycle. She has found a 'lumpy area' both times and has referred me to the breast clinic. She said she doesn't think there's anything nasty in there and said it's just a cyst, but the two week referral has concerned me. She mentioned that they might drain it to reduce the discomfort.

My breast is more painful the last two weeks of the month, but it's also uncomfortable the other two weeks. I also have an strange feeling in my upper arm and armpit.

I have googled breast cyst and I'm getting freaked out by the results all talking about cancer. I can't really find any stories about just a cyst. Has anyone had one and what were your symptoms?

Hi snowdrop,
I had a cyst about 10 years ago, it felt like a lump but was mobile and they sent me to the breast clinic where the doc felt it and the did an ultrasound as I was only 24 breast tissue was too dense for a mammogram. It looked on the scan like a perfectly round circle completely black inside which the doc informed me was fluid. As it didn't hurt we just chose to leave it there. I have now found a recent lump which I'm waiting to go to the clinic to check again.. My doc told me any lump in the breast is referred as suspected cancer and the wait is usually 2 weeks. I know it's easier said than done as I'm freaking out about one of my breasts as it just doesn't feel right but please try and remember something like 90% of lumps are harmless cysts etc. Xx

I found a lump in my breast a few years ago, GP examined me and said she could feel it and also that i had 'very lumpy breasts' but she thiught it was a cyst.
I was referred and had a mammogram (not fun) which confirmed there was a lump, most likely a cyst, so they did a biopsy and drew out yellow fluid. It was an 'oily cyst' and no further action was required.
(The biopsy was no fun, either, when I asked the doctor if I could have any pain relief he said it wasn't necessary. i asked him how he'd like to have fluid extracted from his testicle with a long needle without anaesthetic and he said it wasn't the same thing at all. Well, he would say that, wouldn't he?)

I got recalled after a routine mammogram because there was an 'area they wanted to look at in more detail'. I completely freaked out ..,

I had an ultrasound which showed several cysts and had a few of them drained (but had local anaesthetic and a lovely female doctor). Then I had to have another mammogram to check that was what had shown up first time round.

Apparently they tend to increase when you're heading for the menopause and decrease once you're through it.

First of all don't be concerned by the 2 week time frame - that is standard if you get referred to the breast clinic. And secondly, yes I've had a cyst which I could move around and was not painful (apparently pain is a really good sign it is nothing sinister so obviously, having discovered that on Dr Google I panicked! This is usually the case though so your pain is a good sign!!) The vast majority (can't remember the exact statistics) of women that are referred to the breast clinic are absolutely fine so bear that in mind too.

I was seen within 2 weeks (much less than that I think.) the ultrasound immediately showed that it was a cyst and I was sent on my way. Obviously I yours is painful then yes they may drain it.

Please try not to worry

When I stopped BF DS, I found some lumps. Was seen in a couple of weeks and ended up having two cysts drained. Not a painful process at all, no side effects etc.

Hope all goes well.

I had a lump biopsied this time last year. It was causing pain and discomfort most of the month but was excruciating when my period was due. I visited the dr on a Friday, was referred to the breast clinic and they called me with an appt' the following Wednesday. The quickness did make me panic a little. After a mammogram and examination they found a cyst which they then biopsied (local anaesthetic, didn't hurt). The biopsy was fine, watching the ultrasound screen was fascinating and the relief after she had put the needle in was extreme, the pressure was released.
All was fine and non cancerous, I got the results the following Monday. So from first dr's appt to results was 11 days, I'm so grateful it was so fast.

What my consultant did advise though was to take a Borage oil supplement (higher dose than evening primrose oil) and it honestly makes such a difference.

I have had a number of them over the last 5/6 years and four that have got infected and required antibiotics. To be honest, with the last couple I haven't even bothered going to the doctors. My breasts were always prone to being painful at points during my cycle, and I don't think it's coincidence that two of my infected ones were exactly four weeks apart. I am menopausal or at least peri (don't really know as I have a mirena and no bleeding) and the specialist told me they would stop post menopause.

I have had a few drained which is normally painless but did once hurt like hell! I do find mammograms very painful though but that might just be me and my lumpy breasts!

Good luck!

Thanks everybody. I'm trying not to worry but I do have a bit of health anxiety which isn't helping. Also when I google "breast cyst", I am not happy about getting results for breast cancer!

Tarty that doctor sounds horrible. Some of them really do just see the body parts not the person...

Rumtopf your symptoms sound very similar to mine. The appointment will likely be at my PMT time so not a good time for a mammogram if I have to have one (I'm late 30's so hopefully not). I will look into Borage oil, I'm taking evening primrose but I've only had it for a week so far.

Snowdrop, I was 36 so qualified for a mammogram and honestly am pleased that I did. It put my mind to rest that there wasn't something deeper that they'd missed. Wear something comfy and easy to pull down, I had a vest top with built in support so I could just pull the straps and top part down and didn't feel entirely exposed with my top half bare. Be prepared for them to manhandle your breasts, in a very gentle and straightforward manner. Take someone supportive as although I'm generally a tough old bird I was a bit stressed and wobbly afterwards.

Taking EPO is good but often not high enough in the important ingredient (GLA) you'd have to take too many and risk an iffy tummy from all the oil. Wait and see what your consultant advises. Wishing you well.

I'm more concerned about having them squashed at that time of the month, they are agony when something even touches them.

I've just been to the breast clinic. I have a cluster of about a dozen cysts in one breast and a couple in the other. I had mammograms (a bit ouchy but bearable) and ultrasounds. They were comfortable that they were all fluid filled and fine. I have very lumpy boobs and if I went to get every lump checked I would never be out of the doctors, so I just go every so often. It's hard not to worry (particularly as my mum had breast cancer when she was only a few years older than I am now) but the vast majority of lumps are benign.

I find Well woman plus (the one with the vitamin pill and the oil pill) helps with the luteal phase discomfort.

Thats so interesting rumtopf re: the borage oil. I have been to the breast clinic twice in the past 18 months (most recently 1 month ago) about a painful and lumpy left boob. They never mammogram me (i'm 38, but apparently have dense breasts so ultrasound is better for me) and the ultrasounds show nothing untoward.

I am now taking 3 capsules (so 3000mg) of evening primrose per day - it has massively helped with the stabbing pain I get in the left breast to the point where I virtually have no pain at all, but I did begin to wonder whether it was affecting my bowels as I have to run to the bathroom first thing every morning for a slightly loose bowel movement. Of course I start googling change in bowel habits & self diagnose myself....you can imagine!

But so interesting to read that about Borage oil, i'm going to give it a try as whilst the EPO is working, it is definitely upsetting my tummy.

Good luck OP - the 2 week wait can be a nightmare so do try not to google too much (I'm such a hypocrite saying that as I know I got neck / shoulder pain during my wait due to constant googling on my phone!! Obvs then I diagnosed myself with something else gruesome - gosh I think i've got mild HA!), but those google searches do always tend to lead you to cancer forums and you end up convincing yourself that all your symptoms match.

I have very fibrous breast tissue which makes them feel lumpy generally

A couple of years ago I felt a lump - within 2 weeks I was called to the breat clinic for a mammogram and ultrasound where a lump of 3½x1½ cm was detected. I had a needle biopsy without pain relief but it didn't hurt as much as the lump did - they filled a 75ml syringe which reduced the lump by 2/3.

The result of the lab was that this was a benign necrotic cyst - basically like a decomposing bruise-lump. I must have hit my breast. They said it would disappear without treatment. I mostly has - I can still feel a sort of deflated balloon

Hi what was the outcome to your mammogram snowdrop? I’m experiencing similar x