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Original poster

Lump in breast

29 replies

Creamcrackersandricecakes · 02/10/2021 17:21

Last night I was checking my breasts when I happened upon an extremely tender spot. Upon feeling further I was horrified to discover a largeish lump under the surface. It's on the outside edge of my right breast, below my armpit. It feels smooth and I can move it around with my fingers, which my frantic googling has led me to believe it's more likely to be a cyst?
I am quite frankly petrified - I have terrible generalised anxiety and health anxiety anyway, so this is my absolute worst nightmare. It definitely wasn't there a week or so ago. I have no history of brerast cancer in my family, but I know that's irrelevant.
I've emailed my GP and requested an appointment - I used their symptom checker which concluded I needed to be seen within three days, so now I have to wait for them to call me.
I'm trying not to google any more, but I keep looking at my DD and imagining leaving her. I haven't told my DH yet as he has MH issues of his own and this will send him in to a panic. I can cope better on my own until I know what's going on.
Would love a hand hold!

OP posts:
Nikki360 · 02/10/2021 17:30

Hello I have had many many many cysts I'm a regular at the breast clinic. It sounds from what you are describing very much like a cyst. I know every time I find one the only way to know for sure is to get a ultrasound. Since I've had all these cysts I've found out there is so many lumps and bumps you can get that are not serious. Nine out of 10 are absolutely fine which I know because I have health anxiety as well doesn't make you feel better. If you lie down and kind of hold it in place with one hand and then with your other hand use your finger to press on it you can sometimes feel that it's fluid filled which is a cyst. Do not panic though if it's hard because they can be ! Please feel free to message me anytime after know how scary it is xx

Original poster
Creamcrackersandricecakes · 02/10/2021 17:34

Thank you Nikki, I really appreciate your kind words. I'm just hoping my GP takes it seriously and sends me to the breast clinic. I'm dreading being told, 'Let's just leave it for a bit and see what happens', (I do know realistically they won't do that, but my mind is running away with me!)

OP posts:
Nikki360 · 02/10/2021 17:40

I really get how scary it is your mind always goes to the worst places. I found my first cyst when I was 32 I'm now 45 and I have had so many I've lost count. They tell me menopause should help ! I've had some of them drained and some they just leave. The gp won't fob you off they tend to just refer you. If he /she doesn't then just tell them you would prefer just to be referred. It usually takes two weeks for app x

Beamur · 02/10/2021 17:42

You should get on a fairly prompt referral. Most breast lumps are harmless but it is scary - I've been there too. Mine was just lumpy tissue from hormonal changes. Good luck!

minimoojo · 02/10/2021 17:49

Hello op I recently had the same experience finding some smooth mobile lumps. Went for ultrasound and mammogram and they were cysts. At the same time the consultant found another small lump and took a needle biopsy the same day, they said they were pretty sure it was not cancer but they always check these. this turned out to be a fibroadenoma. I was seen and checked in one day and had results 2.5 weeks later. All the best hope your checks go ok and try not to worry too much Thanks

Original poster
Creamcrackersandricecakes · 02/10/2021 17:57

Thank you Beamur and minimoojo; I'm feeling better reading your reassuring posts. x

OP posts:
minimoojo · 02/10/2021 18:55

@Creamcrackersandricecakes I have terrible health anxiety too, so completely understand how you feel! Once I had contacted the docs and got referred I tried to stay calm knowing the best thing to do is to get things moving and get checked out so you are doing the very best thing and the hospitals are so good at doing what they do. Smile

PippaOwl · 03/10/2021 13:44

You're describing a fibroadenoma so try and keep calm! I know this is very difficult - I had all this a couple of years ago and was panic stricken. My GP felt it and said she was convinced it was just a fibroadenoma but referred me. I only got through the two weeks to the appointment because I kept thinking of her reassurances

Ask for a face to face appointment so they can feel it and hopefully reassure you and refer you. After all, GPS are being encouraged to start seeing patients properly again

And try and stay calm. I know it's difficult but you'll be fine

Original poster
Creamcrackersandricecakes · 03/10/2021 16:07

Thanks PippaOwl, I'm keeping busy today and trying not to dwell on it. Luckily I have an 8 month old pup who is into everything and requires constant supervision!

OP posts:
Original poster
Creamcrackersandricecakes · 05/10/2021 20:53

I spoke to the GP on the phone today - she was very nice and asked me lots of questions. She's decided there's no need for me to go in and see her and has referred me straight to the breast clinic. As she put it, "if you can feel it, then it's there - there's no point in me feeling it too. Let's just get things moving."
So now I have to wait for the breast clinic to get in touch; she said to call her back if I haven't heard anything by the end of the week and she'll give them a nudge. So hopefully I'll be seen sooner rather than later.

OP posts:
Nikki360 · 05/10/2021 22:55

That's great I'm sure you will be seen very soon they are very good at seeing you quickly.

Original poster
Creamcrackersandricecakes · 27/10/2021 12:29

So just to update, my appointment is today. It should have been last week, (15 days after referral), but was cancelled the day before and rescheduled to today. So I'm 22 days on from being referred, which I'm not too thrilled about, but I guess it can't be helped. Very nervous, will update later. Halloween Smile

OP posts:
LastToBePicked · 27/10/2021 12:36

How it all goes well OP.

I have been there too and almost lost my mind with worry (didn’t help at all that my GP sounded very negative when she checked out the lump - it wasn’t a cyst like one like yours sounds to be, and she sounded very concerned about it!). I was an absolute state in the breast clinic but the consultant and nurses etc were so kind and I had a straightforward all clear within an hour.

Familyband · 27/10/2021 12:43

Hi OP. Hope you get on ok today. Just by way of some encouragement, breast cancer is pretty rife in my Mum's side of our family, so we count as high risk. Mum has had it twice and her Mum died from it. Despite this, between myself and my two sisters, we've had numerous lumps and none of them have ever been more than cysts. Not sure of the statistics, but a huge majority of breast lumps are completely benign. Hope you get some good news.

ThankYouVeryMuchGerry · 27/10/2021 14:17

Hope you get on OK today and that they can reassure you its a cyst.
I've got my appointment on Saturday and I'm dreading it!

minimoojo · 27/10/2021 15:01

Hope it goes ok OP. Thanks

Original poster
Creamcrackersandricecakes · 27/10/2021 16:02

Oh the relief. 3 small cysts found, probably linked to peri menopause. No treatment required. Thank you everyone who reassured me! ThanksThanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Creamcrackersandricecakes · 27/10/2021 16:28

Good luck for Saturday @ThankYouVeryMuchGerry Thanks

OP posts:
ThankYouVeryMuchGerry · 27/10/2021 16:29

Thank goodness Cream! I'm so glad for you, you must be so relieved.
Really glad it went well x

paisley256 · 27/10/2021 16:34

Phew! Great update Flowers

minimoojo · 27/10/2021 18:40

Very pleased to hear!

ThankYouVeryMuchGerry · 27/10/2021 21:45

Cream - how long does the appointment take, and is the mammogram painful? My appointment is at 10 on Saturday and I'm meant to be going out at 12, is the appointment likely to last over an hour?

Also, being a bit dense here, but what does it actually involve?

Beamur · 27/10/2021 21:49

Great news. You must feel very relieved.

Nikki360 · 27/10/2021 21:57

So pleased for you xx

Cotswoldmama · 27/10/2021 22:02

I had this it was a cyst tender is a good sign. Mine disappeared over night I think I prodded it so much it burst. It was quite big. I then got another in a similar place but not tender or sore. This felt similar and did go down but more slowly I went to the breast clinic and that too was a cyst. I hope this helps ease your mind a bit x