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General health

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Original poster

Found a lump in my armpit

35 replies

Firefly1987 · 18/07/2022 01:13

Hi all,
I noticed a lump in my armpit-can only see it when I move my arm in a certain position but then it comes out quite big (size of a small grape). I'm only 34 so before I go to the doctors I just wanted to get some ideas what it could be?
I've not been ill recently at all-only thing I can think of is I've been noticing my pulse fluttering in different parts of my body but I don't think that's anything much or connected.

I've not googled as I had a bereavement at the beginning of the year (although not cancer) so a lot of medical things are triggering atm so I thought it might be slightly less anxiety inducing to ask on here.
Oh and I don't check my breasts regularly cos they are so full of bumps anyway I'd have no idea what to look out for-every time I try I give up.

OP posts:

Kaileighohkaileigh · 18/07/2022 01:23

Don’t bother waiting for random folks on t’internet to reassure/scare you. Definitely make an appointment to see your GP asap and let them advise. Good luck, hopefully it’s nothing sinister and just one of those things our bodies does to freak us out occasionally!

Original poster

Firefly1987 · 18/07/2022 01:31

Yeh true I just imagine them looking and going "that's just a lymph node!" or "it's fat" and me having wasted their time. it's different to my breast lumps it's not as hard, I can't really feel it actually just see it in certain positions. Maybe I will add a photo later?

OP posts:

Kaileighohkaileigh · 18/07/2022 01:35

10/10 GPs would say as a woman if you find a lump in your breast or armpit which wasn’t there before you should get it checked out. They won’t think you are wasting their time I promise!

Original poster

Firefly1987 · 18/07/2022 01:58

Thanks yeh, I don't usually look at my armpit that closely or move my arm around whilst I do it so it could've been there ages as I wouldn't know. On checking again the lump is firmish. I may have it slightly the other side as well which makes me think lymph node but then why would one be much bigger than the other. I'm a take a photo I know no one can diagnose but I'd just like to have some idea what are the possibilities so I can either relax or prepare (again I know no one here can tell me for sure).

OP posts:

sausage767 · 18/07/2022 03:43

From someone who had cancer in the lymph nodes in her groin, go and see a doctor. Now.

scochran · 18/07/2022 04:22

You just go to the gp. Lymph nodes can go up for many reasons but you still need to get it checked. I did this just last week and gp saw me quickly.

MissSmiley · 18/07/2022 05:49

A friend of mine found a lump in her armpit which she ignored. She died of breast cancer at 41, if she'd had it checked promptly she'd still be here. It could be a cyst, it could just be raised for another reason, but you definitely need to get it checked asap

Thirdsummerofourdiscontent · 18/07/2022 06:17

Have it checked. Best to know now. If it is something like a lymph node that’s going to come up and down it good to know so you aren’t worried every time.

bluedomino · 18/07/2022 06:41

No doctor would ever say you've wasted their time for getting a lump checked out. Go today. I hope its nothing and you can relax. Good luck.

Original poster

Firefly1987 · 18/07/2022 20:33

The reason I'm hesitant to go doctors is it only shows up when I flex a certain way, you can't see it at all otherwise so I'm just thinking it could've been there years I just didn't look that close before.

Here is a pic-sorry about the piss poor quality, but you get the idea. I will go docs anyway but any ideas also welcome. Thanks for replies.

OP posts:

Wouldloveanother · 18/07/2022 20:36

Does it hurt OP? I often get lumps under my
arm from shaving, think they’re ingrown hairs - which look a bit like the one in the photo. They usually go away after a week or two.

Jenda · 18/07/2022 20:36

Just go!! If it's nothing you and the doctor will both be pleased. If it's something it can be treated quickly.. I know it's scary but there is absolutely no benefit to you putting it off

Cactuslove · 18/07/2022 20:39

I have a lipoma in that area. I've had it scanned etc and all ok. But even knowing that I keep an eye on it and get it checked every now and then. Fingers crossed yours is nothing. But in no way are you wasting anyone's time. Look after yourself!

Original poster

Firefly1987 · 18/07/2022 21:03

Wouldloveanother · 18/07/2022 20:36

Does it hurt OP? I often get lumps under my
arm from shaving, think they’re ingrown hairs - which look a bit like the one in the photo. They usually go away after a week or two.

No not at all, I can't feel it until I put my arm in that one position and then I can touch it and feel it's firmish but completely painless.

OP posts:

Cotswoldmama · 18/07/2022 21:21

I've had a few lumps one was very painful and the size of a kidney bean and it ended up being a cyst and disappearing after my next period. The next one was a bit smaller and I had no pain at all this one didn't disappear after my period so my gp examined me and said she thought it was very likely to be a cyst but she would refer me for piece of mind. My appointment was about 10 days later (it's always within 14 days) and by then it had got smaller so I felt a bit like I was wasting their time but I went and they told me it was a cyst again. The third time I was fairly confident it was a cyst so waited until my period and it disappeared! Mine are always on my left breast and low down on the left.
When I first felt the first lump I spoke to the doctor over the phone and its standard practice to wait to see if it goes after your period as often cysts do. After knowing that I didn't ring them until I had had a period and the lump was still there then I rang up and saw the doctor and she examined me and then referred me. I would wait until your next period to see if it goes unless you've had the lump for longer. If you've had the lump for longer ring up and tell them it's still there after however many cycles it's been.
My friend has also had lumps in her breast and arm pit and they were both fine. It is likely to be nothing but definitely get checked

Lacedwithgrace · 18/07/2022 21:35

It's never, ever a waste of time to get checked out. Make an appt asap to get checked and reassure yourself

Original poster

Firefly1987 · 19/07/2022 00:26

@Cotswoldmama Thanks for all that info-well I'm right in the middle of a period right now-but I had this thing about a week ago as well. Glad yours turned out to be ok. I'll ring up dr and see what they say.

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thenewduchessoflapland · 19/07/2022 00:47

Get yourself to the GP ASAP;if it's nothing to worry about then fine but on the off chance it's not early detection is key.

If it's any consolation I found a sizeable lump in my armpit/side of breast and it turned out to be what they said is fibrous tisse and is quite common.

CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 19/07/2022 00:49

I had something similar. I was referred for a breast check immediately.
It turned out absolutely fine.
they asked had I increased my exercise recently and it was related to muscles…

so it’s not always bad news I guess is my message.

MrsMoastyToasty · 19/07/2022 01:09

I had a lump in my armpit. It turned out to be a blocked sweat gland.

Onlyrainbows · 19/07/2022 01:28

I've have them regularly they're always spots/boils which I pop in the shower

Original poster

Firefly1987 · 19/07/2022 03:19

Thanks, wow there's loads of stuff it could be must admit I did google a couple times in the end and only came up with about 3 or 4 things and most were bad. I'll book appointment and keep you guys updated thanks again!

OP posts:

Original poster

Firefly1987 · 19/07/2022 03:37

@Onlyrainbows thanks, it's definitely not "popable" though unfortunately!

OP posts:

caringcarer · 19/07/2022 04:53

I found a lump in the lymph nodes in my neck. I went to GP and got sent to consultant. Then had to have a scan and it is not cancerous but it could have been. From time I felt lump to getting all clear almost 10 weeks. Go to your GP. Don't take a risk as it could be cancer. It might not be but you need to get it investigated asap.

Original poster

Firefly1987 · 19/07/2022 16:52

@caringcarer hi glad you were ok that is good news. Yeh actually my dad had a lump in his neck which turned out to be to do with his prostate cancer so I know it can be bad. I think the only thing making me hesitant is I showed my mother and she thinks it's completely nothing and stupid to go to the doctors with.

OP posts:

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