Armpit lump

[LDA123]

Noticed today what looks like a bit of a lump in my armpit. It doesn’t hurt or anything.

Do I need to be worried or am I just being paranoid?

Doctor on Monday. Probably nothing but definitely needs to be checked out.

Have you been ill recently? Both my armpit glands became swollen once as I was recovering from a nasty cold.
I would go to the GP though

I haven’t been ill no. Do you think it could just be glands then? Maybe I’m a bit run down but not ill.

Excuse the sweatiness, has just put deodorant on!

Looks bruised, too?
agree, GP or walk-in, just to be on safe side. Statistically, it’s probably nothing ominous.

You need to get it checked out but I had almost exactly the same last year and it was just a benign cyst. I had it for about 3 months and as time went on I noticed it seemed to get larger and smaller depending on where I was in my cycle. It then disappeared and I haven’t seen it since.

Get your armpit to the doctor

Thank you, I’ll try to get an appointment this week. Just couldn’t decide whether I was being OTT or not as my Mum had breast cancer reasonably young so a bit paranoid.

I think you need doctors tomorrow and wouldn't be prepared to wait. Its not something you want to mess about with especially if your DM had breast cancer. They should refer you to breast clinic, and you should get your appointment with in 2 weeks. I'm sure it's just gland but why take that chance. Good luck

PS my mum also had BC so fingers crossed it’s nothing to worry about x

Thank you. Need this like a hole in the head, currently going through divorce and both parents currently have cancer ☹️

With a family history of breast cancer I would definitely be at the doctors tomorrow

Just reading about lipoma (harmless fatty lumps) - it looks a bit like that so hopefully that’s all it is. Trying to make myself feel less anxious!

The stats are on your side but yes get it checked

Doctors asap. Explain to reception family history.

Doctor thinks it’s a reactive lymph node and nothing to worry about 😊. Have antibiotics and will have some blood tests.

Feel relieved!

That's good, do go back if it doesn't t go down in a couple of weeks though op x

I will. I got the impression that they are trying to delay further referrals if possible because of the NHS being swapped…. So bloods/antibiotics step 1 and then a referral if no better. Previously, would have just been a referral.

Can’t get a blood appointment until June so that’s a whole different story!

*swamped not swapped!

How's it doing now op ? X

this is nothing of concern. I have one slightly more to my breast

Respectfully, you can't diagnose a stranger over the internet. Especially one with a family history of breast cancer and a lump.

Op - hope the antibiotics have done the job and it was just a reactive node x

Just thought I’d give a quick update. Haven’t had the bloods yet but have finished the antibiotics and it’s made no difference to the lump. I feel well so wonder if not due to an infection…

I had an unrelated Bupa health assessment yesterday (new job) and I mentioned it to the doctor. She did a full breast exam and has referred me to the breast clinic for further investigation.

She noted in the referral letter that the lymph node lump was the size of a marble and also noted another area on my right breast (same side as armpit lump) that she wanted investigated - she couldn’t feel a lump but has noted “?dense tissue?”.

So now on the dreaded two week wait for the appointment. Trying not to stress - lots of positive stories online and medically only a very very small percentage of swollen lymph nodes turn out to be C.

Google is a terrible thing though! I’ve read that lymph nodes should be bean shaped and as she has put “marble” it indicates that it is round which I believe could be a bit more concerning. Or maybe I’m reading too much into it!

Has anyone been through similar and had a positive outcome?

Hi @LDA123 I had an armpit lump recently and went to the doctor who found another breast lump, I was really freaked out! Consultant said armpit lump was a tendon, tiny cyst and blocked sweat gland all together and other lump just normal tissue. I got the impression 'normal' doctors don't 100% understand what exactly they are feeling, understandably, hence the caution. Within seconds the consultant put my mind at ease. They are probably just being super cautious. Keep calling and asking for a cancellation if you can be flexible on day/time. My 2 week wait was to be 3.5 weeks after a 10 day wait for GP! Clinic suggested ringing regularly about cancellations and I got one with just a few hours notice. Best of luck.

My referral as sent on 6 June and I phoned the clinic today and apparently they’re only processing referrals received on 2 June and already booking appointments for 26th June ☹️.

So looks like it might not be until the end of the month / beginning of July. Trying not to obsess over it but wish I was being seen earlier, just to put out of my mind.