Big lump under nipple/areola

[GarrettGraham]

A few weeks ago I had a randomly sore nipple. Nothing major, but noticeable. I put it down to hormones as I’d just finished my period, or possibly irritated from clothing or something. I didn’t feel anything sinister.

Yesterday, it was sore again and now there’s a lump. A really big one - think large grape? The pain isn’t constant. It looks normal except for the fact the lump is causing the nipple to look wonky - like it’s collapsing in on itself on one side. My period started today.

I am 36 years old. Four children. Haven’t breastfed in 16 months. On 1mg of Wegovy but otherwise no medications, no hormonal contraceptives used for years.

I don’t know why I’m posting really. I’ve had a lump before and was referred to breast clinic and it was fine. I had a boob suddenly grow bigger before, was referred to breast clinic and all was fine. I’ve had plenty of referrals for things in my time and never been worried. I wasn’t worried about it yesterday but today, I don’t know, I just can’t reassure myself that it’s nothing to worry about. I’ve always been a “I’ll worry when there’s something to worry about person” to the extent that I don’t even bother taking anyone with me to hospital appointments - I am quite relaxed about these things.

I didn’t phone the GP yesterday as I thought it was hormonal but now I’m just sat waiting for Monday. I wish I’d phoned.

I have private insurance with BUPA so in theory I could phone them now but I don’t think I want to. Part of me wants to wait until Monday when the kids are at school and nursery, and part of me wants to see a GP in the flesh first.

Anyway, I’m rambling now. Would appreciate stories good and bad. I know most lumps are nothing. I know most cancer lumps are not painful. I know that cancer is not the most likely outcome. Just feel a bit weird not knowing. Also - is it quite likely to be benign given it appeared so suddenly? I know that’s a thing with IBC but I assume it’s also a thing with cysts so I’m trying to reassure myself I suppose.

Yes I’d get that checked straight away and if you have private health care, use it. I had the same thing happen to me in the same area and it was a fast growing invasive ductal carcinoma. It was also painful. I don’t want to scare you obviously but your description resonated. What I will say is that it was knobbly and also tethered as I could feel it pulling. I have had many lumps that have been smooth and mobile and I knew this was not the same. Obviously the most likely outcome statistically is that it’s nothing but I absolutely wouldn’t hang about getting it checked. Good luck 💐

If you have BUPA - just call them and get booked in with them for one of the one-stop shop type appointments. The less waiting around you can have the better. If you're with BUPA, there is no point going to see a GP first - they won't be able to tell you for sure one way or another and will just refer you to the breast clinic anyway. I went to see my GP, then the NHS breast clinic referral but looking back I should just have gone through my BUPA straight away to save a bit of time worrying.

I should also say this was six years ago.

Thank you for the straight talking and sorry to hear about your experience.

It’s difficult to feel it properly because my nipple goes erect and the areola puckers etc when I touch it. But it’s extremely obvious compared to the other breast.

Thank you, you’re probably right. The last time I needed to be seen at breast clinic all the private hospitals around me said I’d be seen sooner via NHS and they were correct, but that was a while ago and in a different area so I should just get on with it, shouldn’t I.

What I would do is check when you wake up. I do it when I am laying in bed and I’m warm and my hands are warm so I don’t get the instant reaction from touching or cold hands. Mine was 3.5 cm when I as diagnosed. I had not long gone through an early screening programme that I was invited to where I definitely did not have cancer. I’d say it appeared within a few months of that. It was hormone driven and that surprised me as I’d avoided anything hormone for at least a decade. I did have a late baby at 42 and I was diagnosed just after my 50th birthday.

Thank you @TheFormidableMrsC that’s good advice. I’ll do that in the morning. I hope you are well now?

Still can’t get a good feel of its edges but it’s definitely very there. The fact my nipple is collapsing on one side is really obvious too.

Going to head out with the kids for most of the day to distract myself.

Bless you. Let’s hope it’s just a big old cyst that can be dealt with quickly. It’s worth noting that cysts can be painful too and that very area is really sensitive anyway. Get onto it tomorrow. All you can do is be proactive at this stage.

I am well thank you, I had around 18 months of treatment starting with surgery which was very manageable. My cancer, despite being quite big, was early and contained so no lymph involvement and clear margins which was a relief. Anyway, one thing at a time. Please keep us posted!

I’ve been to the GP this morning, got a same day appointment no questions asked so that was good. The doctor found the lump without difficulty so that was weirdly reassuring as I think it’s easy to tell yourself it’s all in your head and you’re wasting people’s time (in fairness DH had also found it easily when I asked him).

Been referred to breast clinic under the 2ww as expected. She did say it could be longer at the moment but to let them know if I don’t hear of anything. I asked if I should go with BUPA but she did think NHS will be quicker. There isn’t a single BUPA breast cancer specialist centre in the whole of Yorkshire. I will phone BUPA later today to see what they can offer but at least I am on the NHS pathway now.

She had a poker face about it which I respect. I don’t want to be falsely reassured or needlessly worried.

Glad to hear you’re doing well @TheFormidableMrsC and really appreciate your support.

Really glad you’ve been seen quickly. Hopefully it won’t be too long a wait. I think the delays are countrywide at the moment. I had to go back to my breast clinic last week for a meds review and it was extremely busy. I think it’s always best for GP’s not to give an opinion, my practice nurse was so convinced my lump was a cyst that she nearly didn’t refer me. I insisted as I knew it was dodgy. Nobody can tell until mammo/ultrasound/biopsy. I really hope it turns out to be nothing and statistically that is the more likely scenario. Keep busy and no googling either!

So sorry but the waiting is actually the worst bit. You've done all you can. Try and concentrate on something for you in the meantime. I know it's difficult and I've been there

Thank you @LinkedinLovely

I phoned BUPA and then the private hospitals near me and no availability until the end of the month, so I’m going to stick with the NHS pathway.

I know it's totally awful but the NHS is actually pretty good once you're on the pathway and it's better to know. Good luck and keep talking to us here. There's a lot of support

Thanks @LinkedinLovely I’m happy with NHS pathway and if it is something sinister I can move to private care if I prefer. I’ll cross that bridge if/when I get to it.

I can see my referral in the NHS app and it says the deadline for review is tomorrow and if I haven’t heard by then to phone. In the meantime I find myself poking and prodding at the thing all the time.

I really can’t decide whether to take my DH with me. I might not get a choice as if it’s at the wrong time of day he’ll need to be around for drop offs/pick ups. I usually go to this sort of thing alone but GP did suggest to take someone with me because I’ll likely be there a while (I’m choosing not to read into her comment more than that…). Unfortunately no suitable friends or family to take either.

I was ok on my own, just focused on distraction (games on my phone/funny mumsnet classics), and it was cancer but I'm nearly out the other side now (done chemo and halfway through radio!).
Honestly, even if it's bad news better to get it sorted, but 98% of these referrals come to nothing. I'll say it again, the wait is the worst bit! Sending solidarity

Sorry to hear that you had bad news @LinkedinLovely but pleased to hear treatment is going well.

Did you find out on the day that it was cancer?

It’s the thought of having to tell DH bad news that is making me think perhaps I’d rather he was there.

No I didn't find out on the day, but the repeated tests and the room changed somehow so I had a feeling it wasn't good news. It was 4 days later the official diagnosis came.

I could see the referral in the NHS app but now it has disappeared, which I am hoping means I’ve been given an appointment but I don’t know when it is. No appointment letter on the app so perhaps it is coming the old fashioned way, which is a bit annoying in this day and age and with our unreliable postal service.

It realised it doesn’t hurt anymore. It was only two or three days of mild pain/sensitivity but now, nothing. Still the same size, nipple still collapsed on one side, the lump is quite firm maybe even hard. Generally the nipple looks quite swollen compared to the other.

I WFH full time, most of the time on my own, and I am finding it very difficult to concentrate.

Just had a phone call from the loveliest man at the hospital. Appointment is on Tuesday 3:15pm.

I told my manager earlier today. I wasn’t going to but I’d been distracted all morning then had a weekly check in meeting with him and he asked how things were at home and I just blurted it out. I nearly cried! He was lovely of course. It felt weird telling someone other than DH.

Since I last went to the breast clinic I have had a friend diagnosed with secondary breast cancer and watched her do amazingly well but go through so much treatment. I’ve had another friend who had a mastectomy and a lot of chemo, and a colleague who had a lumpectomy and chemo. I think that’s all contributing to why I’m feeling so anxious this time compared to my previous visits - all these people are around my age. I was only saying to my sister the other day how I feel like there is more death, divorce and tragedy around me than ever before and it’s just what happens as you get older.

Anyway, sorry I am rambling on. I am just using this thread as a way to talk about it really.

Hope you're doing OK OP, and your appointment on Tuesday brings good news.

It appears I'm you, a week ago and just wanted to offer some solidarity. I found a lump yesterday (quite a blatant mass and a smaller, harder, nobly lump right next to my nipple) and didn't phone the GP. Thought it was a bit OTT to find it and jump straight on the phone and figured I'd wait and see. Somewhat regret that decision now! Still - house is looking clean while I attempt to distract myself until Monday.

Thank you and sorry you find yourself in the same boat. I hope you are seen quickly on Monday and manage to distract yourself in the meantime!

The lump has actually shrunk quite a lot since earlier in the week and at this rate it will be non-existent by Tuesday. It really was very obvious and hard for a few days when I first found it so I’m taking this as a good sign.

I’ll feel a bit daft going to the appointment if it’s completely gone by then so I’m not sure what to do about that. I’ll also feel guilty as someone with a more urgent need could have it.

Oh I would absolutely be reassured by that! Fingers crossed it continues to shrink to nothing, but please keep your appointment! It is best to act with an abundance of caution, so see it through - at least you'll then have a definitive answer.

Oh that sounds positive @GarrettGraham. I had one like that about five years ago and it had disappeared by the time my clinic appointment came. You are absolutely NOT taking an appointment. You need to be checked regardless but it sounds hopeful it will be ok. Will be thinking of you on Tuesday.

Have you got an appointment? Or is that to ring the GP? Again, it’s vital that you get it checked. Good luck! I hope it’s ok.