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General health

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Original poster

anyone had a lump in their breast?

83 replies

ilovetochat · 29/05/2009 13:38

Last night in the shower i thought i felt a lump under my rigt breast, it feels different to the left one and dp said he could feel a hard area there too.
I am due on my period and stopped bf 5 months ago so boobs changing again at the moment.
Should i just keep monitoring it till my period comes?

OP posts:

RustyBear · 29/05/2009 13:43

Get it checked anyway.

I found a lump when I was 22 - 30 years ago - I worried about it for ages before I had the courage to go to the doctor.

Luckily it wasn't anything to worry about - I can still feel it at times, especially before a period.

But I could have saved myself all the worry if I's gone to the doctor straight away.

CarGirl · 29/05/2009 13:44

I have a sore painful lump that was checked out 12 years ago and it's nothing. I would make a drs appointment because they take a few days to get anyway just to be on the safe side.

Original poster

ilovetochat · 29/05/2009 13:46

do you think the nurse would do a check?

OP posts:

CarGirl · 29/05/2009 13:46

I mean rather than wait for your period and then make an appointment!

Original poster

ilovetochat · 29/05/2009 13:52

i think i may phone and speak to the nurse, hopefully she could help?

OP posts:

CarGirl · 29/05/2009 13:55

I would think 99% of the time they will want to do a needle biopsy on it even if they think it is highly likely to be benign so think the dr will need to refer you. Just make a drs appt and go.

AuntieMaggie · 29/05/2009 13:59

needle biopsy? really?

when I had mine I was just felt up by a doctor at the breast clinic and was told it was a cyst and if it caused problems they could drain it but it never came to anything.

all the same get it checked out so they can refer you to a clinic

CarGirl · 29/05/2009 14:01

perhaps it depends on what they feel?

Original poster

ilovetochat · 29/05/2009 14:04

ok will phone monday if it still feels the same, there is noone there now.

OP posts:

ClaireDeLoon · 29/05/2009 14:09

I had a lump a few months ago and like you I was due my period - but unlike you I never thought of that so went to the GP, she checked and asked me to come back after my period.

Lump was still there, so she referred me to the breast unit, the appointment was within two weeks of her referring me so can't complain. The doctor examined me and did a needle biopsy, which showed it was a cyst. He drained it completely.

They then referred me for a mammogram and I saw the doctor again a week after that, they confirmed no other bumps, lumps or worrying bits on the mammogram, but asked me to come back in 3 months.

At the 3 month appointment they did a further examination and advised me if I had any more lumps NOT to assume that it was another cyst but to see a doctor. For the next 12 months I can self refer to the unit without going via my GP, after that it needs a GP referral.

I was so impressed by it all, how thorough they were and also how kind they all were. The NHS really can be fantastic.

Go get it checked out, it is far better than worrying.

Original poster

ilovetochat · 29/05/2009 14:13

thanks, that is useful to know.
i do notice my boobs are a bit lumpy/weird before a period, thats what makes me wonder whether its that.
also since bf my boobs have been like deflated but now are slowly inflating again so feel different.
I definitley will get it checked.

OP posts:

ClaireDeLoon · 29/05/2009 14:14

Yes - first appointment my GP said 'they feel more lumpy than a definite lump' I was mortified at someone calling my breasts lumpy

smudgethepuppydog · 29/05/2009 18:43

I've had a lump recently. I went to my GP who examined the lump, didn't know what it was so referred me to the local breast clinic. I was seen within two weeks given a scan, a mammogram but no needle biopsy as it wasn't required. My lump was an innocent one (a poster in the clinic stated that 96% of all lumps turn out to be innocent). It was a woorying time but I'm glad I had it checked.

Noonki · 29/05/2009 18:50

I had one last year, went to gp and he had a feel, and referred to the hospital for a couple of days later,

had an ultrasound scan (like with baby) and they said it was a cyst and so no need to worry

any which way it makes no sense to not go to the doctor, if it is cancer (stastically unlikely) the very best thing to do is to be seen as soon as possible, if it's not might as well get the worrying out of the way

girlandboy · 29/05/2009 18:51

I found a lump in my left breast 17 years ago.

The gp stated that it was a "breast mouse" after feeling it. They call it that because it moves about a bit.

I was still worried and saw another gp and he thought the same, but said if I was still worried I could go to the hospital.

I went to the hospital and had a needle biopsy which came back clear with a diagnosis of a fibroadenoma (or breast mouse!). I went back 6 months later and the doctor couldn't find it anymore, and neither could I. It had spontaneously disappeared.

The only thing I would say is, is that you must examine yourselves as per the doctors instructions, but also I would recommend examining yourself lying down on your side as well. The doctors could never find my lump unless I lay on my left side as I insisted I do because it was only then that the lump could be felt. As my breast dropped to the left, the lump popped up near to my cleavage. It couldn't be felt otherwise.

Lizzzombie · 29/05/2009 18:51

I went to the doctors 4 weeks ago to get checked as I keep getting breast pains and can feel lumps.
He did a check and said they were very lumpy and apparently referred me to the consultant for a ultrasound. BUT...its been 4 weeks now. Two weeks ago the receptionist said she would get my GP to chase the hospital and I still didn't hear anything. I rang the breast clinic outpatients dept at the hospital and they didn't have my name on record.
I am a little concerned.
It took me 6 months to get the courage up to go to the Doctors.
He did however explain what to look for in a self examination, and the difference between 'normal' lumps and more sinister ones.

I was also a little about seeing my male GP about it, I had asked the practice nurse at my smear appt and she said the nurses didn't do it and I'd have to get him (GP) to do it.
My Mum is a practice nurse and said that I could have specifically asked for a chaperone to sit in on the examination if I was nervous about it.
But it happend so fast and he was completely medical about it, it didn't feel odd (well, anymore odd than I would have expected!) at all.
Good luck. x

MoominMymbleandMy · 29/05/2009 19:17

I have, and I would book a GP's appointment immediately just for your own peace of mind.

I didn't hang about but by the night before my appontment I was already planning how to break it to my DH that he must downsize his career, and considering potential nice stepmothers from among our acquaintance.

It was a benign cyst.

MoominMymbleandMy · 29/05/2009 19:18

appointment, sorry

HolyGuacamole · 29/05/2009 19:24

Get it checked. I had one when I was going thru a very stressful, worn down, horrible period in my life, had a needle biopsy (which was fine by the way, painless) and it turned out to be an an abscess brought on by flu and stress. It was quite a big lump and it was easily treated by anti biotics.

I also had another one a few months ago, went to doc and it was also harmless, just part of the normal breast tissue.

Go to the doc. Something they told me was that if you have a lump, try not to touch it all the time because your breast might get a bit sore and tender.....which leads to you thinking it is the lump that is sore, but it is actually the fact that you've poked and prodded it.

weaselm4 · 29/05/2009 19:26

I've had a lump as well - was very worrying as I have a strong family history of breast cancer. I got checked out and it was just a cyst. Even if you don't have a family history, please do get it checked out - if nothing else they will be able to reassure you and you won't be worrying. I don't think any medical professional would think you were wasting their time. Hope it's all OK.

stuffitlllama · 29/05/2009 19:33

go for an ultrasound rather than a mammogram

Original poster

ilovetochat · 29/05/2009 20:17

thank you all for the messages, i know that its best to get checked and not leave it too late, i will monitor over the weekend and ring monday although my period is due tuesday and it may be normal period lumpiness.

OP posts:

Original poster

ilovetochat · 01/06/2009 15:51

well my period arrived Sunday and my breast still feels a bit odd and has been aching and is painful to lie on so i have booked an appointment at the docs for Thursday morning, i know i will worry till its checked so i thought id best just get on with it.
Thanks everyone and hopefully it will be nothing.

OP posts:

wigglybeezer · 01/06/2009 16:05

I'm in the middle of this ATM, I went to docs with sore boob with lump/s, he thinks it is normal lumpyness (my Mum and SIS have had similar symptoms over the years) but I have to go back in a couple of weeks to get checked dy him again and he will decide then if he will refer me to the breast clinic or not.

I too was imagining who DH could replace me with and having dramatic thoughts about funerals .

I am now fairly relaxed and Doc said I did the right thing coming in to be seen.

Original poster

ilovetochat · 01/06/2009 16:08

thanks wiggly, i hope you are ok!

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