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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Breast lump found at 20 weeks

42 replies

burtle4 · 31/07/2021 17:54

Just after a bit of reassurance so no horror stories please! I'm 20 weeks pregnant and a couple of days ago i found a lump at the top of my left breast. I went to the doctor this morning and he said that whilst breast lumps and bumps are very common in pregnancy that because he can definitely feel something he needs to refer me for a scan. I have to wait for up to three weeks for this to happen and whilst I'm trying to stay relaxed and hope that it's pregnancy related I can't help but feel anxious. Does anyone have any experience of having to get a breast cancer check during pregnancy that just ended up being a blocked milk duct etc?

OP posts:
Twizbe · 31/07/2021 17:57

No experience but the GP is right that pregnancy can cause lumps in the breast. They were also right that they get any lump checked out. Chances are it's nothing and it's just a precaution.

Whaam · 31/07/2021 19:32

This is a little different, but I always have several lumps in my breasts. I have had mammograms and ultrasounds, and so far I've been told that they are just cysts. I am now pregnant, and they have grown and are painful. Maybe it's just your hormones, as my lumps have definitely got bigger and more painful. They also fluctuate during my periods etc. For me, I had no cysts at all for most of my life then in 2012, one just appeared like you at the top of the breast. After that, I just seemed to continue to develop more.

Try not to worry. There are lots of reasons for breast lumps! Flowers

Original poster
burtle4 · 31/07/2021 21:36

Thanks ladies, hard not to worry but that is reassuring to read x

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Kona84 · 02/08/2021 08:36

This didn’t happen while pregnant but about10 years ago I found a lump top left of my left breast. It felt hard and was about the size of a 2pence piece.
I went for the ultrasound and they took a biopsy and it turned out to be normal.
I still have the lump and I do monitor it it almost feels like a bit of fatty tissue that has broken away from my breast. It hasn’t changed during my pregnancy.

Original poster
burtle4 · 02/08/2021 09:00

Thank you for sharing, glad everything was ok x

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Helpamummy · 02/08/2021 11:18

Yes me! Happened in both my pregnancies. Never had any lump before but developed a clear large one each time. Had all the checks and it was just normal breast tissue that changed because of hormones. It sucks that you have to wait three weeks but chances are great that it is nothing. Also a good sign they think you can wait that long, I was fast tracked to an appointment a couple of days later, but I have terrible family history for breast cancer. If it reassures you further, both times I noticed the lump at about 20 weeks too so must be the time those hormonal changes happen. Take care! X

Original poster
burtle4 · 02/08/2021 13:05

Ah amazing, thank you so much for that @Helpamummy 🙏 definitely good to hear from someone who's been through this, got my 20 week scan today and trying to focus on that and put it to the back of my mind but it's hard! Hearing stories like yours definitely helps x

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Applesandpears23 · 02/08/2021 13:09

Is it your first baby or have you lactated before? I would be tempted to see if I could shift it through massage/hand expression or using an electric toothbrush.

Starjammer · 02/08/2021 13:15

I had this at around 37 weeks. Turned out to just be a massive cyst - not a milk one, but probably caused by hormones. I got it drained and it hasn't come back.

Original poster
burtle4 · 02/08/2021 18:49

@Applesandpears23 this is my third baby, fourth pregnancy, but have never found one before. Breast fed my other two but my youngest is now 7 so it's been a while! Tried massaging it but doesn't seem to do anything...
@Starjammer thank you for your story, fingers crossed it's something similar x

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justasmalltownmum · 02/08/2021 18:52

Had a lump in my armpit with first pregnancy. Had the scans too and it was a blocked milk duct.

Applesandpears23 · 02/08/2021 23:06

You make more milk making tissue with each pregnancy so it may just be a blocked duct. Any history of mastitis or blocked ducts before?

Original poster
burtle4 · 03/08/2021 09:17

No history of it no, I also thought if it was a blocked duct it gets red and sore but this lump is completely painless? @justasmalltownmum was your one in your armpit painful?

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iverunoutofinspiration · 03/08/2021 23:20

@burtle4 hand hold! I'm also going through something similar. 32 weeks however and noticed a small pea sized lump under my armpit. Went to the gp and she couldn't feel anything and told me to come back in a week... don't know if it's paranoia but feel like it's getting bigger! Is yours obvious when touching the skin? How big is it? The next three weeks will be tough but odds are in your favour and everything I have read points at hormonal changes XX

Original poster
burtle4 · 04/08/2021 08:09

@iverunoutofinspiration sorry to hear you're going through this too but selfishly nice to have someone dealing with a similar issue! It's good in a way that your GP couldn't feel anything as it must mean it's very small, although I imagine it's a bit frustrating. Mine couldn't find mine initially until I pointed it out and then he did. It feels quite big to me, like the width of two fingers and it's not at the top of the skin but almost deeper, like you have to press to feel it. If it's any consolation I had a pea size lump which was very obviously round and hard when I was a teenager, went to the doctor and she said it was just a cyst, it stayed for years but seems to have gone now so I'm sure yours will just be that x

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iverunoutofinspiration · 04/08/2021 13:22

@burtle4 when is your appointment at the clinic? Did your GP say anything to reassure you? It is a worrying time but I think I'd be even more worried if I wasn't pregnant and there wasn't at least some sort of explanation for it all. So take that as some solace.
Thanks for sharing your pea story! I keep trying to 'massage' it and it's getting sore so I think I'll just stop until Monday and see what that brings! Tempted to just go privately for an ultrasound if my GP still can't feel anything x

Original poster
burtle4 · 04/08/2021 19:13

@iverunoutofinspiration yes it must be quite frustrating that she says she can't feel it when you know it's there. I think on Monday you should just not leave the room until she does! I've had a message today to say my appointment is on 17th August but I'm supposed to be on holiday from 13th so might have to change it - although really don't want to put it off any longer! I definitely feel like I'm using the pregnancy as an excuse for the lump, if it wasn't for that I'd be freaking out a lot more than I am!

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iverunoutofinspiration · 09/08/2021 10:00

@burtle4 that's annoying. Did you decide what you're going to do? I had my appointment this morning and she still couldn't feel anything but has put me through for non urgent referral and said I'd get an ultrasound appointment for around 3-4 weeks x

Original poster
burtle4 · 09/08/2021 10:12

That's good that she's referred you anyway and in a way great that she can't feel anything as it must mean it's really small. At least now you know you'll get an answer on what it is and hopefully try and put it to the back of your mind until then.
We were supposed to be going to France as my mum and dad live there and I haven't seen them in nearly two years but the rules haven't been changed for the unvaccinated so it doesn't look like it's going to happen 😔 It does mean however that I get to keep the appointment so will at least get some answers soon. Trying so hard to not worry about it but it's hard so one good thing about not being able to go to France is that I'll get answers sooner rather than later!

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iverunoutofinspiration · 13/08/2021 08:16

@burtle4 how are you getting on? Not long until your appointment.
How long did it take to get your referral? I haven't heard anything yet but not sure if that's normal or not?

Original poster
burtle4 · 13/08/2021 08:28

I know, just the weekend to get through! I went in to the doctors on the Saturday and think they phoned me on the Wednesday and then sent a letter through confirming it, hopefully you'll get yours soon x

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iverunoutofinspiration · 13/08/2021 11:06

@burtle4 best of luck. I hope they get to tell you there and then that it's nothing to worry about so it's over and done with!

Ahh okay, may call the surgery today to see if they can see the date x

Original poster
burtle4 · 13/08/2021 13:43

@iverunoutofinspiration thank you 🙏🤞

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iverunoutofinspiration · 17/08/2021 12:52

@burtle4 hope all goes well
Today!

Original poster
burtle4 · 17/08/2021 13:27

Thank you! I leave in an hour, am so nervous but just want to get it done. Will let you know how it goes x

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