Is it obvious if you have a lump in your breast?

[Cooperjay]

Hi
I just wondered if anyone has ever gone to have a lump checked and been told it is nothing?

I had a bit if discomfort in my breast a week or so ago (mild pain, felt a bit like when I had a blocked milk duct when breastfeeding) and I think I can feel a small lump almost underneath my nipple. If I sort of roll my nipple between finger and thumb there is a ridge or a lump that feels almost defined and I can take it between my finger and thumb. I usually have to search for it a few times before I find it. I wasn't sure if this was part of the gland underneath but if I try doing the same on the other side I just end up pinching flesh.

I spoke to doctor but he did not seem particularly interested and I have to wait a full week for a face to face gp appointment so just thought I'd ask on here if this actually sounds like a breast lump?

I had exactly the same and it was just a fatty lump

Thank you!

Something like 9 put of 10 lumps are benign but it is worth getting checked and referred on. I was also told by GP mine was nothing in June and now have just been diagnosed with lobular breast cancer and that only forms a lump late on. Yours may well be nothing but do get it checked. Mine has only been caught at stage 3 or 4 and its much easier to treat caught early. Mine if I lifted arm was visible and skin changes, and slight pain. The lump was rock hard.

@silkieschickens thanks for your reply and sorry for responding so late! I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis, how are you doing now?

I have my appointment tomorrow. I'm nervous because as the week has gone on the lump feels more and more obvious (could be I just know where it is now and it's psychological) and it is definitely too firm to be fat so I'm not feeling optimistic it will be dismissed as nothing.

I’ve often wondered the same regarding whether it’s obvious.

Good luck with your appointment. I hope it goes well.

Thanks CooperJay Hope you get the all clear. I have got an appointment today now to see if its at stage 3 or stage 4. I have lobular breast cancer, unfortunately with that type you just get a lump at the end. I never realised that could happen. My type is often only picked up at stage 3 as it starts as like a spiders web so breast does not feel much different, mammograms come back clear quite often until late on.

I felt something was wrong for a few years and been tested for lots of other cancers and negative and expected this to be to. I had changes to skin, white spots, red spots like blood spots but have these all over so possibly unrelated, dimple in breast, breast misshapen if lift arm, walnut type lump, rock hard, like a flattened walnut, won't move but until May this year very few signs. In other types the lump comes much earlier and your chances are much better. 9 out of 10 are benign but I realised through this too late don't just look for lumps. One sign was the one breast felt different to the other breast but all very subtle for what must have been years with it. The only thing I wish I had done is paid for private screening every year but no family history so did not think would need it and even with that a lot of my type are missed until stage 3.

These are the signs of my type though I only had 2 of these, the skin changes and the stabbing type pain a bit in breast and ribs. More in ribs than breast.

lobularbreastcancer.org.uk/signs-and-symptoms/

Thanks @silkieschickens. How terrifying that your type of cancer doesn't show a lump until it has already progressed. I have never heard of that. I really hope you have positive news today.

I'm so glad I went to my appointment. I had talked myself into thinking I was time wasting, particularly given how hard it is to get a face to face appointment these days. But the doctor agreed there is a lump there and has put through an urgent referral. He did say the lump was smooth and reasonably mobile, which he thinks is a good sign. One other thing I realised recently is that the skin of that nipple, (which the lump is to the side of/ possibly partially underneath) feels different to the other side. Sort of pinched and stiff. I've no idea how long it has been like that. Trying not to worry until I know more.

Thanks Cooperjay Good he referred and smooth and moveable is a good sign, hopefully just a cyst.

Mine looks like it may have spread to adrenal glands as they found a mass on there, they are doing another CT to see and then another 2 week wait for results.