I need to get this lump looked at, don't I?

[TheWoollybacksWife]

I've found a lump on one of my breasts. It's visible on the surface of my breast, at the edge of my nipple. It actually looks like a spot that hasn't got a head. It's hard, about the size of a grain of rice and I've had it for a couple of months so it's unlikely to be a spot as I would have expected it to have come to a head or subsided by now. The nipple on the same breast has started to feel itchy intermittently now too. Everything I can find about breast lumps seems to indicate they are usually deeper into breast tissue.

I need to see a doctor don't I?

Post menopausal by a couple of years so no periods to see if it is affected by my cycle and my next routine mammogram is not due until next year.

Yes see a doctor

Yep, try and get an appointment ASAP, but good luck with that. Hopefully your surgery hasn't effectively shut down like so many others.

Yes. Anything unusual for you needs to be checked

Thank you everyone. My doctor is doing face to face consultations for some appointments but I'll have to ring first thing on Monday to see if I can get one.

@Theforest that's it exactly! It might not be anything sinister but it's not normal for me so I'm going to get it checked. I think I'll have to get over my initial reluctance to "bother the doctor"

Hey op did you manage to get this checked out yet?

I hope you've been referred OP. My tumour was near my nipple and near the surface so it's not always the case it's deeper. However, most lumps are not cancer. It's really important that you are seen. I reiterate that for everybody. Anything that is different or unusual, however minor, must be checked out! Hope you're ok

I've got a face to face appointment with a GP on Thursday. I'm not sure what the local situation with onward referrals is like but at least I've started the process.

I hope you are doing ok MrsC I'm ok - not sleeping very well so everything seems a bit of an effort but my family is older so most things can be left to slide a bit as long as they are fed reasonably regularly

I'll update when I've seen the GP.

X fingers just false alarm. Please do update us. You'll go on 2 week pathway to see consultants, I suspect (most MNers do, with good outcomes).

I've resolved I won't get any lumps looked at unless they persist 2-3 months -- which is where you're at now (assuming "couple" = 2-3)
I'm happy with that decision for me & don't criticise anyone who prefers to get advice much sooner.

@TheWoollybacksWife

I've got a face to face appointment with a GP on Thursday. I'm not sure what the local situation with onward referrals is like but at least I've started the process.

I hope you are doing ok MrsC I'm ok - not sleeping very well so everything seems a bit of an effort but my family is older so most things can be left to slide a bit as long as they are fed reasonably regularly

I'll update when I've seen the GP.

I'm very well thanks, treated and recovering. I really hope you have nothing to worry about, it's nearly always something benign. Better safe than sorry though!

Just a quick update if anyone is interested.

I saw a consultant today and I've had a mammogram and ultrasound. He's confident that it's a cyst and has advised that it is safe to ignore. However if it grows or changes then my next point of call should be a dermatologist.

I just read your posts op and it’s great you’ve had good news.

My mum had similar a few years back and I know how worrying it is just not knowing.
A huge relief for you now.

Brilliant news xx

thanks for update :)

How unhelpful
OP, hopefully like mine your GP is still functioning well. Whizzed through in 2 week wait twice during lockdown.
Phone them

Brilliant news @TheWoollybacksWife 😃
I get so irritated at downtalk I didn’t rtft

Thank you everyone for your support and advice.

@Etinoxaurus it's a particular bugbear of mine that "women's problems" are (in my experience anyway) routinely dismissed and it's only when I push back that I'm taken seriously. I cried when a locum agreed to refer me for post menopausal bleeding the first time I mentioned it as I fully expected to be told that I needed to go away and monitor the situation for 3/6/12 months whatever.