Breast lumps (benign) wwyd?

[OneFrenchEgg]

So I had a swollen sore breast, GP thought infection and satsuma size lump. Slightly went down, referral times clinic. Turns out to be a lot of cysts in one place. A few were biopsied and a couple drained. All benign.

What now though? I still have a solid mass and it's painful again (they said the previous pain and swelling could have been hormonal and cysts developing). How do I know what's new if and what's part of the benign cysts? Do I just live with painful breasts as and when?

How old are you, did you have a mammogram ?
Have you been discharged from the clinic ?

50, yes been discharged as cysts all appear benign. It's the ongoing stuff - how do I know if one changes, do I just put up with sore boobs every so often?

Did you have a mammogram ?

I have a 30+ year history of benign breast lumps. I check my breasts most days. If I notice any changes, I keep an eye on it for a month or so and at that point, usually go see the GP who refers me to the breast clinic.

The most important thing to consider is if you're pre-menopause or post-menopause. If you're the former, carry on as you are, and if you're the latter, any changes and/or new lumps must be reported immediately.

FWIW, pain in your breasts is rarely a sign of anything sinister. Evening primrose and fish oils do help with the pain, but unfortunately, it's learning to live with it and report any changes/new lumps.

Sorry @DustyLee123 yes ultrasound and mammogram

Thanks @marshamarshmallow I'm peri I think - no period for about 70 days, erratic before that, on HRT and progesterone.
I think I'm struggling to work out how I will know that existing lumps as they are all a mass of lots aren't new ones?

Given your hormones are in flux and you're taking HRT, it's understandable that are having so much activity in your breasts! When I was perimenopausal and on HRT, I found it did similar to mine and I drastically reduced the oestrogen component and the swelling did subside.

It's a question of just checking and feeling every time you bath or shower, and if any areas concern you, report it. I think it's immaterial if it's a new lump or something you already have, if something doesn't feel right, get it checked. And that's the bottom line - if in doubt, just get it checked. Better to be over cautious than not cautious enough.

Thank you, it's all a bit stressful when you can't see it! I think being left with a lumpy mass has made me really uncomfortable.

It is difficult. I have a fibroadenoma in my breast, sometimes I’m aware of it, so I’m then wondering if something is wrong. But I do take a good quality evening primrose oil which keeps my pain at bay.

And when I asked a breast surgeon about having it out, he said that I would then be left with scar tissue inside the breast, and I’d not know if that was a lump to be investigated. So basically you can’t win !

And this is the problem I have. I've had several fibroadenomas removed over the past three decades and have much scar tissue as a result. On occasion, I've misjudged scar tissue for a new lump and vice versa.

But, like I said in a previous post, better to be over cautious and get everything checked out.

I believe it's rare for them to remove fibroadenomas these days. They will only do so if they have reason to believe it could be something else, and in this instance, will do a core biopsy and if the results are unspecified, they will then do a lumpectomy.

I have cystic fibrous breast tissue, am also on hrt. My lumps are constantly changing and I’m constantly going in. I probably have a cyst drained every 4-5 months or so, have done for the last 4 years. They don’t mind in the clinic, they always say better to be safe than sorry. Have never made me feel bad for getting checked

That's really reassuring, I hate drawing attention to myself.