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Women's health

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Original poster

Breast lump I think - pic attached (sorry, it's not pretty)

36 replies

primroseandplum · 08/07/2024 09:44

I have a GP appointment on Wednesday, which is the earliest I was offered.

I've been 'aware' of an area of my breast being a bit itchy (I thought it was maybe a tiny insect bite) / some sort of low-level awareness of the area for a few months, becoming more conscious of it recently. I have lost a lot of weight over the last year but that could just be because of bereavement and being busy, so not necessarily an ominous sign.

Anyway, a pic is attached - the lump / distortion doesn't show up if my breasts are just resting normally, but pulling up the loose skin (I'm late 60s and weight loss does that) revealed a lump / puckering.

Honest opinions please - it doesn't look good to me, now I've seen it so clearly in the photos. Thanks.

Sensitive content
Breast lump I think - pic attached (sorry, it's not pretty)
OP posts:
AmelieTaylor · 08/07/2024 09:47

TRY not to panic. The vast majority of the time they're just cysts etc. hopefully someone who is more knowledgeable will be along soon

xx

Original poster
primroseandplum · 08/07/2024 10:06

Thank you, I hope so as I'd welcome opinions.

OP posts:
Goldenmimx · 08/07/2024 10:17

I've had a lump in my right breast for about ten years. I got it checked out and it's fibroadenoma or breast mouse. So a lump isn't always what you think it might be. Absolutely right thing getting it checked as soon as possible and I had a 2 week referral for mine. They'll ask you if it moves because that's the hallmark of breast mouse.

Good luck and all the best OP, keep us posted

Original poster
primroseandplum · 08/07/2024 10:28

Thank you @Goldenmimx, glad yours wasn't anything to worry about, you must have been so relieved.

OP posts:
sonjadog · 08/07/2024 10:33

That looks a bit like my breasts now that I am getting older and they aren't as firm as they used to be. I was very concerned when it started but was told it was nothing by the doctor, and mammograms have also shown nothing.

But you should most definitely get it checked out as you as you can.

Goldenmimx · 08/07/2024 10:34

The worry is horrible so I really feel for you but as AmelieTaylor said they do say that the majority of lumps in the breast are cysts 🤞

Original poster
primroseandplum · 08/07/2024 10:37

Thank you songjadog, that's very reassuring.

OP posts:
Hohofortherobbers · 08/07/2024 10:43

I had 2 benign breast cysts drained a fortnight ago, they were visible lumps in my breasts too and i felt aware of them, Not quite discomfort, but i was aware of a difference in my bra, sorry not explaining that well. Get seen by the breast clinic ASAP, in so many cases it is benign, but the waiting and worrying is the worst bit 😑 good luck x

Original poster
primroseandplum · 08/07/2024 10:54

Hohofortherobbers - thank you for your detailed reply, that's great news, you must have been very worried. These experiences of benign cysts are giving me hope :)

OP posts:
Ariela · 08/07/2024 10:59

I had similar look (but was very firm pencil shaped lump underneath) turned out to be a blocked duct which after manhandling for mammogram disappeared.

Original poster
primroseandplum · 08/07/2024 14:29

Thank you Ariela, so glad yours turned out to be nothing to worry about - you wouldn't think it could disappear just from having a mammogram.

OP posts:
Original poster
primroseandplum · 08/07/2024 16:47

Bumping for more feedback (while trying not to panic).

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 08/07/2024 17:17

I've had breast cancer. My lump was in my nipple, it was hard and knobbly and tethered . It also throbbed a lot. I also had a gland up in my collarbone. I've had plenty of benign breast lumps that have come and gone. You must make a GP appointment and ask for a referral under the two week guidelines. The sooner you do that, the sooner you'll know what you're dealing with. 9/10 breast lumps are benign so the odds are on your side. Good luck!

Original poster
primroseandplum · 08/07/2024 18:50

@TheFormidableMrsC That is really helpful, thank you so much for posting with your experience. I do hope you are fully recovered now.

I have a GP appointment on Wednesday and wrote on the online appointment request form that I think I need an urgent referral, so hopefully the 2 week pathway.

I worry that it doesn't show anything wrong when I just stand normally, which is why I hadn't noticed it before now. It was only when I lifted up the saggy skin (tmi, sorry!) that it suddenly became visible, and quite obvious as the photo shows.

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 08/07/2024 20:17

primroseandplum · 08/07/2024 18:50

@TheFormidableMrsC That is really helpful, thank you so much for posting with your experience. I do hope you are fully recovered now.

I have a GP appointment on Wednesday and wrote on the online appointment request form that I think I need an urgent referral, so hopefully the 2 week pathway.

I worry that it doesn't show anything wrong when I just stand normally, which is why I hadn't noticed it before now. It was only when I lifted up the saggy skin (tmi, sorry!) that it suddenly became visible, and quite obvious as the photo shows.

You will have a mammo and ultrasound and possibly a biopsy if they can't immediately tell what it is. None of it is very pleasant but it's necessary. One thing at a time.

What I will say is that I took the view that I wouldn't worry about it until I knew what I was dealing with. That helped a lot. Also avoid Google. None of it applies to you or your boob. Get it checked and hopefully you can come back and say all is well. I'm fully recovered thank you and hope to remain that way!

Original poster
primroseandplum · 08/07/2024 22:23

That is a good thought, TheFormidableMrsC (what a great name!), that I'll come back and let you know all is well.

OP posts:
Dressinggowntime · 08/07/2024 22:28

I don’t know how true this is but when I went to the breast clinic the consultant told me the ones to worry about feel like a piece of gravel under the skin.

Original poster
primroseandplum · 08/07/2024 23:01

That's interesting, dressinggoowntime, and good news for me because mine isn't anything like gravel. In fact you can barely feel it, perhaps a flattish slightly raised band about an inch long x 1/2 inch wide. You can only really see it if the light catches it right, and the shadows show the edges are a bit lower, iyswim.

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 08/07/2024 23:03

Dressinggowntime · 08/07/2024 22:28

I don’t know how true this is but when I went to the breast clinic the consultant told me the ones to worry about feel like a piece of gravel under the skin.

Yes I would say that when I found my cancer lump, it was markedly different to the cysts and fibroadenomas I'd had previously and on that basis, my diagnosis didn't come as a huge shock.

Dressinggowntime · 08/07/2024 23:30

TheFormidableMrsC · 08/07/2024 23:03

Yes I would say that when I found my cancer lump, it was markedly different to the cysts and fibroadenomas I'd had previously and on that basis, my diagnosis didn't come as a huge shock.

Show quote history

Bless you!

OooohAhhhh · 08/07/2024 23:38

It will be 2 week pathway, all lumps or at least the majority are.
I too had a lump, but I rang the Drs in the morning and got an appointment the same day.
Mine was normal breast tissue. The 2 week wait is the worst, but they tell you at the breast clinic there and then if it's nothing to worry about. The Dr will refer you because a lump is there, which doesn't necessarily mean it's cancer.
Thinking of you, all the best.

TheFormidableMrsC · 09/07/2024 14:21

primroseandplum · 08/07/2024 23:01

That's interesting, dressinggoowntime, and good news for me because mine isn't anything like gravel. In fact you can barely feel it, perhaps a flattish slightly raised band about an inch long x 1/2 inch wide. You can only really see it if the light catches it right, and the shadows show the edges are a bit lower, iyswim.

I do hope it's just a fibroadenoma. As I said, there is absolutely no point driving yourself potty until you've been seen so try and keep busy and your mind occupied until you have Flowers

Original poster
primroseandplum · 10/07/2024 15:44

Hello again everyone. I saw the GP this morning and she too mentioned other benign things it could be, while also referring me on the urgent 2 week pathway.

She was encouraging and said I could be called in not much more than a week's time, and to try not to worry. So I'm keeping busy and my fingers crossed and will update you after my appointment. x

OP posts:
Goldenmimx · 10/07/2024 17:20

primroseandplum · 10/07/2024 15:44

Hello again everyone. I saw the GP this morning and she too mentioned other benign things it could be, while also referring me on the urgent 2 week pathway.

She was encouraging and said I could be called in not much more than a week's time, and to try not to worry. So I'm keeping busy and my fingers crossed and will update you after my appointment. x

Fingers crossed for you 🤞

TheFormidableMrsC · 10/07/2024 20:42

primroseandplum · 10/07/2024 15:44

Hello again everyone. I saw the GP this morning and she too mentioned other benign things it could be, while also referring me on the urgent 2 week pathway.

She was encouraging and said I could be called in not much more than a week's time, and to try not to worry. So I'm keeping busy and my fingers crossed and will update you after my appointment. x

Good news. One step at a time. I'll keep everything crossed for you Flowers