Breast lump

[AREJAAG]

I have a 1 year old boy who I exclusively pumped for. I stopped around 3/4 weeks ago. In March I went for a scan on my boob because I found a lump, which didn’t disappear in over a month (doctor wasn’t concerned - said it was just precaution). When I went for the scan the doctor also wasn’t concerned by my symptoms or after feeling the lump. The lady who scanned me said she wasn’t concerned, it all looked like normal breast tissue but where the lump was there’s a blood vessel running over it and that’s what feels like a lump. Anyway this was in March and as I said I haven’t been pumping for around a month now. The lump is still there and when I look at my breast in the mirror can see a vein going down the side that sticks out a bit, not where the lump is. I don’t think the lump has changed and it’s not necessarily painful but I’m very aware of it and feel it constantly - probably because I’m still anxious about it. They rang me just after I left the scan appointment to let me know it was nothing concerning and that it would likely resolve after I’ve stopped expressing. There’s still no other concerning symptoms. I sometimes think I feel it ache a bit but as I say I am constantly prodding it and feeling it because I get anxious about it. I’m just wondering if this has happened to anyone else? Or something similar? How long does it take for breasts to return to normal after breastfeeding/expressing for a year? If you made it this far thank you for reading my anxious rant, just in need of some reassurance I think, I can’t leave the bloody thing alone (which probably isn’t helping anything) and it’s driving me mad. When I google it, it doesn’t tell me what I want to see, but does it ever? 🤣

Also just to add to that, as they said it was a blood vessel I’ve unlocked a new fear that there’s something wrong with a vein and I shouldn’t get on the plane to go on holiday on Thursday. I am just an anxious wreck to be honest lol

I think if you’re still concerned and it’s still there then you return to the breast clinic and tell them that it hasn’t gone away or reduced. If you’ve been checked it’s very unlikely to be anything sinister. Did you have an ultrasound? I’ve had breast cancer so I understand your fear but given what you describe, I am sure it’s fine. However, do ask to be checked again.

Yeah I’ve had it checked by a few doctors and had an ultrasound. They weren’t concerned and the advice was that it will reduce/resolve when I stop with the breast feeding but I’m just unsure how long it takes for everything to go back to normal so I don’t know. I think I will get it seen to again after my holiday. Thank you, and I’m sorry you went through that, it must have been scary x

I’d enjoy your holiday and see how things are when you return. An ultrasound would have identified cancer. That is how mine was found and yes it wasn’t great but I got through it and I’m here to tell the tale! If it’s still there and bothering you when you get back, go and ask to be seen again. I can reassure you that you would not have been sent away if there was any doubt and you would have also had a biopsy on the spot. Please try and be reassured by that!

Thank you so much you have put my mind at ease. They were very quick to contact me back and reassure me that everything seemed to be normal. That’s very reassuring thank you, and I’m really glad things went well for you that’s brilliant xx

Hey!
I have just had an ultrasound on a lumpy area near my nipple that I was obsessing over and constantly prodding and making sore thinking the worst! I thought it was a lump I couldn’t make out if it definitely was. Turned out just to be lumpy tissue and my doctor told me to start taking evening primrose capsules as it makes the lumpy breast tissue softer.
Go back for a second opinion if your worried as I know exactly what it’s like to feel so anxious and unsettled! I was constantly touching and digging into my lump to always feel it and my boob stuck out like a sore thumb and then that made me think I had more symptoms because it was sore and throbbing! You have had the scan and have no other symptoms so you’re absolutely fine but you know your own body!