Lump in Breast

[Nomis mummy]

About 5 weeks ago, I discovered a lump in my left breast close to the nipple (under the nipple). Its about the size of a malteser, firm and I can kind of move it about slightly (I think - or it could be the size of my breast, which makes skin move and not the actual lump move). I went to see my GP and I have been referred to the breast clinic at my local hospital. I have been told that its most likely a blocked milk duct, but I am still scared!!!! I just want to hear from ladies who have been in a similar situation.

Also, what can I expect to happen at the breast clinic? I would be grateful for any feedback.

 

[KayBea]

no advice hun but x

 

[AllyTiel]

I had a lump the size of a pea a few years ago in the top part of my breast, about an inch above the nipple. I was 18 then I think. It really bothered me after about 6 months or longer and it wasn't going away. It was hard and didn't move. I finally went and got a sonogram and a mammogram and they couldn't tell me just what it was. They guessed a cyst perhaps. It still made me feel better that they didn't think it was cancer right off but I was scheduled to come back 6 months later for another sonogram to see if it had changed.
I got my next sonogram and they called with the results a few days later. It had shrunk, so def wasn't cancer. It has stayed shrunk down so I can't even feel it anymore. It was good news and I'm sure it will be the same for you hun
Im guessing you will get a sonogram or mammogram or both, like me.

 

[Rickles]

I had one - got it checked by the GP who said it was a blocked milk duct, don't panic hun sounds like they are just being super cautious which is a good thing xx

 

[Randianne]

My sister and I both have fibrocystic breast condition, which causes lumps in the breast. The lumps tend to be smooth and moveable. Sometimes the rest of the breast will feel grainy too. They are completely benign. My sister had two large and painful lumps removed at 20, but she has it far worse than I do. I have lumps, but they're not very big or painful.

The information my doctor gave me said 60% of women have it in varying degrees. So it's good that you're getting checked, but it's much more likely to be this than breast cancer. If you have a moderate case like mine, you'll just need earlier and more frequent mammograms. While the condition itself is harmless, it is harder to detect actual breast cancer in someone with FBC.

Good luck and I hope everything turns out well.

 

[Bevziibubble]

I had a small pea-shaped moveable lump in my areola close to the nipple last year. I was so worried but the doctor said it was just a blocked milk duct, I wasn't even trying for a baby at the time so it can happen. She said it was nothing to worry about at all. The fact that a lump is moveable is usually a good sign too. I'm sure all is fine hun but it's only natural for you to worry

 

[MillieJoan]

My sister and I both have fibrocystic breast condition, which causes lumps in the breast. The lumps tend to be smooth and moveable. Sometimes the rest of the breast will feel grainy too. They are completely benign.

I have this as well, and have since I was about 20. After LO was born and I'd been nursing her for a few months, I noticed a couple of new lumps in my right breast, one of which was quite large, so I decided to get them checked out. A sonogram showed they're just new cystic lumps, and the doctor told me it's common for women's breasts to change this way while breastfeeding.

I know how scary finding a lump can be--I was petrified back in college when I got my first sonogram, and this most recent time I was even nervous, despite suspecting it was just more of the same. Good luck!!

 

[Melandmartyn]

I currently have the same thing I stopped breastfeeding my son 3weeks ago and now have a lump my gp has said it will just be a blocked milk duct and if it hasn't gone in 2weeks to go back but if it is painful and red on the skin then it could be an infection but if not don't worry!! Hope this helps xx

 

[_dreamer_]

Hi, I felt a lump when I'd been breastfeeding for about 5 months, it was very hard, slightly moveable and a bit bigger than a pea. My gp had a feel and could feel another under my breast, she referred me to the breast clinic. At mine they have to see you within 2 weeks of the referral. There I had a manual exam first, then they sent me for an ultrasound - I was told they tend to do this first for younger patients (im 26). That was just like when you were pregnant, was fine apart from having to lie there with no top on lol. All was fine, nothing to worry about and the consultant said they are likely to be pockets which fill with breastmilk and it can't drain. But that when i stop feeding they should go away/empty out.

Tomorrow I will see if I can find the leaflet I was given, it gave info on the different tests they might have done

Try not to stress too much, I think its very rare for it to be anything serious, and a lot more common to be cysts, blocked ducts etc.

 

[Olivermsmummy]

When LO was 4 weeks I got mastitis in my right breast which was treated with antibiotics. When LO was 6-7 weeks I noticed a sizeable lump (almost golf ball size) again on my right breast which wasn't painful at all, I used every trick I could thinking I had a blocked duct but nothing cleared it. I went to my gp when LO was 10 weeks she thought it felt as if it was mastitis but I had no other symptoms so I was also referred to the breast clinic. I got my appointment within 2 weeks, whilst there I first saw a consultant who examined me and thought it was probably a cyst I was then sent for an ultrasound (they don't like to use mammograms if you're bf) the doctor carrying out the ultrasound found 3 lumps which he wasn't overly happy about so he did 3 biopsies there and then. They are painful afterwards. I then went back into see the consultant who advised they didn't believe the lumps to be anything to worry about and they should dissipate themselves (all of this happened at the 1 clinic by the way). That was Wednesday on Friday I felt a bit off colour and the area if the initial lump became sore so I went back to my gp who diagnosed mastitis again, I was out on antibiotics again. The following Tuesday I thought the lump was looking v unusual and hasn't cleared at all do I went back on Wednesday morning only to be sent to a&e as I had an abscess. It was drained slightly in Wednesday evening and then on Friday I was admitted for surgery to have an "incision and drainage" turns out the lump was mastitis after all but it was contained until the biopsy was carried out!! I'm all healed now (although it did take 2 months of dressing changes every day!) and although none of it was nice to go through I'm glad it was nothing sinister!
If you are bf please ask your gp for antibiotics for mastitis (like I said I had no other symptoms second time round) just incase that's what it is and it could be cleared before you even get to the clinic.
Good luck keep us informed

 

[Nomis mummy]

Thanks guys. Will let you know how it's turns out. Have appointment next thurs