I found a lump
Warning – this post is about breasts. My breasts. It’s not something I feel altogether comfortable talking or writing about. If you don’t feel comfortable reading about it, look away now. Pop back tomorrow!
Spoiler alert – there is nothing bad or scary happens at the end, so don’t worry.
For some women, breast pain or discomfort is a regular (usually monthly) thing. I am not one of those women. The only time I have EVER had any breast discomfort was in early pregnancy with my eldest.
But a few weeks ago, I suddenly felt some discomfort in my right breast. It was only slight, but it took me by surprise as it was so alien to me. It was there for a couple of days and then it went. A few weeks later it was back. I’ll be honest, I found it slightly worrying as it wasn’t normal for me. When it comes to breasts and whether or not you should worry, normality is a big factor.
I decided the source of the discomfort was a small lump next to my nipple, which has been there for as long as I can remember. I definitely know it was there shortly after I had my daughter, but it might have been there forever, I really don’t know. It looked slightly different to how it had looked before.
Recently TheBoyandMe shared a picture on social media of things to look out for in your breasts – and there was actually a fair few things. One of them was ‘puckering’. I wasn’t sure if my breast was ‘puckered’ so much as ‘sagging’, but it looked different from the left. How are you supposed to tell what is puckering and what is sagging?
I tried checking for any other lumps, but my breasts are so small and I am so thin that when I think I feel a lump it turns out to actually be own ribs I can feel! So that at least set my mind at rest, although I was still worried. I was scared of going to the doctor and hearing something bad, but I was even more scared of leaving it any longer.
My mind raced ahead to me with cancer – breaking it to my children, then unable to care for them as I was so weak. How would they manage? (We all do that – thinking of the worst case scenarios and scaring ourselves, right?)
So I went to the doctor. He agreed the little lump was a bit strange, but was certain it wasn’t cancer. He’s going to refer me to the breast clinic for a non-urgent appointment as he thinks it may be a good idea to remove it anyway.
And I drove home with an enormous weight lifted from my shoulders. I was glad I’d got it checked and I was SO glad it was nothing sinister. My kids will have to put up with me nagging them looking after them for a lot longer yet!
These are useful links about signs to look out for from Breakthrough Breast Cancer and NHS Choices.
If you do find anything on your breasts that you are even slightly worried about, see your doctor. You won’t be wasting their time. The chances are it will be something completely harmless and you will go home feeling on top of the world, just like I did. But if you find it’s something worse, by getting it checked early, you are giving yourself the very best chance of beating it.
Oh my goodness, how awful for you?! You are going through the mill at the moment. I hope everything is ok
Thank you! It seems to be OK, thanks, but we do seem to have more than our fair share of little health worries lately!
So glad this ends well but it’s a scary thing to have happen!! I had to go once and it turned out to be a weird kind if cyst. I was terrified. I hope people read this and check themselves x
Thanks very much. It was a scary thing. I think it was made worse by it happening over Christmas and the new year, so I couldn’t get to see a doctor straight away. People definitely need to remember to check themselves. x
How scary for you! So glad everything turned out ok! It is always best to get these things checked out though x
Thanks very much. It definitely is best to get checked! x
Scary! Glad all is OK though. It’s always the best thing to do – go and get things checked out. I recently found a funny looking mole, went to the drs, had it removed and luckily it was not cancerous. But those 3 weeks wait to find out were extremely tough. Jess x
Wow, I bet they were tough, that’s a long wait. Glad it was all OK and thanks very much for taking the time to comment. x
Glad all is ok. The but about feeling your own ribs made me smile and reassured me, I do the same!
Thanks very much. Glad it’s not just me that can feel their own ribs!
A very important post to share and just shows that doctors take us seriously even if we think they are insignificant. I don’t check mine nearly enough, despite having seen others go through breast cancer. Thank you for the reminder x
Thanks very much. We should definitely all check regularly. I haven’t seen anyone go through breast cancer, but a couple of good friends have been diagnosed with other cancers over the last couple of years (thankfully both fine now) and it serves as a timely reminder that none of us are immune and it really can happen to anyone. x
Thanks very much, it definitely is best to get these things checked! x
Always a scary moment, but well done for going to get it checked out x
Thanks very much, I’m so glad I did! x
Ah thank goodness! My Nan had breast cancer and had to have both breasts removed back in the 70s. She went onto live a good 30 years more! So checking really is vital! x
Wow, that’s amazing! Thanks very much. x
Oh darling, what a fright, so glad you went to get it checked out
Thank you! It was scary for a few days.
I am so pleased that you went to the doctor and got it checked, well done for facing your fear.
Thanks very much. And thanks for inspiring me (or scaring me!) to do it.
As you say, so important to know what normal is and to get anything concerning checked out early.
We’ve got breast cancer in the female side of my family, and I want to go and get my genes checked out although everyone was older when they suffered, but although I checked mine (not massively regularly, but hopefully regularly enough), I want to rule out the genetic factor.
Glad yours wasn’t anything sinister
Thanks very much. Sounds very important that you do get your genes checked. I’m lucky that we don’t have cancer of any sort in our family (touches wood), but I’ve seen with friends how it can hit people completely unexpectedly.
So glad you’re OK honey. Cannot begin to imagine how worrying it must have been. But we should all be vigilant, and get checked out if there’s the slightest doubt about whether our breasts are “normal”.
We definitely should! Thanks very much.
So glad that all seems to be well but how scary for you. So important to check breasts regularly though and to see the doctor if there are any worries. Hope all goes well with your breast clinic appointment.
Thanks very much, it was worrying! Not good to have it over Christmas and New Year when the GP’s surgery is closed. So pleased it’s something and nothing, but so important to get checked!
A ha! Now i see. Read posts in wrong order. Thank you for sharing, helps s lot as i always feel i have no idea what I’m looking for! Will read the other post you reference too.
You’re welcome! I thought it was important to share as it should hopefully help others.
Hi Sarah, Thanks for this post. I have a lump too, which my go has said she wants checked ‘ but clinically it is not presenting as cancer’. I have my breast clinic appt in 9 days (almost 3 weeks after go visit here in Scotland). I am struggling with the anxiety of it all and I found your post so helpful, particularly the description of the mammogram procedure and your remark that going early about a concern gives you the best chance should something be found. I too am fretting about them finding something else perhaps in the other breast. It goes to show that such breast clinic anxieties are normal so thank you for taking the time to post. You have helped me. Sandra xx
So glad I’ve helped you! It’s a very scary thing and the wait isn’t much fun either. The breast clinic I went to was so good and I’m sure they are all the same. Good luck!
Hi Sarah, Just got the all clear. Thank you so much for posting about your visit – mine was similar. Fibrocystic changes found by a lovely consultant. Mammogram and ultrasound done. Your post really helped me – I felt less alone. Thanks, Sandra xx
That’s fantastic news! Thanks very much for popping back to let me know and I’m so glad my post helped you. x
Go =GP!