Hi, im currently on a 2ww after discovering a lump in my breast a few weeks ago. I’m 53. My mum had breast cancer when she was 60 - DCIS, had a lump removed followed by 5 years of tamoxifam. Then her breast cancer returned and she had a mastectomy. My GP says my lump feels irregular but doesn’t appear to be tethered. Over the last couple of days i’m having breast pain but keep reading that breast cancer lumps don’t hurt. Is this correct? I’m wondering because I keep prodding and poking my breast that I’m causing it to become tender. Just feeling so worried and alone right now 
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Hi there
I’ve had three breast lumps checked in the last 15 months.
The first one was very big, disc-like in shape, firmish and movable with no pain. The only thing that worried me about this one was its size. It turned out to be a 3.7cm cyst, which was thankfully drained 
The second was very small, pea-like in shape, hard and fixed with no pain. I was worried about this one purely based on it not moving because cancerous lumps don’t move, right? But this one was also was a cyst.
The third was firmish, small at 1cm, and movable. It was actually a feeling of low-level pain that alerted me to finding this lump, however I do think this was caused by laying on it in bed due to it being located on the upper outer quadrant and this feeling tended to be there in the morning but dissipated over the course of the day. I was 100% certain this was another cyst based on how it felt until they told me it looked more solid than that on the ultrasound when I went for my appointment at the hospital. However even then the docs were still more of the side of this one being something benign like a fibroadenoma and biopsied it just to be on the safe side. This one was cancer.
I’ve detailed these to show there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to how a lump presents itself and unfortunately you won’t be able to figure out what it is until the necessary examinations and tests have been carried out. Believe me, I’ve tried! And yes, poking and prodding it will most certainly cause more symptoms, all of which you will think is cancer. Ask me how I know… 
The worry that comes with this experience can be excruciating and leave you feeling very isolated. Luckily you’ve found this forum full of amazing people who’ve all been at the stage you’re at now and are more than happy to provide support to help you through it. Even if you go to your appointment then never post here ever again. 
Wishing you all the luck in the world x
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Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. You just try and read up on everything and read too much into things I guess, and like you say, there are no hard and fast rules, all so individual and different. I do hope you are doing ok. I’m so glad i found this support group. Many thanks once again
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So I had my appt 10 days ago and was told they are very sure i have breadt cancer by how it looks and feels. I had f 2 mammograms, ultrasound and they took biopsies and placed the clip in. The MDT is tomorrow to plan my next steps and I go back next week to see the surgeon. Just feel numb and that im just going through the motions. Just doesn’t seem real.