When I was 18/19 I found a lump in my left breast - on left side in line with my nipple. Being young, naive and thinking I was invincible I’m ashamed to say I didn’t do a thing about it. Stupid I know! Over the years the lump has come and gone. I could go for months/years and not notice it, then it will appear, hang around for a while then go again. There are probably times it’s been there and I haven’t even noticed. This has been the cycle for the last 20 years - I’m 39 now. I don’t think the lump has got bigger over time. It’s here at the moment and for some reason which I can’t explain I’m more concious of it - probably because I’ve been a bit anxious lately due to other stuff. I’ve had a good prod around and it’s quite deep down and hard to locate. On the surface it feels like a little bump but if you grab it, it feels like quite dense tissue. The area in which the lump is doesn’t hurt. My boobs have always been sensitive but more so in my left one and I get random pain. I’m trying to pluck up the courage to make a doctor appointment for peace of mind but I’m absolutely terrified. By doing that I have to admit to myself that something might be wrong and the thought makes me feel sick. I’m not looking for somebody to tell me I haven’t got BC - just looking for a bit of support and opinions. Thank you so much. xx
Please make an appt. I know its daunting to make that step but it’s not bad at all. I would expect your GP will refer you to a breast clinic, because they are not trained to know what a lump could be, only a mammo or ultrasound will.
It’s really not bad being checked out, and they are so very caring, as they know you will have spent a long time worrying prior to your appt.
9/10 breast lumps are benign, so take that comfort as I tried to do while I was waiting for my ultrasound. Make that step, you’ll find the waitng hard for your breast clinic appt, but thats what sites like this are for, as the people here are so lovely and reassuring. It’s important to get any lumps checked to be safe xx
Hi i completely understand the worry!!! 20 years gosh!! I would suggest visiting your GP and asking their opinion as they are the experts. Although from the little I know about cancer I thought it grew bigger not go away and come back. Cysts do that so it could just be a cyst. If you are worried enough to come on a breast cancer forum then please do visit your GP for piece of mind. All the best xx
Hi Meche
You really need to get in touch with your doctor first thing tomorrow to start on the road to finding out what the lump is. On the down side, if it’s something that needs treating then you need to know so that something can be done quickly.
However, as Char80 says, 9 out of 10 lumps are not cancer. It does sound like it’s probably something like a cyst if it’s been coming and going for 20 years but just for your own peace of mind you need to find out what it is. Worrying isn’t going to do you any good and you do sound very anxious now. If you find it’s something like a cyst you can then relax and not keep going through this cycle of worry.
Let us know tomorrow when your appointment is and we can offer some morale support through the process of tests.
Take care.
Flori
X
Thank you so much lovely ladies. I have an appointment first thing tomorrow morning. That was the hardest phone call I’ve ever had to make. I’m hoping because it’s been around for so long that it’s nothing serious but I need peace of mind. I’m going crazy. I was the same last year when I found it again but I ignored it. Think it even went away for a few months! I don’t always prod about for it so don’t always know when it’s there or not. Anyway, will let you know how it goes. Thank you all again. xx
Well ladies - the deed is done! I should feel reassued but still feel a bit anxious by it all. I have been referred but that’s routine procedure. They have to treat all lumps as potential cancer. She firstly said something I’ve had for so many years is highly unlikely to be cancerous - phew! Secondly, after having a good feel she determined that it’s 2cm in diameter, round and smooth, firm but not hard, not attached to anything and it moves around. It’s not a cyst but she called it a Fibrodenomas - also known as a ‘breast mouse’ because of it’s mobility. They can grow up to 5cm. All my other surrounding breast tissue feels normal as is my right boob. She said she was most certainly not worried and neither should I be. So now I just have to psyche myself up for an ultrascan. Thank you so much for your advise and support ladies. I don’t know any of your own personal stories but whatever you are each going through I wish you all the very best.
I’m so glad you made that step! Sounds like that to me too, and where it’s come and gone for 20 years that’s probably the case. A referral to the breast clinic is standard as you say. Try to relax, stay positive, and if you have any wobbly moments these lovely people will help you, as they did me xx
It sounds like it will be good news after your ultra sound so try to forget all about it until your appointment. You’ve obviously managed to put it to the back of your mind at some times over the last 20 years, so try to do that now! 
The ultra sound scan is completely painless. If they see something of concern they may then do a needle or core biopsy and this is a little uncomfortable but not exactly painful. (I had a core biopsy and they used local anaesthetic first. It was a bit bruised for a few day s afterwards but was only a little bit sore).
Please remember to let us know. We love good news on here, even those of us who didn’t get such happy results!
Just think how happy you will be when you know. And even in the (very unlikely) event that it is something sinister, you will be on the way to getting rid of it, so even that will be less of a worry than the awful uncertainty.
Good Luck
Hi ladies,
Just an update from me. I went for my ultrascan and biopsy on Tuesday and I’m pleased to say I got the all clear. I have a fibroadenoma measuring 2 x 3cm. The needle biopsy was a bit uncomfortable but not as bad I thought. All my other breast tissue is normal. I have the option to have it removed but because it’s been there for so long they are leaving it. They have assured me it will not turn cancerous and only to go back if I find it getting bigger or notice any other changes.
Thank you so much ladies for all your support. I don’t know much about your personal experiences but I wish you all the luck in the world with whatever each of you are dealing with. xx
Well done Meche, as the others have said, its nice to get the outcome and glad that the others all said the right things to you.
this is an amazing forum and glad you found it. xxxx