Lump in My Breast - Vincennes,IN

Updated on February 27, 2010
L.S. asks from Vincennes, IN
12 answers

I am 30 years old and have a 3 year old daughter. About 7-10 days ago I noticed my left breast feeling swollen/tender. I could feel a lump in it sometimes and sometimes not. Every since Wednesday I have been able to feel the lump and it has really been hurting. I would describe it as a plugged milk duct when I was nursing (not currently nursing). My first thought was that I might be pregnant. I was supposed to start my menstral cycle today and have only had spotting. Has anyone experienced ths before? What could it be?

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I wouldnt get immediately worried, but I would go see a doc. Just for peace of mind, but I have a family history of breast cancer and went in for a weird wart once, so I'm one who errs on the side of caution.

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A.R.

answers from Cincinnati on

Good Afternoon! I have to tell you that I get this every time around my menstrual cycle. It hurts like crazy (sometimes just to lift my arm) and I can feel the nodule/lump in my breast. I have had it checked out (mammogram and ultrasound) and the doctors were not concerned. Please don't ignore it just by what I am posting b/c if you think it is something more, please don't hesitate to contact your OB/GYN. Have a great day!

E.M.

answers from Dayton on

It hard to say what it is really without having it checked out. As you can tell, many women experience lumps and/or pain along with it, but you've also received so many different answers. I would certainly have it checked out. About 10 years ago (in my 20's) I had lumps and pain...turned out to be cystic fibrosis, and the doc told me to stop smoking (I did) and to stop or severly cut back on my caffeine (I did) and the cysts went away over time. I now take in all the caffeine I want and the problem has never re-occurred. Good luck to you figuring out what it is and my blessing are with you that it is nothing serious.

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J.M.

answers from Elkhart on

I was 29 and had a painful lump. I had a mammogram, ultrasound, and a ductogram (painful milks to come out stuff is not meant to go in your milk duct.) anyway get it checked out.
The surgeon described breast like this....Your breast grow like grapes in a bunch and they renew tissue every so often. once the breast tissue gets older it withers up like an old grape and the body reabsorbs it and produces new. (hence the lumpy feeling breast right before your period). Mine was scar tissue wrapped around the milk duct. They removed it in order to tell but I am glad I did it.
Your milk ducts open more just before your period pregnant or not. nursing or not. Get it checked and if they don't find anything maybe try closer to your period the next time you have the doctor checkit.
Always check your family history any type of cancer in your family tree is a reason to have a check up.
Your doctor can order a screening mammogram now if you are concerned even if he doesn't feel the same thing you do.
For peace of mind get checked out. Good Luck!!!

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J.S.

answers from Cleveland on

I just went thru 3 months of the same questions. I was having pain, and could feel a series of lumps. I went to Dr. and had Ultrasound and Mammo and they could not see anything. They repeated in a month and did not see anything again. Both my priamry care and Gyn are comfortable that everything is normal, but I am still a little unsettled that I dont have an answer as to why all of us feel lumps, but can't see anything.
The good news for both you and me is that in the great majority of the time, Cancer is not painful. There was just a study completed that 85% of women with breast cancer (even advanced stages) report no pain in their breasts. I hope that helps ease your mind a bit if you were concerned about that.
If it continues more than a week, please see your doc, and best of luck.

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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

Yes, I have something similar. I have a small lump on the side of my right breast between the nipple and my armpit. It developed about 6 years ago.
I usually don't notice it until 4-5 days right before my period. Then it aches and is very tender.

My ob/gyn referred me to a surgeon who ordered another mammogram and an ultrasound. Turns out it a benign polycystic something...or other and is not a reason to worry. It gets a little painful once a month when it swells (due to hormones) and pushes on the nerves near my armpit. The rest of the month, I hardly know it's there.

Best news: Surgeon told me the ones that get your attention are more likely the harmless ones.....the lumps that could be a problem are usually very silent. Women often don't feel anything as those type grow.

He told me I could have my lump removed, but the lump is right near a nerve and if the nerve got severed, I could lose a little feeling on my side. So I opted to leave it. It's the same as it was 6 years ago and it's my "time of the month detector."
To ease your mind, and get an answer for sure, based on your situation, ask your ob/gyn about it, if it continues.

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K.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

You know, I notice my breast are more "lumpy" when I am due to start or on my period. If you notice things, it would never hurt to give the OB or even your primary to have them check it out. A lump could be nothing at all or it could be something more serious. I wouldn't want to wait too long on this one. Best of Luck.

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D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

ALWAYS HAVE THOSE KIND OF THINGS CHECKED OUT!! I will tell you that I've been told (I had one) that when they hurt, they are likely something other than breast cancer. Mine happened to be a cyst. I hurt ALOT and grew from a pea size to about peach pit within 2-3 months.

I was under ALOT of stress (my fiance' died) and evidently, all of this triggered it's growth. I actually told my fiance about it and he MADE me call while he was standing there. Unfortunately, the gal who answered the phone told me that if it wasn't bothering me, not to worry about it. So, I didn't. This was in the spring.

My finace died in June and by fall, it was RRRRRREALLY bothering me. When I told my doctor how long it had been there and he asked me why I didn't have it checked out earlier, I told him what had happened. I've never seen him so upset. He tried to find out WHICH nurse or receptionist it was, but couldn't. Regardless, he was NOT happy and told me I should have come in immediately.

The outcome was negative, but after that experience, I NEVER take anything like that for granted or take any chances. They did tell me that the likelyhood of it being cancer was far less if it hurts. I guess the vast majority of times, cancerous tumors don't even hurt and that's why many times they go undetected if you don't have a regular check.

REGARLESS, make the call and the appointment!

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D.H.

answers from Toledo on

Don't walk run to your doctor!

B.F.

answers from Toledo on

Lynette,
I had the exact same thing. I was worried because cancer runs in my family. I agree with what the others say and the pain is a good sign because cancer doesnt cause pain, at least in that format. I had a mastisis and needed antibiotics. I wouldnt be too alarmed but would get it checked out as soon as possible. Better safe then sorry.

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K.Z.

answers from Cleveland on

Have it checked out and be safe.

On the pregnancy side, I remember once I thought I was getting my period a little early, which was a big disappointment because we were trying to conceive, and it was just a little spotting. Turns out I WAS pregnant, and it was something called "implantation bleeding" which can happen when the embryo is implanting onto the uterine wall. So, until you know for sure you are not pregnant, proceed as though you ARE (for x-rays, etc.).

Good luck and let us know what happens!

K. Z.

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M.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Call your doctor and have the lump checked out. Don't take any chances. If you are spotting you're probably not pregnant but you may want to take a OTC test just in case.

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