MetaChat - I just found a large lump in my breast.

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03 July 2005

I just found a large lump in my breast. →[More:](First off, I'm seeing my doctor next week. I'd just like some feedback/resources/possible reassurance in the meantime.)

The lump is quite large (based on what I can see/feel, I'm estimating it's a litte bigger than a quarter, but obviously not flat like one) and has appeared very suddenly -- it wasn't there a few weeks ago when I did my monthly self-exam, and the fella I've been dating says it wasn't there when he, um, checked the other day. The lump is very firm, moves just slightly, and doesn't hurt. I had two small, benign papillomas from the ducts of the same breast removed about 4-1/2 years ago, but nothing since then. (Cancer history: I had thyroid cancer about 8 years ago, and one of my grandmothers and aunts were both breast cancer survivors.)

The calm, rational side of me is assuming that it's probably just a benign cyst. I can't find any info that seems to account for such a large lump appearing almost literally overnight, though -- which is freaking me out just a little.

post by: scody at: 12:33 | 47 comments

From what I read, trama can cause the exact thing you described. Maybe you gave yourself a good whack and didn't pay that much attention at the time?

posted by puddinghead 03 July | 12:51

Get it checked out, scody. I'll find a church and light a candle for you, girl*. But, you'll be fine, methinks, I need someone to bullshit about the Rollers with.

*Which might not help, but it can't hurt either

posted by jonmc 03 July | 13:07

scody,
I'm sure you're going to be ok. You've done what you can until you go to a doc. It seems strange that it would appear so quickly, but I choose to read it as strange-benign. I hope your guy is supportive.
Andrew

posted by omiewise 03 July | 13:08

What they said (except for the church part). Just try to stay calm until you get in to the doc. Talk to your close friends and tell them "it's probably OK but I'm still freaking out" and get their support.

posted by matildaben 03 July | 13:25

Aw, scody, this sucks so bad to happen at a time when you can't get to the doctor immediately! The fact that it's large and appeared so quickly seems to me maybe a good sign that it's something else. I had something like that (though not breast), that totally freaked me out but turned out to be nothing. I'm wishing you all the nothing in the world.

posted by taz 03 July | 13:30

Scody, I don't have any good advice, but you have all my sympathies.

posted by dame 03 July | 13:35

Don't panic. It's most likely nothing serious. But if it is, you've discovered it almost immediately and you're doing something about it.

posted by kmellis 03 July | 13:42

Not to be naive or anything, but could it possibly an ingrown hair? I found a sudden lump in my upper thigh that concerned me and a bit of poking and prodding did reveal it to be just one of those. I know it might not be the most pleasant kind of thing to find on a boob, but at least it's optimistic.

I will ask my mom (a clinical herbalist who recently received her RN) to see if she has any ideas.

Actually, just mentioning my mom reminds me that cabbage is a great extractant(?). I know this may sound silly, but tuck a few leaves as a poultice in your bra on the spot and if it is a benign cyst or ingrown hair, the cabbage can get it out. When a friend of mine developed a cyst on her thumb, cabbage worked better to shrink it than anything the doctors had perscribed.

This site doesn't mention this property in detail, but here's at least one web reference for you.

posted by frecklefaerie 03 July | 13:50

Thanks, everyone, for the good thought and kind words. (And don't worry, jon, your BCR buddy ain't going anywhere!!) The trauma suggestion is interesting -- I recall bumping myself a bit on the abs machine at the gym the other night (the kind where you lean your torso against a pad, then crunch forward), but it didn't seem that hard at the time. Still, I'll mention it to my doc. I don't think it could be an ingrown hair just based on the position of the lump (though that definitely once happened in my armpit once -- I thought it was a swollen lymph node! Heh.). I've decided to spend the rest of the day with my nephews -- there's nothing quite like three wild boy-monkeys to distract one's self from worrying, I find!

posted by scody 03 July | 14:25

Nothing of value to add, just sending my sympathies and wishing you luck.

posted by arse_hat 03 July | 15:04

Also nothing of value to add except that I suspect you have the strength to deal with and get through whatever the outcome. My best wishes.

posted by hojoki 03 July | 15:08

Good luck next week.

posted by gaspode 03 July | 15:47

I have no advice but you know my thoughts are with you and hope it's nothing significant (other than a quick scare).

posted by Slack-a-gogo 03 July | 16:02

all the best scody, i'm sure you'll be fine.

posted by dodgygeezer 03 July | 16:11

Good luck. I know someone who just recently found a jelly-bean-size lump right under her jaw, and she was worried about it until she saw the doctor.

Something that might comfort you that she learned from her doctor is that cysts, as compared to tumors, are firm, like you said. Doctors usually like to make sure about these things, so she got an x-ray, but this doctor was fairly certain after just feeling my friend's lump that it was not a tumor. The x-rays proved him correct.

posted by invitapriore 03 July | 17:10

Hope you're well, scody.

posted by kenko 03 July | 17:28

I just wanted to add my well-wishes. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that it's something minor.

posted by LeeJay 03 July | 18:28

Keep your chin (and other parts) up, scody. Potentially alarming medical discoveries are most common during holiday weekends (my flesh-eating bacteria attacked me 4 years ago on Thanksgiving). In fact, statistically, there should be at least 11.5 more of the 25K MeFites in the same boat as you.

Until you do get to a trustworthy doctor, distract, distract, distract. The time spent with Huey, Dewey and Louie is a great idea except for the possibility of them causing further "trauma lumps". Go out to see a very silly movie and cynically comment on it out loud. Drive to right outside where one of the big fireworks displays will be tomorrow and watch it without paying. Phone old friends and distant relatives and do nothing but brag about your wireless plan. Force your boyfriend to give back and shoulder rubs. Add a few comments to the obscenely long 9622v2 thread. Cook something you haven't eaten in six months or more. And don't miss all the big events on TV: The "Monk" marathon on USA or "Beauty and the Geek" marathon on Channel 5; "The 2005 Hot Dog Eating Championship" on ESPN2 or "A Hot Dog Program" on all 4 local PBS stations; "The Legacy of Richard J. Daley" on C-SPAN (But avoid the Lifetime channel - I hear they're doing a breast cancer movie marathon). Just stay distracted.

And if you do have to go to the hospital, we'll make it the site of the next MeFi/MoFi L.A. Meetup (which is one more reason to pray that it's nothing serious...)

If laughter is the best medicine, I am a placebo.

posted by wendell 03 July | 19:36

size and placement? consistency?
mostly i say don't worry too much
and add many a very old lady likes to tell the tale of hickies which caused fibroid cysts.
i'd just like to say if you are in a more metropolitan area, not to go nutso even if it's covered by health insurance.
it sounds like no matter what they may lumpectomy and biopsy it to see, just in case, but that is relatively uninvasive compared to the "not my boobs" trauma.
fibroids will start showing up in some people more than most because of geneology, lifestyle (read as coffee), whatever. Some breasts even go through an "extra lumpy time" cyclicly.
if i could find the gladwell article about just how fuzzy mammy ready can be, i defintely wouldn't worry unless there is a chronic predisposition in the near family.
fibroids and cysts are pretty common after 30.
that's just standard gp talk. as you were. shoot off something big and sparkly for me

posted by ethylene 03 July | 19:46

by near i mean nuclear
also, wondering if i've blown the line between a little and not enough info (trying to prevent neurotic hypochondrism), it does sound like fluid and i wonder about the possible previous scar tissue.
this might be just the excuse to take time off to enjoy life and take a casual general reassessment.
i qualify that by offering you a free reading i'll spit out at ya, if you email, to allay any stray fears
(this applies just to scody right now, please do not spam me)

posted by ethylene 03 July | 20:09

fluid like edema, damn you, context!
i am not named jorn and i love the jews!

posted by ethylene 03 July | 20:32

Hope it turns out OK, scody.

posted by dg 03 July | 21:16

I just phoned my mother, who had a fibroid cyst removed from her breast years ago and she says that it showed up very quickly. One week it wasn't there, the next week it was. So there are cases of cysts showing up quickly. Just wanted to add that.

posted by LeeJay 03 July | 21:44

You'll let us all know what happens, of course. Meanwhile, there's lots of love vibes being beamed at you, and you will be fine.

posted by puddinghead 03 July | 21:45

just to diffuse any of the random crap i posted above
have this interstital as i have coffee:

--so then my curiosity led to a thirteen point spread that said there had been quite the happy progress recently made in scodyland. So what was this niggling bit of the past that was to help her now? Who was this smart guy who was suppose to help her out and was he hot? What was the thing that lost out in favor of material ease? And what was it she was going to find out from her family or her past that would lead her to that next level kick in the ass?
And what was the sparkling brilliance in her field of esteem she was hoping for?

posted by ethylene 03 July | 21:50

Good luck, scody. Don't worry too much, but worry just enough - as you already have, by recognizing the (potential) problem and acting on it. This alone puts you above most people.

posted by yhbc 03 July | 22:54

paulina had the same thing about 4 years ago. spent a hellish day or three waiting to see what it was all about. anyway, in her case, it turned out that she had various odd lumps that were just "normal".

i just went and asked, and she doesn't know how long it was between not finding and finding it, unfortunately. sorry.

you'll probably feel better once you're in a hospital for a checkup. they know what they're doing. remember that finding this is *good*. way better than having missed it.

you're doing all the right things, even though it's scary. good luck.

posted by andrew cooke 03 July | 23:25

Good luck is so trite but it is all I have.
Rub in twice a day after meals.

posted by peacay 03 July | 23:55

don't rub it! the fella might get a case of lumpy nuts!

posted by ethylene 04 July | 00:15

More good thoughts of good health and healing your way, scody.

posted by Frisbee Girl 04 July | 02:35

My mom got small, firm lumps in her thigh a few years ago, and they turned out to be benign fatty deposits. Maybe that's a possibility? Until your appointment, like other people have said, stay busy and stay brave!

posted by halonine 04 July | 03:03

i'm going to have to examine the lump personally before venturing an opinion.

(ok, i couldn't help that, now it's out of the way: yikes! it must be scary scody. i'll keep ~~your breasts~~ you (there i go again) in my prayers.)

posted by quonsar 04 July | 11:32

i accidently deleted bdave's comment above. so sorry, it was completely unintentional. i meant to delete scody's comment about [more inside] after inserting one for her, and clicked the wrong one. i'm a doofus.

posted by quonsar 04 July | 11:36

Gladwell on mammography.

Sending good thoughts your way, scody. Let us know what the doc says.

posted by languagehat 04 July | 16:05

Keeping you in my thoughts, scody. Stay positive and take care of yourself.

And I'm also voting for cyst/benign/impacted/something due to it's sudden appearance.

posted by deborah 04 July | 16:44

I had something similar happen a few years ago. Scared me to death. Turns out it was from whacking my boobs against something while I was helping move my washer into the basement. Apparently, large breasted women (according to my doctor) have this happen with some regularity because...well, frankly, they are in the way. :) (DD-F cup here, I hit stuff with mine all the time unintentionally.)

Seeing the doctor is absolutely the best thing to do. What they'll probably do is set you up for a needle biopsy. They'll use anesthesia / anesthetic, so it's not painful at all, even afters. The biopsy reports can take a few days to come back...those days are the hardest, or they were for me.

The following oils can be mixed with either almond oil or jojoba oil for some pain relief if it's tender: sesame, tea tree, peppermint, basil, cinnamon. (Don't use basil if you're menstruating, as it can make cramps worse. Also, some people are allergic to cinnamon...test it on the inside of your elbow first. Put it on, let it sit for an hour or so.) Use about one teaspoon of essential oils to about a cup of carrier oil.

Also, second the idea of cabbage leaves for pain relief and drawing of toxins. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted and let me know if I can do anything to help.

posted by PsychoKitty 04 July | 17:33

More good thoughts being sent your way, scody. For what it's worth, I've had several girlfriends over the years who had experiences very similar to yours, and in every case it turned out to be benign cysts.

posted by bmarkey 04 July | 19:54

Mmmmm - more good thoughts hon!!!!! And some more "it was nothing" stories: I found a lump and rushed to the doctor. It turned out to be so unimportant that I didn't even get a mammogram. My doctor said she didn't know where it came from & didn't care, just don't worry, eejit, it's nothing. It went away as mysteriously as it had appeared and that was some 15 odd years and several completely healthy mammograms back. And then there is my friend, of whom an old NC country doctor said, "Honey, your boobs are just like tapioca pudding they're so full of lumps! But it's nothin' to worry about." And she hasn't and has been fine. And also changed doctors, thank the gods. I think the odds are in your favor.

posted by mygothlaundry 04 July | 22:37

To change the subject (I am the one who told you to distract, distract, distract 'til you get to the doctor), but isn't quonsar the one who keeps complaining about Matt & Jess' moderation practices on the MeFi?

quonsar deleted a comment! haw haw!

"Ma'am, the results are back from your biopsy, and I'm sorry to say you tested positive for quonsar." See what happens when you photoshop t-shirts, q-ball?

Another batch of good thoughts are aimed at you, scody.

posted by wendell 05 July | 00:22

*thinks good thoughts for scody*

posted by Schyler523 05 July | 02:17

i'm thinking fibroid too--let us all know, scody, and be well.

posted by amberglow 05 July | 09:06

*deletes wendell's comment*

posted by quonsar 05 July | 10:39

Gosh, thank you so much, everyone! Honestly, this thread really has made me feel much better -- it's definitely helped keep the pit-in-the-stomach feelings to a minimum. Also thanks to those who've asked about how The New Guy's been handling it -- he's been incredibly sweet and supportive, so it's been nice to have someone to lean on here. I'll see the doc on Thursday, and will post back in here to let you know what she says. Thanks again, all. You folks are the best cyber-friends a girl ever had!

posted by scody 05 July | 20:56

It being Thursday and all. . .hope you had a good appointment.

posted by Feisty 07 July | 16:20

irritatingly, my appointment got bumped to tomorrow (apparently due to some combo of an emergency my doctor had to attend to in the morning, plus several double-booked appointments in the afternoon), so still no word, but at least I won't have to wait long. But thanks, Feisty!

posted by scody 07 July | 20:51

Okay, finally met with my doc. She says she's cautiously optimistic that it's a cyst, too (whew!), based mostly on its suddenness and partly by its feel, though to be sure she's of course referred me for a mammogram and an ultrasound. Soonest I can get in for that is a month away, though, so I've still got some waiting to do till we know for sure (though the woman I spoke with at the radiology dept. said if there are any changes -- i.e., gets bigger, more lumps appear, or I start having pain -- they'll see me sooner). So that's all the news that's fit to print for now. Thanks again to everyone for offering kind words and calming anecdotes!

posted by scody 08 July | 20:21

Good, scody- if she was a bit worried you'd be at the mammo lab right now. Lay off the caffeine.

posted by puddinghead 08 July | 21:03

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