Cancer Research UK main site

Lump on armpit aged 31

Niknakpaddywakx
Offline

I recently found a lump on my armpit while in the shower which had appeared suddenly. It was quite large for around 5 days so I went to the doctor who examined it with another doctor and decided to send me to the breast clinic. However within the last few days the lump has became much smaller. I now feel like I'd be wasting time attending the breast clinic. I'm just looking for some advice on whether or not I should still attend. Of course I was concerned that it could be breast cancer, but since it has reduced I am feeling much less worried now. Would I be wasting their time if I still attended despite it reducing in size. Is it likely to be anything sinister if it has recuced in size ie cancer?

  • Offline

    Hello,

    Please keep your appointment and get it checked out; you're not wasting anyone's time. It may be your lymph node swollen and reducing, which is usually your body's way of letting you know it's fighting/fought an infection, but they can also enlarge due to cancer.

    The breast clinic will check you out properly and then you'll know for sure. I had two lumps appear in my armpit which went down after a week (which happened to me about once every 18 months for the past 6 years) and I ignored it knowing they would go, however, I was then diagnosed with cancer two months later after a 3cm breast lump appeared, so my armpit lumps were my body's way of alerting me to something, and I wish I got checked out sooner.

    The majority of referrals to the clinics are benign and nothing to worry about, but please do go for reassurance and to be fully checked. 

     

  • Offline in reply to Trainee

    Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

    I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis and I really hope you make a full recovery. Thank you for sharing your experience and for your advice, I'll definitely just go and get checked now.

  • Hello and thanks for posting.

    I don't know if there is anything the matter, or sinister, but I do know that there other benign (non cancer) conditions that can happen in the breast. This link will tell you more about them.

    I can see you have had some good advice from Trainee she is right, do still attend your appointment, you are not wasting anyone's time. Here is a link to give you an idea of what to expect at the breast clinic 

    Take care, and hopefully you will know more soon.

    Sarah.

  • Offline

    Definitely go to the appointment l have had a lymph node that went up and down for years being watched by my surgeon, when it became a permanent fixture, sore and not going down l had it removed not cancerous fortunately but no further problems.  They may scan under your arm to check what's going on, they will be able to reassure you. 
    take care 

    Susie 

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.