Hello,

I'm Mum to 2 young children, and breastfeeding my youngest (6 months old). I was prone to blocked ducts with my first, but have been less so second time around. I noticed an area of thickening  (rather than a defined lump) in my breast 3 months ago when I had a minor blockage, but noticed that the thickening didn't resolve after the blockage had seemingly cleared. Only upon having another minor bout of mastitis recently did I realise that this thickening had never really resolved.  I've been to see my GP about it and they've referred me to hospital via the 2WW pathway.

I'm besides myself with worry. I have struggled with depression and anxiety my whole adult life. I am so incredibly angry with myself for not having contacted the GP sooner, and don't understand why it did not worry me before. 

The thickening is not mobile, feels irregular to the touch (not smooth) and is not usually painful which I realise from reading around is generally not a good sign. It is tender currently as it is in the same area as my recent blockage, and previous blockages. I don't think that it has changed significantly in the past 3 months. My feeling has been that it is some sort of local inflammation due to duct blockages - but the fact that it has been raised as a "suspected breast cancer" has brought home that I really ought to have had this checked sooner.

I feel it is is needless to say that the idea of being diagnosed with breast cancer having just completed my family breaks my heart. 

I wondered if anyone here has had a similar experience of persistent breast symptoms following blocked ducts during breastfeeding? 

Thank you in advance.