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Lump under nipple- postpartum but didn’t breastfeed

Rachelle90
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I had my daughter in August, and around the end of October just after my 32nd birthday  I found a small pea sized lump under my nipple/Areola. It's round and hard, and it moves a little but not fully mobile. There is no pain which I know can be a bad sign too. I never breastfed but my boobs did get big/engorge  and I did get a milk bleb but on my other nipple which went after around 6 weeks.

I went to doctors as soon as I found the lump she examined me and said that breast had a few other small lumps but she think it's all hormonal and not to worry but she would refer me non urgent as she could see how anxious I was and for my peace of my mind. I'm worried she didn't really say what it was or if it was a cyst or anything.
 

ive still not received a referral through and it's been nearly 3 months, the lump is still there and feels a bit bigger although I don't know if I'm imagining that. I also worry that my nipple are a little cracked too and I suffer from bad health anxiety so I don't know if I'm just thinking of the worse. 
 

just wondering if anyone had any similar lumps post partum but not breastfeeding? Looking for any positive outcomes really to help me through. Considering phoning the Gp for a second opinion and to see if I can get any quicker referrals.

 

UPDATE: had my ultrasound today and it's a cyst! She drained it there and then feel super relieved now. Pregnancy and hormones can all fluctuate and you can get cysts so please if you are worrying about breast lumps or awaiting results. Do no google or think the worst, I've spent 4 months worrying! Wait and find out from professionals 

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    Hello Rachelle90 and a warm welcome to Cancer Chat, 

    You did the right thing in going to the doctor's to get this lump checked and it's reassuring that the doctor didn't seem overly concerned and thought it was all hormonal. It's great that you were referred though for peace of mind. 

    You've waited for a while now for your referral and I think you are right to consider getting in touch with your GP and perhaps you could try and chase that referral and see whether they can give you an indication of when you might be seen or how long you might have to wait to have an appointment. If you are very anxious while you are waiting and feel that the lump has got bigger and your nipple is a little cracked and you would like to have that looked at, it would not do any harm either to get a second opinion and you can find out more about that on this page. 

    I hope that you will also hear from other forum members who have had similar lumps post partum which were not related to breastfeeding and that they will come and share their story with you. 

    Waiting to be seen can feel like a lifetime and in your case you have already been waiting for nearly three months and I can imagine you must be feeling really anxious and I hope that you find out more soon about when your appointment might be. There are helpful tips on this page to help you cope while waiting for important news. 

    Keeping everything crossed for you that you get to speak to someone soon about all this and they put your mind at rest soon. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hi currently going through exact same, found a small hard lump under my nipple, was referred to breast clinic in September, wasn't checked properly and told to come back another day for an ultrasound, I'm still waiting on appointment.... lump is still there, they asked me about breastfeeding also but my youngest in now 7 so it's not that, my lump wasn't sore at first but after 3 months is now sore. Hope you get seen soon ,  Just keep at your GP 

  • Offline in reply to Plet87

    Ahh I know what you mean! Sometimes I think it's sore but don't know if that's just me thinking about it and overanalysing it. I chased my GP Friday because I think 10 weeks is still quite long even if it's not an urgent referral and they said the doctor will chase it up, but I'll give them another call at the end of the week. It's the waiting that's hard! Hope you get an answer soon too x

  • Offline in reply to Rachelle90

     

    Hi Rachelle,

    Congratulations on having a baby girl. I am glad to hear that you have contacted your GP again, as 10 weeks is a long time to wait. Do chase this up at the end of the week and see what is happening. Waiting is always a worryig time, so I hope that you hear something soon.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Hoping that all goes well.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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    UPDATE:

    so I had my appointment and breast clinic today she thoroughly checked over my boobs and felt no lump.

    I showed her the lump when I squeezed near my nipple and she said yes she can feel this but this is not a way to check your breast, said if most people squeezed around nipple they'd feel a duct or nodular lumps she was not at all concerned.

    being anxious I asked her a billion questions if my nipples looked normal, if my freckles were normal, if it was a cyst. She said she is not concerned but for pure peace of mind she will refer me for a ultrasound which will be aroun 2-4 weeks.

    I feel relieved but still feel like it is something I know that's crazy as she's a breast specialist, I know it's my helath anxiety. Anyway I think if it was any concern she would have said.

     

    anyways I just wanted to update incase anyone finds a lump around nipple it may just be a normal duct. Especially after pregnancy. I will update again after ultrasound 

  • Offline in reply to Rachelle90

    UPDATE: had my ultrasound today and it's a cyst! She drained it there and then feel super relieved now. Pregnancy and hormones can all fluctuate and you can get cysts so please if you are worrying about breast lumps or awaiting results. Do no google or think the worst, I've spent 4 months worrying! Wait and find out from professionals 

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