Hi everyone,

I know that nobody can diagnose or give any definitive advice but I'd like to hear from anyone with a similar experience.

If it helps, im approaching 53, have been perimenopausal for nearly 5 years and have had one maternal aunt who had breast cancer (thankfully still with us 10 years on).

I've been experiencing intermittent pain to side of right breast for a number of months. I've ignored it, stupidly, as I experience a lot of pain throughout my body due to other conditions and thought this was just something else that I would experience for a while then disappear.

However, it gradually got worse snd has been constant (to varying degrees) for around two weeks now. It hurts to lie on my side, if my arm brushes against it etc.

Last Thursday I found a small, smooth hard, pea sized lump an inch or so below nipple. I can only feel it when I lie down. It doe not move. I got appt with GP on Friday and she confirmed she could feel lump. The lump does not hurt to touch or press, but it was agony when she examined nipple and side of breast. She suggested it might be a cyst but referred me to breast clinic and I heard from them yesterday, with appt for Saturday 24th Feb. 

I'm reassured thar GP thinks possible cyst and also that when googled (I know, I know) that all articles seem to suggest that breast cancer is rarely painful and that most cancerous lumps are more jagged, rather than smooth.

Anyone have any idea if cysts can be this painful? Even sitting here trying to type, I'm in a lot of pain. Could this be normal for a cyst or maybe some kind of infection? A week on Saturday seems a really long time to wait and although I'm trying to remain positive, I'm thinking the worst