Two months ago i noticed a hard lump in my breast. It was so hard it almost felt like bone. I was quite alarmed so made a private appointment at the one stop breast clinic. I had an examination, then the breast specialist suggested an ultrasound as he could also feel the lump. For reference, i am 33 so a mammogram would not have been appropriate.

Strangely, although it could be clearly felt, nothing showed up on the ultrasound. The breast specialist’s explanation was probably just lumpy breast tissue’. At the time i was so happy/relieved I didn’t really question it, but afterwards i did think it was strange that a lump that is so hard could be ‘normal breast tissue’.

Fast forward a couple of months, i noticed pain/tenderness in the area where lump is. I also felt like it had got a bit bigger. My husband suggested going to the GP and asking for a second opinion. The GP did an examination and could also feel the lump, but was reluctant to refer as i had already had a fairly recent ultrasound. I explained that the lump had since become painful, and that it felt a little bigger. He agreed to refer, but said that the Breast clinic may choose not to see me based on the results of the private ultrasound. I am still waiting to hear about an appointment.

My main concern is the accuracy of the first ultrasound scan. I know i am not a medical professional, but this lump just doesn’t feel like it could be breast tissue. The pain is also concerning me. The GP suggested that it could be a cyst, but surely that would have been visible on the ultrasound? 

I had a lump checked in my other breast a few years ago (after breastfeeding). This lump wasn’t as hard as the lump I have now, and I wasn’t massively concerned, but went to get checked for peace of mind. I was referred for an ultrasound which, you guessed it, showed nothing. It was still there a month later so they rescanned. The lump showed up on the scan very clearly. I was reassured that it was not malignant and that I didn’t need a biopsy, but my point is, if that lump was completely missed on an ultrasound less than a month before, it shows that they don’t seem to be as accurate as one would hope.

Does anyone have any experience of anything like this? I have been told by the GP that BC doesn’t cause pain, but have read many stories of people who have contradicted that. 

I am also wondering if I am right to question the ultrasound, or whether they are accurate when finding anything sinister.

Thanks x