Thank you so very much for your post, worryingly,  my armpit lump has no pain, but my feelings were the same when I got the urgent suspected cancer referral.  I go to the hospital on Friday, and am overwhelmed with thinking the worst. I am so happy for you and for worryworts like me, your wonderful news  is such a comfort.  Wishing you the very best.

Lyn xx

Lyn please dont think the worse. My mum had a large armpit lump (about the size of a grape) and it wasnt cancerous. They have to send you urgent just to be sure but it doesnt mean the doctor thinks its going to be cancerous x

Hi everyone,

I hope everything turned out okay? I'm so sorry to jump in on the discussion like this. I'm currently going through the same thing. 
 

I found a lump in my left armpit yesterday after feeling my armpit because it has been painful. I had my covid jab on Thursday and ever since my armpit has been so painful. I went to the GP today and mentioned this, but she has referred me under the two week wait. She said that she cannot say that it's not cancer, which is absolutely terrifying as I'm 21. The lump is painful and I've only just noticed it, but due to my severe hypochondria, I'm convinced I've got secondary breast cancer. 
 

Please can somebody help?

frankie. 

Hello,

i was in the same position as you a few months ago. 
the worrying is so tiring mentally and physically.  
 

doctors were convinced my lump On my armpit was a swollen lymph node. I waited for a couple of months for an ultrasound which I legit had to fight for. Ultrasound say came and I found out it was a sebaceous cyst. Which is basiclly a sac filled woth fluid which could be sebum and other things. So nothing that sinister.  
 

in 2 weeks you'll get a call and get an ultrasound appointments. 
there's no point of me saying do not be stressed because no matter how many people say that you will always be stressed.

However your case seems better overall. As you have noticed it after the covid jab. There has been studies and articles which prove that sometimes the covid jab swells up lymph nodes in the armpit and collarbone. 
 

the lump being painful is also somewhat a good sign. This is because cancerous lumps do not GENERALLY be painful. But this does not guarantee anything which is why this ultrasound is being done.  
 

Try to hit up the gym. See your parents family friends more often to distract yourself. 
 

I'm currently having a scare of my lymph nodes on my neck and worried but I try to not think which I feel like is impossible to do. 
 

Good luck with everything 

Mellisa. 

Dear Mellisa,

Thank you so much for your response, it really means a lot to me. I'm so sorry to hear that you went through the same thing. 
 

I am unsure if mine is a swollen lymph node because the GP didn't mention lymph nodes at all; she just said that it's a ridge/lump. This makes me so worried and convinced I've got secondary breast cancer, or an undetected cancer that has travelled to the lymph nodes. She also didn't say anything about the vaccine like I thought she would :cry: she just said that she hopes it's not bad, but that it could be. 
 

In myself I've been feeling fine and would hope that I would feel worse if something was badly wrong. I don't know, I'm just all over the place and don't know how to react.

thank you again 

Frankie. 

Hello

your GP probably didn't say anything because it could be lymph nodes, a cyst and probably many other things. 

Age is also a good factor here. Although breast cancer is not impossible to get at 21 it is more rare than if you were 40. 
 

sometimes you really do need to do your own research. The doctors don't like to say anything because they are worried they could be wrong.  
 

just wanted to ask. Is the lump moveable. Is the lump area and area around it red and irritated. And does the lump have a smooth outside. Like the shape of it. Is it circular or like a bean shape or is the shape of it not a specific shape???

mellisa x

Hi Mellisa,

Thank you for your reply. Yes, the GP said that she didn't know what it was and that she wanted to refer me because she doesn't have x-ray vision. It feels strange as it's very hard to find. It basically feels like it can move, but I cannot pick it up and move it, like you would be able to with a marble or pea. I have hypochondria, so my perspective on things is always skewed by my fear of the worst case scenario, but I've asked my family and they say it's soft-ish. My biggest worry is that it's been there for a while, but that I've not noticed it. The area around it is not red and she said it is not an infection from what she can see, but she did mention that it could be a deep infection under the skin  

My family have tried telling me that it's a lymph node or a cyst, but the GP was adamant that it was a ridge shape lump. So from what she said, it's not really a distinct shape, it's like a strip/lumpy patch 
 

Best,

Frankie. 

Hello,

ive never heard of that. To be honest I wouldn't be that worried. Easier to be said then to be done. It could be your tissue thickening. Sometimes breast tissue can come up all the way to the armpit. But I am no doctor. I just like to research every symptom I have and I hate that because it puts you in a dark place. 
 

as your GP said it could be an infection. If it is. A course or 2 of antibiotics should be able to make it go away. Has your doctor not put you on antibiotics. because generally they would and if it doesn't go away then they request an ultrasound. 
 

Mellisa 

Hi Mellisa,

My GP did not offer antibiotics or anything and I think it might be because she didn't know what it was. I've spoken to many family member who all think it a lymph node and to do with my badly done vaccine, but it's just the shape that's troubling me as it's not lymph node shape. I think it could be on the harder side, but as I said, it is moveable but not detached, if that makes sense? She did mention tissue at one point but then said it's a lump, which is what really scared me. I'm just hoping that I get the phone call by Friday, so that I know where I stand in terms of my appointment. 
 

thanks,

Frankie. 

Hi, 

I totally understand how you feel but a couple of things to note. Breast cancer lumps are usually not painful. Also, I had both of my covid vaccines and my armpit (vaccine arm) was sore on both occasions. The lymph node that was investigated for cancer is always slightly more prominent and after the vaccine I was more aware of it but that went after a few days. 

GP's won't say much to reassure you as they simply can't tell what the lump is and they would rather give you worst case scenario.

It's a horrible time and so stressful but try not to worry too much. Avoid google if you can as you will drive yourself crazy. 

Hope this helps !

Stay positive and let us know how you get on

xx

Thank you so much for your reply. It really is such a hard time, I keep looking at my family members and just crying because I have it in my head that I'm going to die. I would like to think it's a lymph node because then it probably would be because of my vaccine, but the GP said it was like a ridge/lump so it makes me think otherwise :cry: I'm just so convinced that I've got breast cancer or lymphoma  and I don't know how to function. 
 

Frankie. 

Thank you so much for your reply. It really is such a hard time, I keep looking at my family members and just crying because I have it in my head that I'm going to die. I would like to think it's a lymph node because then it probably would be because of my vaccine, but the GP said it was like a ridge/lump so it makes me think otherwise :cry: I'm just so convinced that I've got breast cancer or lymphoma  and I don't know how to function. 
 

Frankie. 

Hi, 

My GP was convinced my lump and some thicker tissue in my armpit was not a lymph node or a cyst which was why I was so worried too. I saw the GP twice before the hospital appointment and on both occasions she was sure it was something to be concerned about.

The doctor at the hospital also said that f you shave under your arms it can cause thicker issue. My lymph node was more swollen because I kept touching it.

It's hard not to fear the worst but the odds are on your side. 

 

Marie x

Thank you for this, Marie. So just to clarify again, your lump turned out to be a lymph node, even though the GP was sure it wasn't? Mine mentioned something about tissue too but then carried on saying it's a lump. I went in thinking she would say it's just a lymph node, but she said that it was a lump and that she didn't know what it was or why it was there. Mine is towards the lower end of the armpit, so not in the middle or at the top, so it makes me worry even more that it is unusual and in a strange place to be a lymph node. I really do appreciate all of your help, it is such a horrific time. I'm so so afraid of being ill and dying. :cry:

Frankie. 

Hi Frankie,

My lump was a normal lymph node. I had a physical exam, an ultrasound and 3 mammograms and all was fine. If I hadn't spent a couple of weeks touching it and squeezing the life out of it because I thought it was cyst it would have gone away on its own. 

My lymph node is a at the front of my armpit almost where it joins the body. 

There is a good chance it's caused by your covid vaccine.
I'm pretty sure I've read somewhere this is a side effect as your body reacts to the vaccine.

x

Thank you for your reply. I am so glad to hear that yours was okay, it must have been such a relief. With mine, everyone thinks it is the vaccine but the doctor did not refer to it or mention it at all. My vaccine went badly, as it bled and bruised very badly. The pain was bad only been there since then and I didn't feel the lumP before, but then again, I never checked it. Sorry I keep going around in circles and repeating myself, I am just very worried that it's not the vaccine and a sinister lump instead. 
 

thank you

Frankie :happy:

Hi frankie

Just wondering what your outcome was? I have a lump that feels like a ridge too and have a 4 week wait for an app at the breast clinic

Hope all is well!

Hello,

I am so sorry to hear that you've got an armpit lump and that you have to wait a while for it to get checked.
 

Did the GP give you an indication of what they thought it was? I'm assuming they didn't refer you under the 2ww rule, so that is a good sign ️ Have you recently had a vaccine or illness? That can cause armpit lumps. 
 

I am so sorry that I didn't update this thread on how it went. I was so overwhelmed by it all and just wanted to forget all about it.
 

Basically, the specialist told me that I had an enlarged node because of my vaccine. She also said that we have all sorts of structural ridges in our armpits. (My gp ruled out that it was the vaccine, as I don't think they wanted to admit that my vaccine did cause issues with me--It bled all down my arm and gave me instant armpit pain.) I got the specialist to feel it loads of times and from lots of different positions and she was positive that there was no sign of cancer. She said that the lumps/ridges to worry about (in some instances) are the ones that grow rapidly and are shaped like a chestnut. Always go with what the specialist says too ️ also remember that if your lump fits the criteria for the worst case scenario, it still does not mean it is. I've had a mole with all of the warning signs, been referred for it under the 2ww, and it was 100% fine! 
 

I really hope that yours is okay and please do keep us updated. Please find comfort in the fact that a referral does not mean it's bad. I'm 21 and have been referred under the 2 week wait three times in the past year. I am so sorry that you're going through this, but please try to stay positive. We are all here for you. Xx

I'm so glad yours turned out OK! 

I'm in ireland so 4 weeks is the urgent referral time at the mo

Mine is in the side of my breast, I've a small hard lump high up moreso on the chest wall too. The doctor didn't really say too much which has me stressing even more, when I asked him he said he didn't think it was anything but take everything as it comes

I had the vaccine in May and on the other side so don't think it's related but who knows!

Thanks so much for replying, I dont have anyone to talk to about it as I don't want to worry my family in case it's nothing!

That's very kind of you, thank you so much. 

Please don't worry about the referral being urgent because, as I've mentioned, it does not mean it is bad; it just means that they can look at you quickly to help you ️. Have you got your appointment day and time through yet? Mine for the last referral came through within a couple of days, which really frightened me, as I thought the specialist wanted me in quickly because it was bad. It wasn't a helpful way of thinking and it wasn't true either, so I guess just let it all play out as it does. 
 

When you say your armpit lump is on the side of your breast, do you mean that it's quite far down the armpit? Almost where your armpit is less dipped? It's so hard to explain through text, but mine was in the same place: not in the deep armpit, but down further, against the side of my breast. And in terms of the one near your chest wall, did the doctor say that one was okay? My sister is a masseuse, so she knows lots about the anatomy, and says that the ribs and chest can often feel like lumps. In fact, I have a bit of rib that feels a bit lumpy on one side, deep within my breast. It frightened me but my sister said it's my rib. I guess it's a case of knowing our bodies and believing that your gut will tell you if something's really not okay. 
 

It is so positive that your doctor said that he thought it was okay, and that he was referring you just to check. I would try not to think too much about what he did, or didn't say, as it can send you into a panic. With my armpit lump, my GP said outright that she did not know what it was and that she 'hoped' it wasn't bad. That was terrifying because I was used to her saying she was sure it was nothing. Yet, it turned out to be nothing! Please try not to worry, I know it is so hard and especially if you cannot tell anyone about it; I really do feel for you and it makes my heart break to know that you're keeping this all in.

Have you been referred before? The people in the clinic are beyond lovely and will make you feel at ease. Every time I've been, they've been so relaxed about the issue I was referred for because they know a lot more than the GP. We can often get scared by the GPs, but as I've mentioned, ever time I've been referred they were just like, "yeah, you're fine, don't worry." ️  And even if it's not, there's still many things that it could be before it is the worst. It could be thickening, or a cyst, etc. Most lumps are benign too . You have done the right thing by getting the appointment ️
 

Please keep talking to me, I am here for you throughout this. Please stay strong--I am thinking of you. 
 

xxx

I havent heard anything yet,  mine isn't in the armpit it's on the outer right side of the left breast, but feels like a ridge like you described.  The one on the chest wall I got checked 2 weeks ago, couldn't feel anything else at that point, that was a diff gp who wasn't concerned at all about it, he said if I felt it in my hand I wouldn't of even had it checked, he was nice about it but didnt think it was anything at all. This ridge like one popped up a week later! 

You must of been so worried when your gp said that! 

I've never been referred before, I'm 35 and this is the first time I've felt anything in my breasts

Thanks again for the reply, it means alot xxx

Ah I see, so the one on the side is only appeared recently? It is really good that you've got it looked at so quickly, as that means it can get sorted really effectively. Again, every time I've gone to the breast clinic, I've been told that the ones to investigate feel like chestnuts and grow rapidly and really obviously--but, please don't make that worry you about the ridge one appearing recently; it could be thickening, etc. Or, like my specialist said, we have bits and bobs in places that are not symmetrical or 'normal,' but are okay once checked ️.

oh yes, it was horrible when she said that! She was running late and has referred me before, so I think she was bit fed up with me and my tears. The specialist said that that was harsh and a result of the gp ruling out the vaccine too readily. Honestly, the specialists are so nice and will make you feel like you will be supported, whatever the outcome.
 

Have you been told that your breasts are nodular? I have very nodular breasts, so my feel naturally lumpy and bumpy. Also, sorry if this is personal, but are you on the pill or other contraception? It can cause so many breast problems! I'm changing to the coil because the pill makes my breasts hurt for months and gives me lumps. You said you haven't felt anything in your breasts before, did you examine them lots before? Or have you been examining them recently? Sometimes we have lumps and bumps in there that are just naturally there. But, again, you have done the best thing by getting it checked ️.

You're very welcome. Xxxx