Lump in nipple gradually worsening...becoming very concerned

Hi all

im so thankful I found this website as I'm starting to get incredibly anxious where-as until now I was not.

so around 4 months ago I found a painful lump in my left nipple, solid, unable to move it and about the size (at the time) of a pea ( felt shapewise kind of round at the front but oval as it goes deeper. I went to the Gp and was prescribed antibiotics and cortisone cream , she believed it to likely be a viral thing, a blocked duct or an infection etc as I had a temp at the time and it hurt where if Was pulling around my areola and that a few weeks it would start to dissaoear. Well 4 months later and after having to send pictures of my breast via email to my Gp (Covid-19 lockdown) after increasing concern from me, I have finally been referred around 3 weeks ago. The lump is now much bigger, I have dimpling all under my breast and occasional rash, the lump is so prominent that it's sticking out so much that the tissue is almost a white yellow opossed to my other nipple (light pink/natural). Before i found the lump I had clear discharge from the left breast ( it was if I was breast feeding , never in the right breast though). The lump sticks out so much and the surrounding nipple almost looks raised up on a side view and is now pulling so tight that I have two lines going up from my nipple through my areola. It has began to hurt again on occasion and the lump definitely feels deeper. I've tried everything to 'debunk any possible cancerous signs' eg: I read if you squeeze both sides hard and the top is bouncy it could mean it's just a cyst, however it's solid like rock. I've not breastfed in 6 years and the cream/antibiotics didn't do anything which should rule out infection. The only other things it could be are a fatty lump or a calcium lump fibrous. However I'm now really anxious i have still not heard from anybody and now strangely I have a large solid lump under my right armpit ( so the opposite side too the breast/nipple  lump) I just need to hear the words "it's nothing to worry about" I am a mummy to young children and have a rare autoimmune disease which gives me a substantially raised chance of certain types of cancer and have always been told any signs must be checked ASAP! But we're in lockdown and I'm 1 of the 1.5 million vulnerable people. 
im scared! My Gp put it off for so long as she was convinced it would just dissolve but it's gotten worse hence the referral. I've been told that they are very busy due to not seeing anyone due to the lockdown and when I eventually get a call during which they will decide if I should be seen or not. I've sent pictures but the best way to truly feel it and how low it goes down is to examine it, pictures don't do it justice. I may be over thinking and I'm so sorry to moan when some of you heartbreakingly actually have breast cancer. I just wonder can anyone advise? Good or bad? I wish I could afford private and I'm not quite 40 so I am not entitled to a standard mammogram. I am in an electric wheelchair, I cannot walk or lift my arms up which could be difficult as I know you need to raise your arm for a mammogram. I've done my research for months and the one thing that comes up regulating is pagents disease of the nipple. I've seen some pictures and a few match. The areola is starting to darken around the top, it's also mishapen longer than the other nipple which is round. 
I know I'm jumping the boat here but what if it's cancer, what if leaving it so long dispite asking to be seen if it's too late and it's spread ! ( sorry I'm panicking too much now!!)! Ignore me! 
 

can anyone advise? 
anyone similar ? What was the out come? 
 

thank you for taking the time to read this just speaking to somebody would be a huge weight off

 

thank you xx 

  • Hi there

    Sorry to hear of your worries. Its not possible to say what can be causing your symptoms only a mammogram can do that. Mammogram equipment comes in all shapes and sizes, when I was having my wires put in for my BC operation I had to be seated so I wouldn't worry too much about the practicalities of having your breasts checked, there is also ultrasound or MRI which they may use instead.

    You appear to have done a lot of research into what your symptoms could be but in my experience that only leads to anxiety plus a waste of time as Dr Google cannot diagnose.

    Its unfortunate that this has come at the same time as a pandemic and anything other than covid has ground to a halt but when I was diagnosed I was told I had the cancer for years, which I believe is quite common (called lead time). 

    With your history, I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be benign. Try not to worry and keep pestering to get that breast clinic appointment. Wishing you all the best x

  • Thank you for your message, I am so sorry you have been through BC bless you. I hope you are well now?!

    you are right google is not good, people don't tend to post positive stories you tend to hear only the bad sadly. 
     

    I was quite positive that it is nothing to worry about so have not found myself getting anxious but since I have found the very large and visible lump under my arm too I'm feeling a little concerned. The lump in my nipple is solid and incresingly pulling. But you are correct most of the time it's nothing to worry about. I don't want to waste weeks worrying when it could be nothing I guess I would just be wasting time. 
     

    ive left a message with the breast unit as it's been 3 weeks since a urgent referral was made and I hope they will call me Monday. 
     

    my heart goes out to anyone suffering from any form of cancer!