I found a lump

[SeekingSerenity]

I am hoping someone can give me a little insight on this, or maybe just calm my nerves, or support, or anything...

Here's the scoop. I am still BFing my 18 month old, on the right side only (since he was 4 months old). A little over a week ago, I developed a rash between my breasts, I suspect it was from a new body wash I tried. Anyway, it is really not a big deal, pretty itchy but otherwise benign. Since I found myself unconsciously scratching at it quite a bit, it's been slow to go away. Three days ago, sitting here at the computer, I was rubbing at one particularly pesky spot and I felt a lump.

At first I thought the spot had gotten infected from my scratching. Then I realized this was a lump in my breast, on the inside. It is not small, I'd say it's about the size of a small grape. It apparently developed very quickly, because I would have noticed it from having been scratching if it had been there any earlier.

About 8 years ago, I had found a lumpy area on the outside of my left breast, very irregular and bumpy. I freaked out and got a mammogram, and they told me it was a fibroid. It has since gone away (or shrunk) but it didn't feel like this - this is perfectly round and firm, and slightly tender if pressed (the fibroid didn't hurt at all).

It is on the right breast, the one I nurse on, and it's not a blocked duct. I have had half a dozen bouts of mastitis throughout my nursing years, and countless plugged ducts. This is not aching, or sore all the time, or red and inflamed... it doesn't hurt to nurse.

My DH says it's a cyst. He insists it's nothing and will probably go away but honestly, I think he's just trying to calm me down. Even if he's right, it's still incredibly unnerving.

Does anyone have ANY idea what it might be? I am thinking I need to find a doctor and get a checkup but on the other hand, I'm kinda scared to.

[amcal]

It sounds like a lactating adenoma. I had one when I was pregnant with my first child. It was completely terrifying but, through ultrasound and biopsy, it was determined to be a lactating adenoma which is fairly common in pregnant, nursing women.

Still get it checked out but, try to remember that the overwhelming majority of breast lumps are benign. And especially since this came on so quickly, it's unlikely to be a malignant tumor. But, you must still go to your Dr. and get it checked.

Hugs mama! I know how terrifying this can be. I've had a couple cancer scares myself. It's terrifying. But, until you know, don't stress yourself out about it. Worrying will not help and will make things worse. Try to remain calm, get it checked and then you'll know what you're dealing with.

[CorasMama]

First, it is highly, highly unlikely that it's a tumor.

However, you do need to see a doctor, for two reasons. For one thing, lumps or other not-obviously-breastfeeding-related changes should always be checked out by your doctor. But also, the rash is concerning. (DO NOT GOOGLE, it is concerning, but rare, and will only serve to freak you out.)

Don't let them tell you that you have to wean to get a mammogram. Instead, there are two options, either find a radiologist experienced in reading mammos of lactating women, or get an ultrasound. Preferably both. Also, if you did wean, it would take 6 months for your breasts to return to the non-lactating state in a mammogram, so it's kind of a bogus argument for diagnostic mammograms.

Again, DON'T FREAK OUT. It's almost certainly NOT a tumor at your age.

[SeekingSerenity]

Thank you both. I have actually kept myself from googling anything about either the rash or the lump, because I figured it would only make my state of mind worse. Google has no way of knowing all the details and is only going to bring back the sites that are hit most often - and probably chock full of terrifying warnings about cancer and skin lesions and rare viruses.

I will have to call a doctor tomorrow. I wish I already had one I could trust, but I guess the best I can hope for is one who is compassionate (and female - I have a hard time with male doctors).

I had wondered about mammograms while lactating... but I absolutely don't want to wean yet. Me and my Lil' Man went through a lot to keep nursing when he was a tiny babe, with horrible yeast that hung on for well over a year, and neither of us is ready to throw in the towel yet.

Thanks again for the support...

[zjandosmom]

Just to make you feel better...if it's sore that is actually a 'good' sign. They worry more when it doesn't hurt.