Lump in the breast

[Belia]

(Cross-posted in Breastfeeding)

DS hasn't nursed at all for about a month or so now.

Prior to that for many months he was only nursing once or twice a day- basically if he woke up during the night and first thing in the morning.

About a week ago I noticed a lump in my right breast. It's right below my nipple- if my areola was a clock, the lump is about where the 7 would be. It's a good size... maybe the size of a marble?!?!?

It doesn't hurt unless I press on it with a little bit of force- which I have been as I've been trying to figure out what it is.

I can't help but think that this has something to do with the end of nursing, like a plugged duct or something. But I'm not sure. Any ideas on what this could be and/or how to resolve it??

[kjbrown92]

could be a plugged duct or mastitis. or a lump. have you tried warm compresses or anything like that?

[Belia]

Nope. Haven't tried anything yet. Wasn't sure what to do....

[kjbrown92]

Well if it was a plugged duct type thing, then I think the warm compress would help. When I just went to a doctor for a lump, she said anyone can get mastitis at any time (but usually there are other symptoms, fever, flulike symptoms etc.). I just went through the whole mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy thing (which turned out fine for me).

[amcal]

I would get it checked out. It's most likely nothing but, you should get anything new, changing, growing etc.. checked out.

[BunnySlippers]

I was researching lumps in breasts on google, because I have been curious that with all the threads about cancer (especially breast cancer) no one posts thier symptoms(except once I asked), ie/ what prompted them to check, what they felt, what they thought. Its always 'I found a lump' and then fear.

Cancerous breast lump is most likely to be found in the armpit area and will not likely be sore. If I am remembering correctly.

I would assume a plugged or infected duct, however! it never hurts to have a professional check it out.
I heard someone say on here, they give a new symptom up to 2wks and if it does not go away they get it checked out. That sounded pretty reasonable.

[JessicaS]

http://www.imaginis.com/breast-healt...-breast-lump-1


BunnySlippers, I don't think there is always symptoms.

[kjbrown92]

For a friend of mine's sister who had breast cancer, her only symptom was pain. For my mother, she had a lump, so went to get it checked out. The lump was a cyst, but because they were checking, they found out she had microcalcifications in the other breast, which WAS cancer. So luckily, she had the benign cyst on the other side. The one I just had, and got checked out, was making me feel let-down type tinglies multiple times a day so I figured it was my body's way of saying "look at me". Had a biopsy and all that, and it turns out that it's fine. But mine is painful. I think it's one of those things that has a multitude of symptoms. But I was surprised that the breast doctor just said that anyone can have mastitis at any time, since I thought that was only a nursing thing.

[subtlycrunchy]

Good FYI article on The beautiful, lumpy breast — how fibrocystic breast condition responds to changing hormone I would try the warm compress too. It probably is linked to the end of nursing and hormonal changes. Good luck!

[Belia]

I had my annual gyne exam today with the MW, so I of course mentioned it to her. She was not very concerned- she said that I was pretty lumpy all over and it was probably due to BF issues.

We debated doing a mammogram, but after consulting with an OB decided to wait a couple of months to see if it goes down, and get a mammogram then if there's still a concern. They thought that the mammogram probably wouldn't be too accurate at this point anyway because I'm so close to BF anyway.

I'm really not worried about the Big C.... just don't like new and unusual symptoms popping up. One more thing I have to stay on top of!

[BunnySlippers]

Thanks for sharing some good links.

Belia, nice to hear it is probably of no concern.