Cyst/Lump or just Tissue --- how can I tell???

[OhNelly2]

Hello
I have had fibrocystic issues in past ... I have had bleeding from right breast resulting in excisional biopsy ... and removal of ducts -- all good/benign.  Some time after that a small lump was felt on left breast - at approx 1:00.  Ultrasound showed it to be simple cyst.    

Approx 3 mos ago I found another "something" at about 9pm, further away from ----.  This one feels different. ... not necessarily in a scary way ... but in a "what the heck is it" way.  Has survived 3 mens. cycles with no change.  Not a tiny pea like the first cyst ... and harder to detect if lying down.  Easist felt when standing and checking from top to bottom in a linear fashion.  Seems when I lie down it hides under muscle or something. Seems hard and kind of more oval than round ... overall different than cyst but still doesnt strike me as sinister for some reason.   Could it be regular ole tissue?  When I check while standing, I do both sides at same time to compare  ... right side has no such tissue in this spot.

If it makes a difference I am thin and very small breasted and almost 40 years old.   I do not have lumpy breasts.  (Original cyst is still there as well).  

How can I tell if this is a cyst or fibrous tissue?  I feel it is most likely a benign thing but still anything that doesnt belong there does raise an eyebrow.  

Thannks in advance...

[marymk]

I would have it checked out just be sure, but since most 'lumps/cysts' are benign, I wouldn't worry too much. I'm very pre-occupied with every thing I find in my breasts - although I've always had clear mamograms - I do have lumpy, somewhat large breasts.
My gyn says that if I feel something, and then I can't feel it when I check from another position - ex: standing vs. lying down, then it's 'normal'. She insists that if it's bad, then you can always feel it.  Cysts tend to move around -  or it's just regular breast tissue. Also, even though they tell you to see if you have the same thing on the other breast - both breasts are not always exactly the same. I know mine somethimes feel a bit different at different times of the month.

Mary

[Vetiver]

You can't tell just by feeling, a mamo and ultrasound probably will be a good thing. I know its scary I just went throught this for 5 months. But lumps can be many different things, fibro adenomas, cysts, plus a myriad of other things.  Best to just go forward and find out. Remember most breast lumps are NOT cancer. Hugs to you.