Lump in left breast

[Ashgal84]

I am 8 1/2 months pregnant and noticed a small hard lump in my left breast about 2 months ago (underneath my areola towards the very bottom) it almost felt like a bb, firm, immobile, and was smooth shaped. I had my OB look at it/feel it and she said that she didn't find it concerning as their are tons of changes going on with my breasts because I'm pregnant. She ordered me to have a ultrasound of it but I'm unAble to get in for 3 weeks! She said breast cancer was almost grainy feeling, where my lump is smooth. I'm constantly messing with it/ pushing on it etc. It now feels bigger almost pea sized (I think cause I'm pressing on it) I am 29 years old and I'm freaking out because I'm worried it's breast cancer, regardless of what my OB said!! Can someone tell me what their opinion is!!!

[japdip]

It takes an experienced hand to describe exactly how a lump would "feel" .... it's fine and we all should do monthly self exams but a clinical exam by a Physician is what one should rely upon when it comes to shape, structure and feel of a particular finding. What you describe I would term a nodule from the size you have stated. It would truly be almost impossible to determine "grainy" or "smooth" when dealing with such a small pea sized finding. FEEL cannot under any circumstances diagnose whether something is benign or malignant. Your worrying about it is NOT going to help or change things so try to calm your thoughts until you have your test and whatever may be recommended when the final report is in. Breast Cancer can also be found in micro calcifications which cannot be felt at all. You can't compare cases either as each is different in some way.  Kindest regards ....

[Ashgal84]

You stated in the previous message that to you the lump seemed to be small. With your past experiences on talking with people who have found cancerous lumps, what did the lumps feel like to them? Big? Irregular shaped? I'm just curious

[japdip]

I think every lump is a bit different than the next so I would never say that just by "feel" a lump was more likely to be Malignant than another. It also depends on who is palpating it ... the same thing can feel quite different to two individuals. Breast cancer would NEVER be diagnosed this way or even by film. Only a biopsy can determine a diagnosis. It would depend on the surrounding tissue whether the lump were moveable or not. I realize that there are very few "emergencies" in Military Hospitals ... I know that this lump is in "your" breast but the size you describe is quite small ... it could even be a mammary lymph node and these are of no particular concern. I think you should try to stop worrying right now and concentrate on that new baby that's about to appear.  

[Ashgal84]

Because I go to the hospital on an Army base and their next available appt for the breast ultrasound wasn't for three weeks. I tried getting in earlier but they said it wasn't an emergency. I would think a hard lump in a woman's breast would be considered an emergency, but apparently not. Have you ever heard of a fibroidenoma being immobile? Or do they always move around? I'm praying that's what it is. And have you ever heard of breast cancer being a smooth lump? I've read that they are grainy or kind of feel like a golf ball. What is your opinion on the lump I described I have?

[japdip]

If my math is right and you deliver on time it seems that you will be in the hospital for the birth of your baby before your scheduled Ultrasound. Why don't you ask about having the US done while you're there ?? I'm not sure why your US couldn't be done in the OBs office. They do Ultrasounds of the baby .... a film of the breast could certainly be sent to the Radiologist for reading. You might ask ???  Take care ....

[Ashgal84]

Thank you for the reassurance. I'm just worried because EVERYTHING I read points to breast cancer. Hard, firm, and it doesn't move around at all! Both my grandparents on my mom and dads side have had breast cancer which makes me worry so much more. I thought maybe it was a fibroidenoma but everything I've read says they move around a little where my lump doesn't move at all.

[japdip]

First of all STOP "messing" with it ... and stop freaking out about it ... there are several things that can occur in the breast tissue that are due to hormone levels and this is most likely what is going on with you. If you don't trust your OB then make an appointment with a Breast Specialist but I'm sure he/she will tell you the very same thing. Pregnancy brings about all sorts of strange things, most of which are related to the hormones. Please do stop feeling ... pushing ... pressing on it .. this may cause it to become quite tender and if you intend to breast feed that could be very uncomfortable.  Regards ...