Im 22 and just gave birth to my second baby 2 weeks ago. Right before I fell pregnant I noticed a lump in my right breast, so maybe around 12 months ago. During the pregnancy I had my ob check it, and he did a small ultrasound on it, and he said he couldnt see the tissue as being any different to the surrounding tissue, and that was a good sign, but that being pregnant made it difficult to be sure.

During my hospital stay both breasts became very hard and lumpy due to establishing breastfeeding. This particular lump felt very large to touch at this point. I had several nurses check it, some seemed very worried about it. So I had my ob check it again with his fingers while I was still in hospital, and he said he didnt think it was anything to worry about because it had smooth edges and was probably a blocked duct. I asked him why it would have happened before the pregnancy and he said it wound have been a blocked duct then. I went to see my gp today for something else and had her check it, as now all the lumps pertaining to breastfeeding have gone down but that one is still there. She ordered a larger ultrasound, which Ill have next week.

The lump hasnt changed in the 12 months( except in hospital then went back to normal), its not bigger or differently shaped - if it was cancer would it change or stay the same?

If it isnt cancer what else could it be?

If it is cancer, what sort of symptoms would I be experiencing?

Thankyou for any advice

The lump hasnt changed in the 12 months( except in hospital then went back to normal), its not bigger or differently shaped - if it was cancer would it change or stay the same?....If it isnt cancer what else could it be?....If it is cancer, what sort of symptoms would I be experiencing?

Breast cancer doesn't have to show symptoms other than maybe a lump. Upon internal examination, by mammogram or ultrasound, a doctor can see whether or not a lump appears cancerous. Cancers have 'tentacles' which cause them to not appear smooth and round.

I had a rare cancerous tumor in my breast that was encapsulated in a smooth tumor. This disguised the identity of the cancerous tumor within the outer layer. Don't let that scare you. This was a rare tumor. There are several causes of lumps that are not caused by cancer. Young women sometimes have fibroadenomas, which are benign.

Your doctor, or another doctor, should find out, perhaps through a biopsy, what is the nature of your lump.

Your peace of mind and health are important. Don't give up until you get the answers you need.

How did your appointment go?

Best wishes,

Nikki

Make sure a radiologist reads your ultrasound. The ultrasound machines most OB doctors have are not strong enough to see something small in the breast and U/S is very dependant on the technique of the person doing it.
It could be a blocked duct and with the milk coming in causing it not to go down. If that is the case you may develop mastitis. I did with all three children. It doesn't prevent you from nursing. To answer you question , if the lump were a cancer and estrogen receptive it would have grown a tremendous amount during the pregnancy. As Nikki said there are cancers that on mammograms look like cysts but ultrasound can tell the difference. Don't get to worried until you see the U/S results.
Newfie11