Lump On Boob

[Barmaid]

I saw a good friend earlier who told me she has had a large lump come up on her boob. It is partly on her nipple and partly underneath the nipple and is about 1.5 inches in diameter. It is very painful. It is not visible (no skin puckering/orange peel etc) and feels soft but firm (I felt it - she's my mate, this is not something odd, this is about 2 girls trying to figure something out).

I thought it felt cyst like (I have had cysts myself) and the fact that it is sudden and painful made me hope it was just a cyst. I felt that it might be fluid filled that would either burst or subside. The sudden onset and the pain made me think it was unlikely to be the big C - although naturally she needs it seeing to urgently.

She has been trying to get an appointment to see her doctor, but they are not doing face to face appointments at the moment. It has been suggested to her that she go to the minor injuries unit but there is a 10 hour wait there and she has three kids and an immobile partner who is due to have surgery tomorrow. I do not think it really falls into the "minor injuries" category anyway. Its either a cyst or something more serious. She is 39.

I have informed her she needs to create a fuss to be seen asap, but in the meantime, can anyone help me reassure her, please? Particularly those with medical knowledge.

I'm a bit screwed up over this since a good mate of mine nearly lost his wife to breast cancer and I only just heard it has come back.

[Peter Pedant]

very unlikely to be malignant

[evadora]

My OH has a telephone appointment tomorrow morning between 9 and 12!! He is hoping for a face to face as it has been 3 years since his last PSA test and he says things are not improving. I hope he does get examined as he is up and down to the loo all night.

[Eve]

Has your friend had any luck getting seen? I get the concern, I've gone through the urgent referral for lumps a few times, seem to be prone to non-malignant lumps, and at other times with some concerning ones from Hidradenitis Suppurativa. I really hope that she can be seen soon and get some answers.

[ParsleyDumpling]

Had a patient ring up this morning requesting a mammogram, on asking she said she had found a lump. Face to face appointment booked for her today, two week referral done today. That's how it should work. Barmaid I hope your friend is afforded the same service.

[Barmaid]

She has an appointment tomorrow. So from no face to face apps to one on a sat morning!

[Eve]

So glad she's getting to be seen. I wish her well with the appointment tomorrow. Let us know how she gets on.

[Barmaid]

Just to update. GP says its a cyst and she says it appears to be going down. I don't have any further details but thought I would update.

BM x

[Mamyalynne]

Reassuring news Barmaid.

[Peter Pedant]

excellent news