Breastfeeding a Newborn, Have a Lump That Wont Go Away

Updated on September 14, 2011
I.A. asks from Spokane, WA
11 answers

I have a 3 month old and am breastfeeding. About a month ago I noticed a lump about 3in above my nipple in my right breast. it's probably the size of a nickel. I thought it was just some milk but it doesn't seem to want to break up. It has been the same size the whole time and hasn't moved and is not painful. I try to massgae it to help break up the milk but it doesn't seem to be working. I don't have ins and wanna make sure it's something if I do decide to go get checked. Should I be worried? I'm 27 and no history of breast cancer in my family

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I don't want to scare you, but I have a family friend that discovered a lump like this, went to the doctor and was told it's nothing. Just breastfeeding "woes".
6 months later, she went back for the same reason, and was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. She's 30.

Please don't ignore this, just because you don't have insurance.
I wish you the best.

2 moms found this helpful

L.G.

answers from Eugene on

Go to the doctor immediately. Do not pass just GO. The hormones of pregnancy and lactation can bring on a cancer. Get it checked out. The life you save will be your own. If it isn't cancer you will be much relieved.

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D.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

I would still have it checked out. Better be safe than sorry. I don't want to scare you but I have a dear friend who was nursing and just thought it was a clogged milk duct so just passed it off and found out later it was breast cancer. Doc thought the same thing so just make sure you get a good doc who will listen to the concern and be thorough. Good for you for being aware!

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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

Since the lump is hard and not painful and you have tried to massage it with no luck I would contact a doctor.

This sends up red flags for me. I had a lump that was sore and painful for about two weeks. About two weeks later I noticed that the lump was not sore any more and hard. After a needle biopsy (no pain) I was diagnosed with cancer. I was lucky to know my body and was able to have it removed without much harm to body figure and mind. Treatments were carried out and I have been cancer free for 14 years.

I had a neighbor who had a baby about 17 years ago and was diagnosed with breast cancer after birth and she went through treatment. So there are too many what ifs for us to answer and this site. Find a doctor or clinic to check you out.

You will be in my thoughts. Keep us posted.

The other S.

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

Go get it checked!!! I had one while breastfeeding it was a benign tumor I had it removed because it hurt like hell. It could be something but it could be nothing. You don't mess around with breast lumps. Given your age they will probably send you for an ultrasound because they won't see much on a mammogram.

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J.B.

answers from Boston on

Call your doc. I had a lump (still have it actually) that developed while breastfeeding. It was a clogged milk duct that is permanently cut off from the surface so the lump will be there probably until I go through menopause. I have insurance so I had an ultrasound anyway to confirm this but my doc was able to tell what it was just by seeing and feeling it. Let your doc know about the insurance problem - she may be able to figure out what it is just from an office visit (may be able to draw fluid from the lump with a needle - if it's milk, it's a clogged duct if it's not milk, it needs to be checked further).

Good luck - it's probably just a clog, which is really common, but better to just know for sure.

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V.B.

answers from Miami on

I found a lump when I was 35 and thought it was nothing. Went to the doctor and she thought it was a cyst, but sent me for a mammogram anyway. Turns out I had cancer. I'm not saying this to scare you, but to tell you that I also had NO history of cancer in my family and it completely caught me off guard. I have a friend who was nursing her daughter when she was diagnosed. Her baby was 9 months old. I think that if it isn't going away, you should have it checked out. It is so much more treatable if caught early and it also may be nothing, but you won't know unless you get it checked out. Please give your doctor a call.

G.T.

answers from Redding on

Its worth the money to have it checked. I remember getting a few hard spots while nursing, but they usually only lasted a few weeks and generally went away after a hot compress and some manipulation. If yours is being stubborn I'd go check it out just in case. You'll feel a lot better.

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Can you go for a free mammogram? There is a website for breast feeding mom's does any mom's know of this? I would check it out for sure. Try not to worry.

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S.R.

answers from Chicago on

Be on the safe side, go get checked out. Cancer is not something that is inherited from family...cancer just grows.
Have you checked in your city for a government clinic? They normally provide health care for low income families at a very low fee. They will also give you a referral to see a specialist at no cost to you. Hopefully its nothing.
Please keep us posted!

Best wishes to you!

S.G.

answers from Dallas on

I had a lump occur when breastfeeding within the first few months, my lactation specialist said it was normal for knots to occur and it hurt alot to push it out using your thumb while grasping the breast in a downward motion, but I never had them again. That's when I began expressing milk every two hours to empty my breast. I even made sure to keep a hand help medela pump in my bag when out and about. Its good to get it checked out with your lactation specialist at your hospital or your obgyn.

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