What does cancer feel like?

gscott

What does cancer feel like?

gscott

Does the lump float?

I know you will say to get it checked out.

But I want to know, do most cancer lumps stay near the bottom and not float around the breast?

Beesie

Many times breast cancer doesn't present in the form of a lump.  But when there is a defined lump, usually it pretty much stays in place.  Here's how the Mayo Clinic describes cancerous lumps:

A cancerous (malignant) breast lump is often painless, hard and irregularly shaped. It feels different from surrounding breast tissue. If the breast lump is attached to underlying muscle, it may not move when you press on it. Overlying skin on your breast may be dimpled or red.

Other signs include:

• A spontaneous clear or bloody discharge from your nipple
• Retraction or indentation of your nipple
• A change in the size or contours of your breast
• Any flattening or indentation of the skin over your breast
• Pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-lumps/BR00013

If you have a lump that is moving around in your breast, it's not likely to be breast cancer.  But yes, definitely get it checked out. 

kathyjo

thanks for posting that, Beesie - I am still going to be optimistic even though my lump is hard, irregular and there is a pockmark indent on the skin over it......  eeek!

and good luck to you, Gscott!!!  I hope it is nothing.

leaf

Most lumps in the breast don't float around. But it can be hard to find them, especially if they are deep. A cyst can feel fairly soft near the surface of the breast, and if the same cyst is deep in the breast can feel hard.



The breast is made of tissue, like other parts of your body, and is not fluid-filled sack. A lot of the breast is water (including blood, and , if you are lactating, milk.) But things can be hard to find.



I have had a radiologist say he found something, then the next radiologist said he couldn't find what the other radiologist found. So doctors can have trouble finding lumps or suspicious lesions.



If you have found something, try to show it to the health professional when you go in for your exam. They may need help from you to find it.

rumoret

gscott:

My lump felt just like my nieces lump...hers was not cancer. We both could grab our lump and move it around a little. My lump was cancer.....I was 49 and she was 36 years old. I had know pain and I did monthly exams. My breast were dense and are still dense. I never had a lump before and I knew my breasts well.....thank God it was in the 11:00 o'clock position which is in the upper inner part of your breast. So never try to dx your lumps by just feeling them. Like I said before, my niece and I grabbed our lumps and moved them around....we could not tell the difference.

Love,

Terry