Big lumps in both breasts since around 9 years

AWomanEngineer · August 2019

Hello everyone! This is my first time sharing this information with anyone at all and it feels safe here to do so. I'll be turning 26 this May and it feels I've always had lumpy breasts ever since I can remember. I do have one vague memory of feeling a little marble-like lump developing in one breast and then in the other one too when I was around 15 years old or younger. The lumps seemed to grow in size and number when I was 21 or 22 and I don't remember them being painful back then. They did cause me discomfort when I lay on my stomach.

It's been two years now that the lumps hurt, especially when pressed and otherwise too a little at times. I feel a sudden sharp pain in my breasts sometimes which goes away on its own. At times, they itch too. I've also noticed my nipples go flat (not retracted inward) occasionally but the shape becomes normal again on its own or when I touch them for a while. My breasts hurt more and feel heavier when I'm approaching my period, but this does not happen every time and the big lumps remain all the same after the period is over. The lumps are big, must be around 5cm or so and hard and located underneath the nipple and on the sides of the breasts too. I don't think I've ever been able to feel them moving. Recently, I noticed a little part of my left breast (3 o' clock) get free from the lump (like the lump has subsided from that part); it's the first time I've ever felt what the surface of my breast feels like or what it is like to have a soft area in breasts.

I want to know if there's anyone who has had any similar experience? I understand I should go see a doctor but I'm so scared and I haven't told my parents as it would make them very worried too. I'm thinking of secretly visiting a doctor on my own. I recently got engaged and this has got me extremely anxious about having to marry with this fear or having to hide anything from one's partner. Any of your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking out time to read through my post. Cheers.

MinusTwo · August 2019

Engineer - sounds like dense fibercystic breast disease. I had lumps & bumps all my life. Because of ongoing pain & discomfort, I finally gave up coffee. That worked for the sore breasts except didn't solve the problem w/the lumps. Every single mammogram from age 30 through age 70 showed dense breasts and I was called back for an additional diagnostic mammo and an ultrasound. So that is basically 50 years with no cancer in site. When a biopsy was finally recommended & did pick up DCIS, I was almost 70 and opted for a bilateral mastectomy.

That said, yes you should see your OB/Gyn. I see NO reason to tell your parents at this time. If you don't have a GYN yet, you need to find one anyway since you're getting married. Why would a doc appointment need to be secret? But if you're worried about that, just tell your parents you're going to have a engagement/pre-marital work up now that you're a grown-up. If you drink coffee - quit for awhile & see if it makes a difference. Hopefully you will be lucky like I was, but DO NOT put off a doc appointment. Good luck.

KBeee · August 2019

I second the advice to get checked. Most likely fibrocystic breasts, but best to be safe. It is no one else's business. It will hopefulkly put your mind at ease so you can move forward without worry.

AliceBastable · August 2019

You are 26. Why would you need your parents' approval to see a doctor? Why would it have to be in secret? Make that appointment!

AWomanEngineer · August 2019

MinusTwo- thank you, I hope the same. Glad you got a timely diagnosis. I do have coffee occasionally, I’ll stop taking even that too and see if it helps. Your idea regarding putting the appointment as pre-marital work is really helpful. I’m so anxious I didn’t think of it. Did you notice your lumps growing in number or size? And did they hurt a lot? Lately, mine have been aching more than they used to. It’s a slight constant pain that stays for some hours at least. I’m setting up an appointment. Thanks and sending love your way.

KBeee- thank you for replying. I hope it’s only fibrocystic breasts. And you’re right I need to set up an appointment to ease my mind.

Alice- secretive just so they don’t get so worried. My mother is battling depression and I’m the only child so they’re over protective. Also, the place I live at is small and everyone knows almost everyone else so if I go to the local hospital, my parents would certainly know. Making an appointment in a hospital slightly farther away. Thanks for your reply

I’ll update.

KBeee · August 2019

Making an appointment at a hospital a little farther away sounds like a great idea!

AWomanEngineer · April 2020

Hi! It’s been quite some time since I updated this.

I managed to make my first appointment with an OB/GYN breast surgeon on 28th August, 2019. After examination, she told me to take Evening Primrose Oil and suggested that I get an ultrasound done ‘just to be safe/sure’ (I’ve forgotten the exact word). I couldn’t get a place for an ultrasound that day and I had to leave the city. Went to another OB/GYN in the new city, she performed a clinical breast exam and asked to continue with EPO (did not ask for an ultrasound).

The breast pain hadn’t been bothering me while I was taking EPO but the lumpiness was still there. I stopped EPO for a while and the symptoms returned. For the last 3-4 months, I feel extreme heaviness and lumpiness in both my breasts and pain before periods. The pain improves when I start bleeding but is always there when I touch my breasts and apply some pressure.

As of this week since the last 5 days (my period comes on the 7th), I’m feeling pain in the upper outer quadrants of both the breasts and I feel a thickened area in the same spot in both breasts. It seems very hard to touch and almost has a bean-bag like texture with raised, pointy spots followed by depressions, and very painful if touched. I haven’t ever felt this texture before in my breast self exams. Waiting to see if it goes away after the period.

Not being able to get an appointment due to Covid, I’m only freaking out and imagining the worst situations. Please let me know what you think so I might be able to think rationally.

MinusTwo · April 2020

Many (if not most) women have changes in their breasts around the time of their periods - and many have pain 2 weeks out of their cycles. All the things I said last year are still valid. Sounds like you never did get a mammogram, let alone an ultrasound. I expect that would be your next step. Call the doctor that you liked best and describe your symptoms and get set up for the testing. In many parts of the country there is likely to be some easing of non-emergency medical procedures soon. But even if you can't get an appointment until June - make the call & set it up today.

Beesie · April 2020

AWomanEngineer,

What you describe sounds like the classic symptoms of perfectly normal but highly fibrocystic breasts. I could have described my breasts the same way from the time I was a teenager until I hit menopause. Nothing you describe, in terms of how the pain and lumpiness changes with your cycle and use of the EPO, sounds like breast cancer.

What you can do rationally is read up on fibrocystic breasts so that you realize how closely the descriptions fit your experience. And then you can hopefully stop thinking the worst.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibrocystic-breasts/symptoms-causes/syc-20350438

https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/what-are-fibrocystic-breast-changes#1

https://www.medicinenet.com/fibrocystic_breast_condition/article.htm#fibrocystic_breast_condition_definition_and_facts

Big lumps in both breasts since around 9 years

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