Breast pumping found a new lump.

[nicol1333]

Hello-

I am almost 2 weeks postpartum and am pumping because my baby won’t latch. I noticed a few days ago that there is a lump that’s has grown at least double in size since I’ve had my baby. I had previously noticed this new lump but I was positive I could press it and move it a bit so I told myself I wouldn’t worry until after the baby came. Now it’s at least DOUBLED. When my breast fills with milk it’s so big I can feel it trough the skin. I’m a first time mom and don’t know what to expect. Can this happen and it be normal? When I feel it it’s rubbery in different positions.

I’m a mess. I’ve had horrible health anxiety and my pregnancy ended up with complications and my anxiety is seriously out of control. I can’t stop checking the lump and I’m afraid I’ve not got advance cancer. I’m so scared.

[Carys]

So, are you saying its doubled in size in the last couple of weeks ? If that is the case then it is most likely related to pregnancy hormonal changes (getting ready for breast feeding), and the fact you are lactating. Or, it could be a blocked milk duct or mastitis ? Or it could be that your breast has become engorged with milk and you are noticing the change when you are full? There are any number of possible benign causes. Breast cancer problems don't change that quickly that something would double in size in a couple weeks.Are there any other symptoms that you can tell ?

Absolutely this type of thing can happen and be for benign reasons. Infact most referrals for breast issues are found to be benign . I don't know how you are set up in the US for care after giving birth - we have a midwife and health visitor system here. Do you have somebody similar that you could go to for reassurance and checking ? It does need to be looked at by someone, to find out what is going on and you need that support right now just after having had a baby and having some anxiety issues.

Of course you will have read that some women can get breast cancer during pregnancy - I'm not going to pretend otherwise with you. However, it is rare (I don't know your age, you say you are a first time Mum, so possibly fairly young?) and the bottom line is that anything found that worries you, and doesn't feel normal should be seen sooner rather than later. I know you are incredibly anxious, but don't leave this, the high likelihood is that it is nothing to be concerned about but you must get it seen for your own peace of mind. I do notice also that a couple fo years ago, from your previous posts, that you had fears about breast lumps and cancer. That obviously proved to be nothing then, so chances are it'll be the same this time.

[nicol1333]

Thanks for your response.

I don’t have many other symptoms other than it’s def bigger now and it feels maybe rubbery. I know I have to see the doctor about it but because of my past fear with this I am so anxious about brining it up! Here in the US I have follow up with my OB after two weeks so I’ll see her and Tuesday. I’m just really afraid and struggling.

[nicol1333]

Hi-

I spoke to my Doctor at my 2 week check up and she said she wanted me to see a lactation specialist about my chest and at my 6 week postpartum checkup if the lump is still there she’ll order a ultrasound. Well I’m just about 6 weeks and my lump is still there. It’s more prominent when my milk comes in but it never went away and I’m so scared. I’ve been pushing it and touching it for weeks trying to see if it was a clogged duct with no luck. Now my chest hurts, I have a tickle in my chest and I feel like this is aggressive cancer that’s spread to my lungs! I’m really scared and I feel crazy. I don’t know anythjng about what to expect with breast feeding. The waiting for the ultrasound is making me crazy. I’ve been on google and saw that although rare some women do get breast cancer during or right after pregnancy and usually around my age (I’m 34).

I’m driving my husband nuts with this. No one thinks it’s anything but obviously we won’t know if I’m the unlucky one until the ultrasound is ordered. I’m a mess.

[ktdid2000]

Could it be a clogged duct? I've had those persist for a week or more until I finally got it out.

Have you tried hot compresses or anything like that?

My boobs got huuuuge when I was breastfeeding so lots of changes there. I didn't poke and prod back then like I do now but I remember my breasts almost always feeling hard because I was an oversupplier - tons and tons of milk. Baby never took it all. I started pumping before and after feedings and my breasts got a lot softer and less hard.

Also, the first few months of breastfeeding you're in stage I lactation which is hormonally driven. Basically, your breasts and going nuts trying to produce as much milk as they can for the baby. During stage III (after about 3 months) it's based on supply and demand, so your supply adjusts to however the baby nurses and makes however much is demanded (https://kellymom.com/hot-topics/milkproduction/).

I'm not a doctor, but I think most cancers from pregnancy show up during stage III of lactation which is when milk cells start dying off (called involution) as your supply adjusts. The thinking is something going wrong with telling cells to go away and they can mutate and transform into cancer. It can happen, but it's very very rare. Interestingly, extended breastfeeding seems to protect against this (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24607778).

I'm a huge booby advocate so I'm a little biased! I breastfed both my boys, one for 3.5 years and the second is still going at 2.5 years.

When is your ultrasound?