WorryGal, sorry you're worried! But it's good that you're paying attention to changes in your breast. In general, breast cancer is painless. If you're feeling a change in your breast, one that doesn't come and go with your periods, you should have it checked out. Not all breast cancer feels like a lump; some feels like a thickening. That's why it's important to stay in touch with your breasts - literally! I'd suggest you schedule a precautionary checkup with you doctor, to set any worries to rest. Good luck- PJH

Hey Worry!

This was my personal experience when I found my lump in 2005.  Mine was in the 12 o'clock position and you could grab hold of it with your thumb & forefinger.  It moved slightly, and felt somewhat painful (but that could've just been from grabbing it)  It felt like a marble to me - and to keep tabs on that lump till I could see my doctor, I took a black sharpie marker and circled it.  Once I showed it to my doctor she sent me out to get a mammo & ultrasound.  The mammo showed any spots that appeared cancerous, the ultrasound basically was used to determine if it was solid like or fluid filled.  After those test, I had a lumpectomy because my mammo appeared plain as day, just like the brochure showed.  After the pathology returned I was then told it was cancer and set to receive a modified radical mastectomy.  After I went thru chemo, I found a lump on the other side.  Again I used a sharpie to track it.  Again I was sent in for a mammo and ultrasound - but the good news that time was that there was no lump to be found.

The ultrasound tech ruled that I had "very" lumpy breast tissue (my reason for having it removed later on - my piece of mind so I didn't go batty over every lump!)

So to answer your question that lump could be cancerous or it could be a cyst that dissolves on it's own over time.  Either way you're better off mentioning it to your doctor so you can have it looked at and have your own piece of mind!

Just remember it to try and relax (stress just makes the worrying worse, I know as the stress caused me horrible adult acne) till you can find out for sure.  I applaud you for examing yourself.  I think that a lot of women don't do it thinking that their dr will catch it, which isn't always the case.

Good luck.  I hope it turns out to be nothing!

Angi