Lumps in dense breast tissue

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Hello, I hope you don't mind me asking this question. I have had breast cancer but this is on behalf of a close relative. She is mid-forties, has in the last 4 years had a hysterectomy (not cancer-related), one ovary removed because of a cyst and had a cyst drained in her breast. She was recently sent back to the cyst clinic because she had a lump in her breast which was painful. Her GP advised that it was probably a cyst. The cyst clinic has advised her it is not a cyst. She has very dense breasts that are lumpy and the pain is because she is perimenopausal. She had a mammogram and an ultrasound. Her concern is now how she check for lumps that could be cancer. The suspected cyst was a lump and she says she can feel other small lumps. She will be eligible for mammograms in 5 years. My cancer is not inheritable because of my age at diagnosis but it did give us all a shock and emphasised how important it was to do checks and have mammograms. My queries are 1. What should she do to check given she won't know if it is her dense breast lumpiness or a proper lump? Even her GP thought this was a proper lump. 2. Is perimenopausal breast pain common and what can she do? (She is slim, doesn't smoke, exercises but is on Tramadol for headaches and general pain) .  3. For someone with very dense breasts is it worth it to try and get a private scan and what would be best, an ultrasound or MRI? I presume this would not be available on the NHS. Any advice would be very welcome. Thank you

Rozalia

  • Hi  

    Thank you for getting in touch with Macmillan Cancer Support. I’m Linda, one of the Cancer Information Nurses from our support-line. I’m sorry to read about your close relative and can understand the need to be clear about the way forward for her. And I hope you, yourself, are keeping well having had breast cancer.

    When she attended the breast clinic I’m not sure what advice your relative was given about self-checking.  But the best thing is for your relative to become familiar with what feels normal for her. Is she is unsure she can ask her GP or practice nurse for advise about how she should check herself to help her gain confidence in doing this.

    If she notices or any changes to her breasts whilst examining herself it’s always best to get in touch with her GP service for and assessment. Some women may find that they do need to be referred to a breast clinic more often than others because of the make-up of their breasts as this best way of ruling out anything of concern.

    When women are perimenopausal or menopausal they can have a number of different symptoms because of  fluctuating levels of the hormone oestrogen. In relation to our breasts pain, swelling and additional lumpiness can be quite common, but there may be some things that can help. Again, it is worth encouraging your relative to speak with her primary care team or pharmacist about this. As a support-line team we can’t make specific suggestions as to what might help as we have no access to her NHS patient records.

    Some people do find it reassuring to have investigations or surveillance done privately. However, like screening mammograms, this only gives a picture of how the breast are looking on that day. Because of this being breast aware is important. It’s good that your relative has had a mammogram carried out though, and if the breast team had been of the view that she required earlier surveillance they would have made this recommendation. She can get back in touch with them for their guidance about this, even for some reassurance.

    Best wishes

    Linda, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

    Ref: LM/AW