Is it normal to feel lil nodules in your breast around the breast or deep in your armpit?

Nodules deep in armpits are lymph nodes and are normally normal (should not feel swollen or tender to the touch.)

Many women, including those in my family, have fibrocystic breasts. When you palpate them, you can feel many tapioca-like little thingees.

“Fibrocystic breast condition is a common benign problem for many women. It is estimated that over 50% of women have clear signs of fibrocystic breasts and 90% have some cellular changes associated with the condition. However, many women will notice no particular discomfort. The degree of breast pain experienced varies among women and is sometimes different with each menstrual period, or at different times in a woman’s life cycle. Fibrocystic breast condition can occur at any age after menstruation starts, although the frequency peaks between age 30 and menopause. It rarely occurs after menopause.”

If you are feeling changes or something different, have your family doctor do a breast and nodule exam.
And check yours monthly, easily done with soap in the shower.

@gail I feel this 1 ball in my armpit but it’s so tiny I can’t seem to find it again. I’ve had lymph node problems and I haven’t thought about it in 3 months but now a lil concerned it’s a lymph node. I thought you weren’t supposed to be able to feel lymph nodes unless enlarged in the armpit area I this true or some can feel harmless balls there?

Missjena: I am 13 years away from breast cancer surgery and I no longer have nodes under my arm pits. You would certainly feel easier having your doc. check you out. I know that the breast tissue and nodes changes due to hormones over the course of a monthly cycle, but a menstrual period is just a memory for me now.

Ok… if the node is hard, mobile and hurts… have it checked out… otherwise… lymph nodes are one of the many ways your body fights infections… they sometimes swell when WBC’s flood in there in an attempt to erracidacte any specific antibody. as far as the little lumps in your breasts, Fibrotic changes are common in many women, however if you are nearing or past 40 i would suggest getting it checked out just in case… a good checkup once in a while can help nip any problems in the bud were they to present themselves :)

@gail my aunt was just diagnosed with breast cancer and is extremely worried. If you don’t mind me asking what stage were u? What did u do to rid the cancer? And did it come back etc.

@ dr c. I am 23 years old. I’ve had lymph node issues before that’s y I’m so concerned but all my lymph node tests point to a benign condition but this new 1 is getting me worried. Ugh

(—WBC’s = white blood cells = immune system.)

I had microcalcifications (different than a solid lump) in my breast and had a lumpectomy. However, the two sentinel armpit nodes that were removed were stage II, so I chose chemo, radiation and five years on oral tamoxifen (by mouth.) I am now clean and healthy and on year 13 of remission. I get a yearly mammogram and a yearly check-up and blood work for cancer markers by Oncologist.

I also changed a lot of things after I finished treatment and got my strength back – lost weight, gave up all meat and most chicken and fish, exercise regularly and use techniques to reduce stress and keep me from worrying.

Instead of worrying, have it checked out. Looking back on my experience, it wasn’t a day at the beach but the right attitude made it bearable.

Thanks gail I appreciate the advice. I’m due for a check up anyway at the gyno. For some reason my lymph nodes are just palpable.

You do keep asking this question; why not just get the check up? You’ll feel much better.

This is a first for me with the armpit thing n breast that’s why I asked. I just didn’t know it was normal with breasts to feel things in and around them.

@gailcalled you are an icredibly brave woman and a great example to anyone reading this. My mother is a breast cancer survivor and i can’t help but admire the strenghth, tenacity and focus of mind it takes to fight the disease and remain optimistic.

You madam are a great woman.

I agree with dr c

There are thousands and thousands of women (and men) who have gone through treatment and survived. The breast I had the lumpectomy on is actually perkier than the other one, which I find funny. My major difficulty now is finding a decent and comfortable bra for two slightly different sized boobs.

I have friends who have had double mastectomies and then reconstruction, I have had friends who have had both breasts removed and said, “Wonderful. I’m here. Who cares?” I have one friend who had one mastectomy and when she goes out, she simply shoves a shoulder pad in the empty bra cup. Sometimes that pad wanders into uncharted waters, like her shoulder or elbow. Neither she nor her husband give a flying fig.