Lump Under Skin Sems to Be on Rib Cage Armpit Area on Aide of Breast Cant Sew Anything on the Skin Had It Doe Almost 17 Years

Wait, Am I the Only One?

At first, I thought it was nothing. I remember reaching up to scratch an itch, and there it was—a sort of lump under the skin, right around my rib cage, close to my armpit, kind of on the side of my breast (lovely location, right?). I swear, it felt like it had been there forever. But then I realized… actually, it has been there forever. Almost 17 years. Wild! The more I worried, the more confused I got—can’t see anything on the surface, it doesn’t hurt, and yet, every time I remember it, those “what if” thoughts come creeping in.

So if you’ve got a lump under skin sems to be on rib cage armpit area on aide of breast cant sew anything on the skin had it doe almost 17 years, you’re not having some rare “only me” experience. Pinky swear. This is a real thing. And we’re going to chat through it, like two friends lounging over coffee, swapping stories and a little bit of worry-laced humor. Because this stuff can make even the most chill among us spiral sometimes.

What Even Is This Lump?

Okay, first thing: let’s paint a picture of what you’re feeling. Is it soft and squishy, movable like a tiny marble? Or maybe it feels deep, almost like part of the muscle or rib itself, not poking out, but just… there? Maybe you press on it out of curiosity every couple months—guilty—and it hasn’t really changed. No redness, no weird skin stuff, nothing you can “see” at all. Kinda boring, if lumps can even be called boring.

Here’s where my own experience matches up with a ton of what I’ve read (and hey, I go down Google rabbit holes with the best of them). A lump like this, living rent free for years without causing any drama, is often something called a lipoma.

Lipoma: The Chill Roommate

Imagine a lump that acts like the roomie who never pays rent, never leaves, but also never eats your food or throws parties. That’s a lipoma. A harmless, soft, fat-based growth, often found under the skin—shoulders, arms, thighs, and guess what, rib cage or armpit area included. They’re usually movable, and they tend to show up in your 30s or 40s. Sometimes you get just one, sometimes a couple.

And the best part? Most lipomas are totally benign. Meaning: they’re not cancer, they don’t turn into cancer, they just… are. Like the freckle you’ve stopped noticing. According to Healthline’s research on armpit lump causes, if your lump is soft, painless, and hasn’t changed in almost 17 years—yes, even if you can’t see anything on the skin—it’s the calling card of a classic lipoma.

Real Person Moment

One of my friends—let’s call her Kelly—has had a squishy little bump right where her bra band sits for over a decade. Freaked her out at first. Then her doctor literally pressed on it, shrugged, and said, “That’s a lipoma. Totally harmless. If it doesn’t bother you, just ignore it.” So now she jokes it’s her third boob, which, honestly, is both medically accurate (it’s breast tissue adjacent!) and hilarious.

What About Cysts? And All The Other Words Docs Throw Out?

Now, those of us deep in WebMD land know that “lump” doesn’t always equal lipoma. There are “cysts”—little fluid-filled balloons under the skin. Sometimes, glands get a mind of their own and swell up after an infection. The list goes on: lymph nodes, fibromas, benign tumors of all shapes and flavors.

And you know what? It’s hard not to immediately think of scary things, especially when a lump hangs close to breast tissue. There are all those stories, the urgent reminders about checking for “changes” during self-exams. Some lumps do warrant a doctor’s look—particularly if they grow, hurt, or feel weirdly hard or stuck. But an unchanged lump for almost two decades? Most docs give that a big meh.

Lipoma vs. The Rest: A Quick Breakdown

Type	Feel	Location	Duration	Worry Level
Lipoma	Soft, squishy, moves easily	Anywhere—rib cage, armpit, arm, etc.	Can last for years (even decades!)	Low
Cyst	Firm, sometimes tender, round	Common under arms, on scalp, back	Comes and goes; can get infected	Varies (infections can happen)
Fibroadenoma (breast tissue lump)	Rubbery, smooth, round-ish	Mainly breast, sometimes near armpit or ribs	Can linger or grow/change	Most are benign, but new or changing ones get checked

Want to know what “worrying” lumps look like? It helps me to see real visual comparisons. If you’re a visual person too, check out these Pictures of breast cancer lumps for a sanity check. You’ll probably breathe a little easier after, promise.

This Lump Is Old News… But Should I Get It Checked?

Here’s where I get honest: I absolutely endorse the occasional “better safe than sorry” trip to the doctor. Even after 17 years. Why? Sometimes, a professional’s glance is all it takes to knock the worry back for another decade (and a quick breeze through the exam room beats late-night anxiety spirals every time).

Doctors, as per the Cleveland Clinic’s handy guide on armpit lumps, usually take a quick look, ask if it’s changed, grown, hurt, or caused other symptoms like fevers or night sweats. Most of the time, if you’ve been hanging out with this lump under skin sems to be on rib cage armpit area on aide of breast cant sew anything on the skin had it doe almost 17 years, the to-do list is short: physical exam, sometimes an ultrasound if it makes you feel better, and maybe nothing more.

But let’s be real. What symptoms scream “get this checked” NOW?

Okay, But When Do I Worry?

• The lump changes size, shape, or gets hard as a rock.
• Pain shows up (not just that “did I sleep funny?” feeling, but real, new pain).
• Skin over it turns red, looks odd, or you can suddenly “see” the lump for the first time.
• There’s swelling, pus, drainage, fever, or you have general “unwell” symptoms.
• Lump is stuck, won’t move, or starts to invade neighboring spaces.

Otherwise? The golden rule from literally every doctor and every major medical site is this: any new, persistent lump deserves a look, but the unchanged, soft, silent kind—especially after years—is almost always harmless. For peace of mind, the when to worry about a lump under skin guide is packed with what’s normal versus what’s “call your doc.” And isn’t that what we all want—some clarity in the “is this bad?” fog?

Quick Real-Life Story

My cousin, who is not a worrier by nature, waited until her annual check-up to ask about her ten-year-old side lump. Her doc took one look, smiled, and said, “You know, people have these all the time. Keep an eye on it, but don’t lose sleep.” She left feeling lighter. Sometimes, you just need the all-clear from someone with a stethoscope.

Armpit, Rib Cage, Side of Breast: Why There?

Why do all the weird lumps end up in the most awkward spots? Super common question. Turns out, this particular spot—the rib cage and armpit meeting point, drifting to the side of the breast—packs in extra fatty tissue, glands, and lymph nodes. Over time, fat lumps (lipomas) and benign breast tissue changes like fibroadenomas or cysts love to live here. Not fair, but also not rare.

Chest Wall Lumps… Should I Worry?

You may have run into dramatic stories of “chest wall tumors” during your Googling. Scary, yes. But those are rare, and almost always grow fast, become painful, and set off other alarm bells. What you’re describing—the good ol’ steady lump under skin sems to be on rib cage armpit area on aide of breast cant sew anything on the skin had it doe almost 17 years—is nothing like that drama. Most sources, including the NHS and Mayo Clinic, agree: benign rules the day in these spots. But context? It always helps to see and feel what’s “not normal”—which takes us back to the comparison images of pictures of breast cancer lumps.

Checking Yourself (Without Freaking Out)

I’m a big fan of the quick, once-a-month self-exam. No need to get all “Grey’s Anatomy”—just run your fingers around your rib cage, side, breast, and armpit while in the shower or lying down. Look for new lumps, changes, or anything weird. Don’t panic about that old, unchanged friend you’ve had for 17 years. You know it by now.

If you’re ever stuck, take two minutes and scroll on your phone through when to worry about a lump under skin. It’s like a checklist: new, growing, weird-feeling? Call your doctor. Otherwise? Write it off until next month.

Personal note

If you feel anxious, call your provider. Most are totally used to these questions. My nurse friend says half her appointments are for “mystery lumps.” Seriously—they don’t mind!

Bottom Line: What’s Your Next Move?

Let’s wrap it up, friend-to-friend. Having a lump under skin sems to be on rib cage armpit area on aide of breast cant sew anything on the skin had it doe almost 17 years is so much more normal than you probably realize. It’s most likely your average lipoma, cyst, or benign tissue change. Annoying? Sometimes. Dangerous? If it hasn’t budged, almost never.

But if you ever get that gut nudge—maybe it’s time again, just to double check, or your anxiety won’t quit—book the appointment. Worst case, your doctor will poke around, explain it, and send you out the door (likely with a smile, maybe even with a funny name for your lump—nobody said medicine can’t have a sense of humor).

So keep trusting your body, stay aware but chill, and use resources like when to worry about a lump under skin or solid pictures of breast cancer lumps to put anxious thoughts to bed. You’re already doing better than you think—being informed, proactive, and a little bit self-compassionate. And remember: we’re all just a little lumpy under the surface. That’s life, right?

Got a story or question about your own mysterious lump? Leave a comment—let’s swap stories, support each other, and maybe share a laugh. You’re not alone, not even close.