I found a small bean sized lump in the lower left side of my neck, its smooth and about 1cm. there isnt one on the other side, no pain or redness. is this likely to be cancer? can you feel normal lymph nodes? in the neck?

What you describe are likely normal resting lymph nodes. They are more often found in the neck because they are not buried within fat or tissue like they are in the rest of the body. The most common problem they could bring is when one swells to golf ball size from infection & needs to be drained to heal. Most often they swell when working & shrink weeks later to rest.

What you felt is likely a lymph node. You may feel the nodes every couple of weeks, if any of the lymph glands doubles in size, becomes painful, ulcerates, or other nodes become enlarged, or you develop fever, or lose weight, you should see a doctor. Wish you good health!