Breast Check

[MantaRay]

Amy, I recommend you go and ask your GP to show you. It is very important to do it every month and to do it correctly. This is a pet topic of mine as mum has had breast cancer and I have had a precancerous lump removed already (about a year before conceiving DS1).

The best time of the month is early in your cycle, a few days after AF starts, as this is when they are less lumpy. Lift one arm above your head, and with your other hand gently start under your arm and work your way around the whole breast. You are feeling for any changes or lumps (a lump might feel like a pea under the skin, or just like a lump. If you are not sure if something is a lump or not, go and get it checked. It is better to be on the safe side.

Good on you for asking this question. As well as helping yourself, you might be helping someone else who doesn't know too!

[Aimz]

Thanks heaps Manta. I'm not sure why I've never been shown how! My grandmother died of breast cancer when I was three and my Mum has also had a precancerous lump removed. A close work colleague was also diagnosed with breast cancer and has been in remission for 5 years. I've never really thought to check my breasts (being only 23) until now when I realised that breast cancer can still occur in women in their early 20's.

My GP has never asked me if I check my breasts, nor has my gynaecologist. I'm not sure why Mum never taught me either - I'll chase her up when she returns from overseas!

Thanks heaps for giving me some info. The next time I am at my GP I will ask.

[Phteven]

Dr Chris Steele demonstrates how to examine your breasts

Don't forget to check up under your pits and the area near your neck.

[Aimz]

Thanks heaps for that link Dach. Very informative.

[smiles4u]

Hi ya Amy, ... I had my 1st scare at 26 & actually had breast cancer surgery at just turned 34

My SIL is 26 & found out she had breast cancer in March, she has one more round of chemo to go.

My older sister had surgery last Wed & finds out tomorrow if they got it all ... Fingers crossed for her

To be honest Amy I myself can't tell one lump in my boob from my next so I get my GP to check them for me. She does it when I have a pap smear

The GP takes it quite serious if there has been breast cancer history on your Mother's side of the Family. Therefore usually you can have a mamogram at an earlier age in your 20's

Yeh, your GP is the best person to ask in how to go about checking them as they can do you a demo, which is easier to see it been done on yourself !!

(Don't forget those armpits too !!!!)

[Phteven]

I think it's good to do it yourself as well as getting your GP to do it.
Your boobs are lumpy normally but in a few months you'll know what is normal for you so you'll notice any changes.
Your GP can feel any lumps that have a non-fleshy consistancy but she doesn't know what is normal for your breasts so she might miss a change that you won't.

[Aimz]

I think that is why I am confused. My boobs have many lumps and bumps anyway and I'm not sure how to determine what is a normal part of my breast and what is not. Will a suspicious lump sit closer to the surface?

[Phteven]

I think you mainly need to look for changes in colour, sensitivity, discharge, unusual textures, new lumps and so on. Familiarity with your own breasts means that you will notice subtle changes.
There is an article from The Mayo Clinic HERE that explains breast familiarity.

[HotI]

The GP takes it quite serious if there has been breast cancer history on your Mother's side of the Family. Therefore usually you can have a mamogram at an earlier age in your 20's

This applies if you have a history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer in either your Mother or your Father's side of the family. There are a few indicators they look at such as the age at which the family member got cancer.

If you meet the criteria, you can get an appointment to a familial cancer centre who can work out your risk of getting cancer, and assist in getting screening mamograms etc.

For info on familial cancers, see the brochures at GHSV and contact your local genetic centre.
Genetic Health Services Victoria

[Sopdet]

I do my check monthly, but every day I look at the texture of my breasts as I massage oil into them, to see if anything has changed.

I'm also off for my first mamogram tomorrow.

[MrsFabuloso]

Just thought I'd this...it's so important!!

[Raupe]

Now, I've got huuuuge breasts. As in 18GG. I REALLY can't tell anything when I examine myself. There are lumps everywhere and wayyyy too many to remember. I start on the outside of one boob and by the time I reach the inside I have completely forgotten what lumps there where on the outside They are just too big. I mean I have to examine about 4kg of breast tissue. That's A LOT! Can I maybe get a mammogram done? How often would I do that to be able to pick up on lumps on time? Also, how much does it cost? My doctor examines me every two years when I'm there for my pap smear. But How will she know whether there are changes in my breast when not even I can notice?

[MrsFabuloso]

I would advise that you continue with your monthly self exams, but when you next go to your doc, talk to her about what your options are. I will be. Plus I will be doing regular checks cause I have been lazy lately! My boobs aren't necessarily huge, but they are lumpy naturally and I can't tell what's abnormal. Maybe just because I've never had anything abnormal (I hope!) and maybe if there is something abnormal I will be able to tell...but I will be speaking to my GP about what other options there are or what to look out for when doing checks.

I have actually never spoken to anyone about it, I find it kind of sad that it's not something my doc asks me about regularly, or even ever!