Breast Check

[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.

[Aimz]

That is incredibly helpful - thanks Dach.

Off to do my very first official breast check now!

[smiles4u]

Good on you Amy

... I just treat it no different than getting a pap smear - It's just a part of a woman's life & looking after herself without getting yourself all worried about it.

Sadly to answer your question, myself & SIL both had the lump at the back wall cavity. No where near a surface

Cheers for now from Lorelle

[sconeonamission]

the neighbour lady next to my dh's parents just found she has breast cancer and told every woman she knew to get checked, regardless of age... I was going to start a thread but found this! Thank you!

as with amysarah - mine have always been lumpy. had a "breast check" type thing not long after ds was born... she didn't mention anything. Could the lumps that I have be nasty, but just feel like normal lumps? I'm not worried - but if I was that type of person, just thinking that could flip someone out!

[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