Don't do breast checks?

[Persephone1]

I've read that self-checks are pointless because finding them 'early' does not increase the overall chance of survival form cancer, but it does increase the chance of them having a biopsy on a benign lump.

I didn't see the show, but perhaps the Doctor should have explained what she meant by it. I've also heard that because most women don't know what they're looking for that encouraging them to self-check is pointless until you teach them what to look for.

The book where I read it is called Womens Bodies, Womens Wisdom by Dr Christiane Northrup, in case anyone is interested.

I've found a lump in my breast before and now there are two - I'm a bit like LimeSlice though, and the lumps are benign. The process for having them checked out was incredibly traumatic, and the core biopsy was extremely painful. I was left feeling like a butchered pin cushion, and the process was incredibly clinical. The bruising afterwards made my breast look like I'd been involved in a brutal sex attack - I'm not exaggerating. I certainly would think twice about having any other lumps checked in the future, but I've made that decision after informing myself of the risks and facts, and wouldn't tell anyone else to do that just because I do.

I think women should inform themselves about their bodies and their own health, regardless of what any doctor or marketing campaign tells us. Has anyone seen the most recent Rexona adverts? Apparently we're all sweating too much now as well and should all start wearing 'clinical grade' deodorant. Pfft.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Its for those of us who sweat alot. In summertime i have to apply 24hr deoderant 3 times a day because otherwise i stink! i only have to walk fast for 10 mins and ill be dripping with sweat! its gross! So i think its a great idea. I have always been to embarrassed to see a doctor about it but i am glad they have released something i can use. You use it before bed time and it soaks into the skin and its actually 48hr protection so may work for 24hrs on me

[Heaven]

I actually found a lump in my breast and just had an ultrasound on it this week (was just a lymph node apparently, yay ) and I told the u/s woman what the Dr on Sunrise said and she thought it was stupid too. She said that most of the time the lumps are benign anyway but they don't care bc it's worth investigating them all for the lives you do save!

[MantaRay]

Persophone, I am really sorry that you had to go through the pain of a core biopsy. They certainly are uncomfortable, and very, very painful. However, to add another perspective to it - mine showed a pre-cancerous lump which they were able to remove before it did any harm, so they can be worth it.

I am now checked every year with a mammogram, u/s and examination by my breast surgeon. This past check they did a fine needle biopsy on something which showed up on the u/s and turned out to be nothing. I think they are "jumping at shadows" due to my history, but it is the better of the options..

[Mak]

I guess it is personal choice but to be honest if it were me, I'd rather have things checked out and find out that the diagnostic process was overzealous IYKWIM.
It is difficult if you have other issues but early detection DOES influence the course of action. It really bothers me when there are blanket statements that may stop people seeking advice, it really is misleading - some people have to fight for a diagnosis and more often than not they have to insist on further opinions/testing as they don't fit the 'mould'.

[Nai]

A girlfriend of mine found a lump when she was 25 and went to the Dr about it - fortunately she did as it was cancerous and she had to have surgery. That was 15 years and 2 children ago. If self-checking saves one life then I say it's worth it. I will still be checking mine!

[AnyDream]

I've read that self-checks are pointless because finding them 'early' does not increase the overall chance of survival form cancer, but it does increase the chance of them having a biopsy on a benign lump.

Persephone, I'm sorry but I think you are confused. From the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre:

Finding breast cancer early means that you have more treatment options and your chances of survival are better. Survival is lower if the cancer has already spread outside the breast when it is diagnosed. As an example, about 9 out of 10 women whose cancer is diagnosed before it has spread outside the breast will be alive 5 years later. However, if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body at diagnosis, only about 2 out of 10 women will be alive 5 years later.

It is true that finding a pre-cancerous tumour is more likely to result in biopsy & invasive procedures when there is no evidence that all pre-cancerous tumours will eventuate into cancer. However since a percentage of these pre-cancerous lumps do eventuate in cancer they are all treated aggressively. Personally I'd much rather be loosing a breast now than find out in 5 or 10 years time that I breast cancer that has metastisized all through my bones, brains, liver, etc. Trust me by that stage it is a painful and difficult disease and the treatment regimes are far more brutal than early stage cancers.

So, please don't risk it. Feel your boobies, feel them often.