I really struggle with self breast examinations

[Marvvydog]

It's not that I don't know how to do it, more of I don't really know what the hell I'm looking for.

Obviously, a lump is the obvious one, but then on most of the breast information websites, it states that 'most women have lumpy breasts'. So, I'm looking for a lump in a potential lumpy breast?!

I always end up giving it my best shot but always feeling somehow defeated. I also end up getting paranoid and obsessive about it too. Like, frantically examining myself and getting worked up about it while feeling I'm not quite doing it right somehow. I can always feel my milk glands (lumpy things), the milk pipes around my nipple (also lumpy and bumpy), my lymph nodes in my arms pits (also lumpy) etc etc.

Doesn't help that I have god awful health anxiety and a history of breast cancer in my maternal family.

Anyone else who just feeling overwhelmed by the whole thing? I know how utterly ridiculous that sounds!

Not overwhelmed no but it is difficult to know what you are looking for so I tend to just consider I'm looking for anything that feels different or obviously not part of the usual makeup of my breast.

I also find it challenging as seem to constantly find ‘lumps’...and then find matching ones on the other side so they’re meant to be there🙄. One thing that was helpful was last time I went for a smear the nurse had a silicon fake breast which you could feel the lumps in as a demonstration. However I feel utterly embarrassed that I’m still essentially fumbling in the dark so to speak - wish there was some service where you could get them assessed by someone who knew what they’re doing!!

Yes, I also find I just a bit about the whole thing. I'm not good with blood, veins etc and when I feel anything lumpy I go a bit funny.

I just tell Dh to keep an eye out for me and I do the same for him.

I don't do it. I can't bear the feeling of bones through tissue 🤢🤮

Yeah I have no clue what I'm doing, but unlike you I don't really worry about it. I get text reminders from CoppaFeel - and then I get DH to examine me . He is a HCP though and is trained to do them! So that's handy.

Bones through tissue? How hard are you pressing? To be fair my boobs are huge so no chance of getting near bones through them!!

You can feel sternum and stuff.

Yes it makes me feel a bit too now that you say it. My boobs are pretty small-ish so I can feel my bones/sternum too. It just all feels gristly.

I just always feel none the wiser after I've done it which in turn stresses me out. I'd love to have some sort of drop in clinic where someone can do it for me once a month!

I breastfed, and enjoy my husband touching them. I have no idea why I'm so when examining them though.

Same MyRashyKid. I'm usually fine with blood and gore but for some reason I can't seem to deal with self-examining!

I feel bit yuk about it too. I do it but I don't know what I'm looking for and if I found something I'd scare myself stupid over it.

I'm also squeamish about it. Not other parts of my body, it's just boob-poking that grosses me out.

I'm also squeamish about it. Not other parts of my body, it's just boob-poking that grosses me out.

YES. Also, I have a thing where the idea of pushing inward on the breast (nipple area) just makes me want to heave. I actually feel ill typing that. I wonder if it's like a left over from when you're young and first get breasts and they bloody hurt all the time.

My people!

RedDead, I feel the same. Today for example, I felt my lymph node in my arm pit. I know it's my lymph node. I've been poking and prodding it all day long and now I can feel mass-hysteria starting to rumble. My total lack of confidence drives me mad.

Blinkin, that silicone boob sounds good to practice on!

Bert2e As far as I remember not very hard, but it was probably 25 years ago when I had smaller boobs. It's a revolting feeling.