To question GP?

[Nicknamegoeshere]

So I'm 9 weeks PP with my third baby. 39 years. I've been on the progesterone-only pill (POP) since I was 17. Asked GP if I could restart and he said I'd need regular breast examinations? I've never heard of this before and can't find any guidelines suppporting this?

Can anybody shed any light?

Sounds like bollocks to me.

Is he some sort of pervert who wants to touch your boobs??

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progestogen-only_pill
It can cause breast cancer, hence the boob exams

Think that's correct, plus we all should be having regular breast examinations anyway if there's any increased risk of breast cancer (which there is with POP).

There does seem to be a link between the progesterone only pill and breast cancer.
Given your age and the length of time you’ve been on it , it’s probably in your interests to have these examinations.
Maybe ask for a female GP to conduct them or if not , you’ll be offered a chaperone.

You should regularly examine your breasts not him?

You should regularly examine your breasts not him?

You should examine your own breasts monthly, but it's important to get them checked regularly (timing depending on circumstances) by a doctor too - the methods in how to self examine do change.

What rubbish. I have never had my breasts checked by the gp. I've used the mini pill and mirena coil

Are you in US? Or is GP American? They start the mammograms at age 40 in US so sometimes American GPs get a bit confused.

Are you in the UK?

I'm in ROI and this is what I've found;

Research about the risk of breast cancer, cervical cancer and hormonal contraception is complex and contradictory. Current research suggests that users of all hormonal contraception appear to have a small increase in risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer compared to non-users of hormonal contraception. Further research is ongoing. All risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor.

I'll link the website

www.ifpa.ie/factsheets/progesterone-only-pill/

I think the GP was maybe just putting emphasis on the fact that you would need to be more aware of any breast changes as there's a small increased risk?
Maybe ask him to elaborate next time you have an appointment with him.
If you are in the UK, the GUM clinics are fantastic (the nurses and doctors there know about pills/contraception inside out so they would know what their talking about)

I was on HRT when diagnosed at 50 with Breast Cancer. I had to stop taking it immediately. After surgery the cancer cells were tested and were strongly positive for Progesterone and positive for Oestrogen. They obviously won't admit it but the likelihood is that my cancer was caused by these hormones. If they can cause it in HRT, then they can cause it if in the contraceptive pill.

The GP is probably being cautious.You can always ask for a chaperone to be present.

Did they mean self examine? I am a female GP with an interest in women’s health and I do not do breast exams yearly on all my pill patients. You are best to examine regularly and get to know your own breasts, as you are more likely to pick up a small change early and be able to flag it to your GP :)

I've spoken to am experienced practice nurse who says he is indeed incorrect. It is in no guidelines that a HCP needs to examine them!
Of course all women should examine their own boobs regularly and obviously seek advice if they find any changes etc.
Having looked into it, the breast cancer risk is only very slightly increased with the POP, and less so than with the combined.
The great news is that breastfeeding also redices risk of breast cancer. I have three kids (13, 10 and 9 weeks) and have been feeding in total so far almost 5 years 😊

I'm in the UK.

@Thedot90 I could have misunderstood, but he definitely made it sound like they should be examined by someone else? I know we all should be self-examining regularly.
I am breastfeeding my new baby (and plan to be for at least the next three years), but would like to think I would be aware of any changes on self-exam like you say.

As an aside, I definitely know no contraception is 100% effective as I fell pregnant on Noriday despite taking it absolutely correctly!! Sadly the pregnancy ended in miscarriage but it was a bit of a shock to say the least!