How often do you check for…

[Tittyboom]

…boob lumps?

I found a lump in my boob recently. Scared the absolute shite out of me as it was accompanied by pain. Turned out it was all tickedy boo(b) and was just glandular tissue. It was obvious as I don’t have much in the way of boobs. It’s not the first lump I’ve found as I’ve previously had cysts.

I check my boobs religiously every month (early 30s), one week after my period. Laying down, arm up, the lot. The doctor told me that most women confess to not checking regularly.

I have to confess to being really shocked by that and when I asked my friends, they all said they almost never check, apart from a cursory once over every now and then.

Is that normal? How often do people check? If you don’t, why don’t you?

Once a month without fail, but then I've had several friends with breast cancer.

Mammogram every 2 years.
Check boobs for lumps every time I shower.
No family history, it’s just a habit I picked up when I was on the pill in my 20s and the women’s health centre advised it.

Every time I shower. A friend of a friend died of breast cancer in her 30s (she was diagnosed in her mid 20s). From when she first got her diagnosis she campaigned relentlessly to raise awareness for women to self-check often as early diagnosis is so important to achieve a positive outcome. I owe it to her to keep my promise.

I never check. I refuse breast screening.

Every couple of months when I remember. I have very lumpy boobs so not sure I would notice if something was wrong but aunt had breast cancer so I do try

@AngeloMysterioso

Is there a reason why you couldn’t put “boob lumps” in the thread title?

No, except I wanted to make sure it fit. I’m using my phone and the mobile site doesn’t always seem display thread titles fully. I want going for clickbait intrigue or anything, not about something as serious as breast health.

I check every few months. I haven’t made a choice not to check regularly but I am naturally disorganised and it’s not part of my routine so I just tend to check sporadically when I remember in the shower, which isn’t often. No family history of cancers and I don’t have personal experience of anybody close to me having cancer either so I suppose the thought of having it isn’t really on my radar.

@Bargebill19

No. And not about to start. Have refused the mammogram program as well.

I'm sorry but I really don't understand this

If caught early, cancer treatment for breast cancer can be pretty easy to cope with. If left, it can take over your whole body and lead to a slow, painful death.
I've got another 5 days of radiotherapy to go and am coping fine with the only problem being fatigue. I had a lumpectomy and node removal 8 weeks ago which again was straightforward. Leaving the lump that I found when self checking would have led to more drastic surgery and chemotherapy

Once a week in the shower. Something so simple that can save your life why would any one not check? Do you people not go for your smear tests aswell?

I don't really know how to. They're very dense and also huge so I struggle to check them!

Every month, on the first, ok, sometimes the second, 3 woman close to me have breast cancer, all 3 alive thanks to early detection, it’s important

I don't make a habit of specifically looking for lumps, but when I'm in the shower/bath, I give them a good clean so I imagine (or hope) id spot something then.

Minor exam every week, full exam including standing up, laying down, full visual check and in bath check every month.

I never checked very regularly when younger as it seemed like my breasts were all lumps anyway. I have very small breasts and was randomly adjusting my bra two years ago when I found a tiny lump, smaller than a pea. Had it checked out although I was sure it was nothing (no history of breast cancer in my family).
It was cancer, a very aggressive cancer. When removed the lump was only 6mm but it would have killed me if I hadn't found it when I did.
I had surgery, chemo and radiotherapy and am currently cancer free.
I now have a monthly alarm set to check breasts.

Also, I am 61, but in the course of my treatment it was truly shocking how many much younger women I met with breast cancer.

I probably check the fatty tissue weekly, a proper nipple out check is monthly/6weekly ( depends when I can without kids interrupting!)

@Hax all my 3 woman were in their 30s, two just barely, it’s definitely not an age thing

Never specifically, but I wash them daily so I'd realise if there was anything "odd".

I’ve explained my reasoning up thread.
If you are younger or have family to raise, I can see others would have a different viewpoint.

Sorry that was to @Mangofandangoo.
I blame the keyboard..

I never have. I have no idea how and it's never been suggested!

@Tittyboom fair enough!

Well to answer your q I check when it occurs to me, which admittedly isn’t often. I had a friend who was diagnosed with BC in her 20s though and died in her early 30s (I’m 35) so I know I ought to check more.

Until last year I hardly checked my boobs.
In November I went for my mammogram and I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
No one else in the family have had cancer so it was quite a shock.
Fortunately it was caught early and like @Hax if it hadn't it could have killed me.
I'm also 61. I now tell everyone to check their boobs.
When I had my first operation the lady in the next bed was only 24 and had a 6m old baby.

Every couple of weeks. I have quite lumpy boobs though, so I need to know what's "normal".

It's a 30 second job, I don't know why you'd not bother. Same with pelvic floor exercises - aye, it's a bit annoying to do, but surely better than pissing yourself.