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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How often do you check for…

158 replies

Tittyboom · 06/06/2021 17:57

…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?

OP posts:
Tomcullenisahero · 06/06/2021 20:19

I never did until I found a lump about 6 weeks ago as I was showering, you couldn't miss this hard lump!
It turns out it's just toughened glandular tissue but that two week wait to get a scan had me wondering why I never checked before.
I've only just turned 40 but I'll be booking a mammogram regularly now with the Action Cancer bus. I check my breasts all the time so I know what is normal for me

JessieOh · 06/06/2021 20:22

I don't check, simply because its another thing to remember to do. But I really should know better as I'm a hip and a few aunts and my mum have had BC. Thankfully they all survived but I lost a woman who was precious to me years ago, simply because she left it so long between finding the lump and going to the Dr. Sad

I have just put a monthly reminder in my phone to check, starting tonight.
Thanks for the prompt OP.

JessieOh · 06/06/2021 20:23

I'm not a hip, I'm a hcp.
Bloomin autocorrect. 🙄

thebear1 · 06/06/2021 20:23

Thank you for the reminder. I should check regularly, my mother has been treated for breast cancer after she noticed a change. It should be more on my radar.

Holly60 · 06/06/2021 20:25

I don’t actively do a ‘check’ all that often but I will admit to touching my own boobs quite frequently. This might just be in the shower when washing my armpits or as I’m walking naked from one room to another I’ll have a quick squeeze just to check they feel like they normally do. I feel like i would notice pretty quickly if there was a change.

Original poster
Tittyboom · 06/06/2021 20:27

Ah I’m buzzing that at least a few extra people may give their boobs a feel now. It’s astonishing how many of us know women, are related to women and are women affected by cancer.

I know that makes me sound like I started this thread with a trite agenda, I didn’t, though I’m bloody glad I did.

Now I’ve just got to encourage my friends.

OP posts:
Freebird61 · 06/06/2021 20:28

I too was diagnosed with breast cancer last year through mammogram screening ,I had no symptoms at all. Luckily it was found very early and my active treatment is now finished. It is very frightening and I'm currently waiting for my first mammogram results since surgery which is incredibly stress ful but we are so lucky to be offered the screening on the NHS.
Sadly my D sil died of breast cancer age 43, please check yourselves regularly and attend screening, it may save your life.

caringcarer · 06/06/2021 20:29

About 3 times a year. I used to check more before menopause.

KeepingTrack · 06/06/2021 20:33

Never because it’s not a reliable way to check ‘for cancer’ but. It’s an excellent way to make yourself ill with worry.

RagzReturnsRebooted · 06/06/2021 20:34

I frequently find myself randomly groping my own boobs, so perhaps I'm doing it subconsciously? Grin I do occasionally do a proper check though, probably not as often as I should (ie monthly).
I'm a nurse and I remind ladies when they have they smear test about checking beasts. It's just something I was taught to work into the consultation. I should take my own advice!

My MIL died last year of inflammatory BC, at age 67, so I'm quite aware of it. No FH though, thankfully.

ChipsAndKetchup · 06/06/2021 20:42

@KeepingTrack

Never because it’s not a reliable way to check ‘for cancer’ but. It’s an excellent way to make yourself ill with worry.
I found my lump last June and it turned out to be cancer. Luckily I caught it early so after chemo and surgery it's all gone.

So I would disagree with you. Its essential to check because leaving it might mean it's too late.

WingingItSince1973 · 06/06/2021 20:42

I had a scare a few years back and it sent my anxiety into overdrive so I checked constantly to the point I hurt myself. Now it's weekly or if I'm anxious it will be daily. I get myself in a panic if I think there's a change and I can't remember if it was like that previously. I do take medication for my anxiety. It started when my brother was murdered 15 years ago. My health anxiety can be overwhelming so I try and revisit my cbt therapy. All I can say is its better to check at least monthly, standing up and lying down. I've had mammograms and consultants check me but I'm 48 now and my mind is ramping up with the thought that I need to be on high alert!

Halfbaked · 06/06/2021 20:47

Regularly, but my mum has a history of breast cancer and so I got my first mammogram at 40. 7 months later I found a lump, assumed it would be a cyst but it was BC. We don't have breast cancer genes though.
My BC was aggressive and hadn't been on my mammogram, had I waited until my annual mammogram I doubt I'd still be here. Chemo, surgery and radiotherapy has left me with permanent health issues, but I'm alive.
I'm almost 4 years post treatment and wouldn't wish it on anyone. All it takes is a quick check, just so you know what's normal for you. 9 times out of 10 it's nothing, but extremely treatable if caught early.

WingingItSince1973 · 06/06/2021 20:50

Can I please just encourage those that don't check please just have a feel once a month at least in the shower with some shower cream. Use the flat of your hand and make sure you do armpits and above the breast area too. My friend never checked hers and she found a massive lump. She's fine now but went through chemo, radiotherapy, mastectomy and breast reconstruction. I'm not saying it's not her fault at all as we were all leading busy happy lives and early 40s at the time but it made more of my friends aware of checking regularly. I know of 4 friends who have gone through and successfully treated for breast cancer at different stages so it can be treated. Xxx

Ahnowcomon · 06/06/2021 20:54

I occasionally do. I have breastfed 3 children to the age of 2 and although of course it doesn't make a huge difference to my chance of getting breast cancer it prob is a bit preventative. At the same when I bf I got the odd lump which i got checked and it was nothing and also I have very lumpy breasts. Unfortunately I think I am one of the ppl which awareness of things have had the opposite affect, I have found lots of lumps over the years in random places and I suffer sometimes with severe anxiety. I would bet my life that the level of stress I have gone through over lumps and googling and investigating have shortened my life, I'm sure of it. I've lost weeks of sleep worrying about things that have turned out to be nothing. Now I live as healthy as possible (unfortunately 3 of my friends diagnosed with cancer have all been super health conscious so I also think it's shit luck) but I have to have a balance, if I went around my body and felt all over, looked in my mouth or other places I will 100 percent find lumps and then obsess over them. I watch out for any changes, any changes in how I feel, something that looks different but overall I have to live and can't constantly check myself as I know this would cause me to become v anxious and stressed and cause illness...

misssunshine4040 · 06/06/2021 20:55

Wishing all the ladies who have had treatment or getting treatment all the best a quick recovery.
To those posters who do not think checking for lumps is a good way to discover anything sinister or the screening program isn't working, could you explain why in further detail?
No judgment at all as everyone is entitled to do as they wish but I'm just curious

PhannyPharts · 06/06/2021 21:02

@KeepingTrack

Never because it’s not a reliable way to check ‘for cancer’ but. It’s an excellent way to make yourself ill with worry.
The lump I found very reliably told me I had cancer
PattyPan · 06/06/2021 21:03

Rarely although I did the other day. I figure DP would notice anything Blush

Pyewackect · 06/06/2021 21:04

@Sirzy

At least once a month, I do it when I’m in the shower it takes a few minutes at most
Me too.
dillydallydollydaydream7 · 06/06/2021 21:12

Every month on payday - I suffer badly with Heath anxiety and have been to the breast clinic three times. First time it was a fatty lump and nothing to worry about, second and third it was just normal tissue. Checking on payday is easy to remember and it's like being paid to do something that causes me anxiety!

Check regularly ladies and get to know how yours feel. I was so surprised how much lumpy tissue is normal

irey · 06/06/2021 21:20

@KeepingTrack .... oh dear , that is really such poor advice .... I do check , in the shower , every month or so & found a tiny pea sized lump about 18 months ago. Thankfully , early stage , so surgery & radiotherapy (hopefully) sorted it out ! Even if your breasts are lumpy , check often and then you will recognise something new. We all know that the sooner you find a lump , the better the prognosis

saveforthat · 06/06/2021 21:23

By the way I wonder if everyone is aware how hard you have to press when you check. A cyst was discovered on my mammogram a few years ago and I couldn't feel it until the nurse showed me. Before that my "checking " consisted of gentle little presses. I doubt if it's something your DH or partner would notice.

Sirzy · 06/06/2021 21:24

The on payday approach is a great way to remember

Leonardsgirl · 06/06/2021 21:32

I'm quite surprised at how many people on here don't check, or refuse to be screened.

I had a routine mammogram last year and was shocked to be recalled. I had a a biopsy, and thankfully all turned out fine in the end but for the few days I had to wait I was terrified. I was told I need to check regularly for changes and I do.

We should be proud of the breast screening programme in this country. I've had several friends diagnosed with early breast cancer who had no symptoms.

wobblywinelover · 06/06/2021 21:40

I check about once a month when i'm due my time of the month. They normally get a bit tender around this time which reminds me to give them a feel. If there's anything weird then I keep an eye on it and check in a week or so after my period in case it was a hormonal thing. I've had two cysts drained now and two mammograms. Cystic breasts are common in your mid forties. It's important to check. Just give them a good feel, you don't have to follow any diagrams or anything. Sometimes useful to do it in the bath when you're giving them a wash lol

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