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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:
Wond3rment · 07/06/2021 08:58

Probably not as regularly as I should. I did find 2 lumps during Lockdown #1. Waited about 10 day, checking each day, before ringing the GP.

Was referred to the Breast Clinic after an examination. Thankfully it was 2 large cysts that were simply drained. That same week my BF’s sister was diagnosed in the same Breast Clinic with Breast Cancer, her treatment is ongoing.

Hax · 07/06/2021 10:47

I’ve seen what cancer treatment can do to a person even if they survive. For me, dying early but on my own terms, having enjoyed my life without extra fear and ill health - is much more preferable.

Breast cancer is not a death sentence. The vast majority recover completely.

For some it's simply surgery.
Others have radiotherapy as well.
Many have chemotherapy which is no picnic.
However if caught early all treatment can be over and done with in less than a year. The most difficult part is chemo but even that is a matter of a few months.

Cancer caught late is different. People die of cancer but still get treatment, this is gruelling to watch.

there is zero history of breast cancer in my family
There are actually many different kinds of breast cancer. Genetic disposition is only responsible for a tiny, tiny fraction of breast cancers.

The number one risk factor for breast cancer is being female. Although men do get it.

The second highest risk factor is age.
After that there are several others but those first two are miles ahead of the rest.

A personal history of breast conditions. 
A personal history of breast cancer. 
A family history of breast cancer. 
Inherited genes that increase cancer risk. 
Radiation exposure. If you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child or young adult, your risk of breast cancer is increased.
Obesity. Being obese increases your risk of breast cancer.
Beginning your period at a younger age.
Beginning menopause at an older age.
Having your first child at an older age. Women who give birth to their first child after age 30 may have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Having never been pregnant.

HRT. The risk of breast cancer decreases when women stop taking these medications.
Drinking alcohol.

cookiecreampie · 07/06/2021 11:03

I don't really. I have cyclical breast pain and thought I felt a lump, was referred to the breast clinic and was told my lump had gone and the pain was mastalgia. I still have a quick feel now and again but I don't thoroughly check.

Lurkeycakewoman · 07/06/2021 11:10

Before last year every few months maybe but now monthly its not just lumps its any changes at all you need to check for Google check your lemons!
My nipple inverted last year no lumps or bumps it just didn't feel right after a couple of weeks I thought I'd better get that checked after a referral from my gp I found myself 3 days later in the breast clinic having biopsies mammograms and scans Confused I had breast cancer! more than a year on I've been through surgery 6 chemos 23 radiotherapies and a global pandemic to top it off. Check your boobs it could be the most important thing you do today. Also there's no history of breast cancer in my family and I was only 38

LateAtTate · 07/06/2021 11:50

I’d check but I wouldn’t remember what they feel like anyway../my sense of touch is shit

FlyNow · 07/06/2021 11:53

I never do it, I don't think doing a specific self examination is going to find anything that you wouldn't notice anyway living your normal life (washing, dressing, etc).

I've read that studies have shown that self examination hasn't been shown to increase life span of women, and organisations are moving away from recommending SBE and instead promoting the idea of being "breast aware".

CounsellorTroi · 07/06/2021 12:11

I check them visually a lot, make sure they are symmetrical, rise symmetrically when I lift my arms. Check for lumps less often but regularly.

LemonSherbetFancies · 07/06/2021 12:14

Know someone who is 34 and just been diagnosed with BC. Sad

AtoZed · 07/06/2021 12:19

After umpteen lump biopsies and minor breast surgery last year which thankfully came back negative for bc I now check every month. I'm now on a yearly mammogram so they can keep an eye on the lumps identified.

waterlego · 07/06/2021 12:27

I try to check once a month- around the same time in my cycle. I set a reminder in my phone but sometimes ignore it. Thanks to your thread, I have just been prompted to have an overdue feel. Thank you! 💐

I also try to look at them regularly in the mirror as I’m aware that there isn’t always an obvious lump and sometimes other changes will be noticed first- skin texture, irregularities etc

Magicpaintbrush · 07/06/2021 12:31

I check about once every three months.

I had to have a biopsy about 8 years ago for a lump, turned out to be harmless, but it's sensible to check regularly as you get to know what feels normal for you and will notice if ever something feels amiss.

MinnieMountain · 07/06/2021 12:34

Breast aware just means don’t rely on SBE but use other ways as well to know what is normal for you.

I certainly wouldn’t have found my lump without SBE. Other posters have also said that.

Elphame · 07/06/2021 13:01

When I did I only made myself sick with worry so now I don't.

I have had other indicators of breast cancer but all have turned out to be benign.

lljkk · 07/06/2021 19:28

The only breast lump I've ever had made itself known because of sharp unexplained ache. I had to hunt to find it -- i had reason to think I'd find something due to the pain.

Spoiler: it soon went away by itself after diagnosed as "not malignant".

Gwenhwyfar · 07/06/2021 19:31

Never. I thought advice had changed to just being 'breast aware' so I thought that meant just paying attention if I felt something while washing.

Screenburn · 07/06/2021 22:13

I’ve no idea how to do it if I’m honest, which is really bad as given my family history, it’s almost certain I’ll get it (and relatively young, too).

I’ve tried to do the flat palm thing but I can’t really feel anything at all doing that as I have v large breasts. Is there another way?

ZaraW · 08/06/2021 08:48

I'm amazed so many people don't check especially as so much information is out there. It saved my life. I know someone who put off going to the doctors after finding a lump and by the time she did it was too late her cancer had spread.

mybrainhertz · 08/06/2021 09:41

I don't have the mental energy left for yet another thing to worry about.

Animum2 · 08/06/2021 09:41

I check at least once a month and that's only because I get spots on them when I have my period

Good sporning! Smile

GladAllOver · 08/06/2021 10:02

My breasts change quite a lot throughout the month so I always check at the same time. It doesn't take long in the shower so I don't understand why all women don't do it as a routine.

(Actually my DH pays so much attention to them that I think he'd notice a lump before me :) )

Elphame · 08/06/2021 10:18

@GladAllOver

My breasts change quite a lot throughout the month so I always check at the same time. It doesn't take long in the shower so I don't understand why all women don't do it as a routine.

(Actually my DH pays so much attention to them that I think he'd notice a lump before me :) )

Perhaps because we don’t want to? It is every woman’s personal choice.

Even the screening invites now warn that screening can lead to unnecessary intervention and to think before blindly accepting.

I’ve already had more mammograms than I’m happy with and painful and ultimately pointless treatments that did more harm than good. This culminated in fairly major surgery last year that probably wouldn’t have been necessary if things had been left alone.

Justcallmebebes · 08/06/2021 10:28

Regularly and I attend mammograms. The earlier cancer is found the easier it is to treat

Hax · 08/06/2021 10:30

@mybrainhertz

I don't have the mental energy left for yet another thing to worry about.
No need to worry. I have had breast cancer and I don't "worry" about it. I just set a reminder for the 1st of every month and then forget about it in between.

Here is what to do for those who say they don't know.

Should be taught in schools. We should teach our daughters.
My sons know to check their testicles regulary.

Cushionsnotpillows · 08/06/2021 11:36

I have a lovely friend who has had BC treatment who posts a monthly reminder on FB to do your check. I usually remember but it's been the nudge I've needed more than once as it's so easy to let time slide by.

Sexnotgender · 08/06/2021 12:43

@Cushionsnotpillows

I have a lovely friend who has had BC treatment who posts a monthly reminder on FB to do your check. I usually remember but it's been the nudge I've needed more than once as it's so easy to let time slide by.
That’s why I do it on the first of the month, otherwise time gets away from you!