Found a lump and wondering, by what % does breastfeeding for two years lower the risk of getting breast cancer? ANy statistics? or is it just a vague, oh it lowers it a bit we think.

[worried40]

By how much does breastfeeding lower your chances of getting breast cancer. Is it just a little bit, say 4%, or is it really significant, does it say, halve your chances of getting breast cancer.? I have been googling but can't find the answer.

I am waiting for a needle biobsy. I'm not just trying to talk myself out of believing it's cancer. It probably isn't I know that. four out of five times it's not. BUT, over the christmas period I am trying not to worry.

4.3% for every year and 7% for each child.

Good luck, try not to worry, it will probably be fine. x

Linker here STUDY

Linker? Sorry, link! doh!

Can you help me calculate this?? am i thick!? I can't make sense of that. I breastfed dc1 for 9 months and dc2 for 8 months. That's it, only have two children.

so is that 4.3% divided by 12 multiplied by 8, then doubled? or is my risk lowered by 14% because I have two children??

Thanks very much for your reply.

oh thanks LilyBolero. Will have a look at the study now.

Ok, I think it would be 17months worth of the 4.3 figure, which is about 6%, plus 14% from the 2 children, so you have reduced your risk by 20%.

Stats can't really tell you whether or not you have something or not, but the odds are in your favour!

great. I know I sound mad, because I either have it or I don't and calculating this won't change anything, but it'll make me relax and forget about it over christmas. I'm booked in for needle biopsy, so there's no poinnt worrying either way, so I might as well give myself permission (backed up by statistics) not to worry.

Thanks again.

Statistics aren't really that relevant to an individual case. An illness can be incredibly rare, but if you have it you have it.

But try not to worry, because there are many other things a breast lump can be apart from cancer.

try not to worry, it is unlikely to be anything sinister but agree with singingcat. If you need any handholding do come over to the tamoxifen thread...meanwhile,relax and enjoy festivities

Thanks MaryAnn.

This is a very practical question, but for the needle biopsies, will I be able to leave on my jeans and knickers etc, or will it be the whole, strip off, put on this paper gown scenario. I hate that. I will get my legs waxed, and the waxer will say 'are you going on holiday?' and I'll think, no I'm having two needle biopsies.

no, you'll only need to take your top half off- they may or may not have a robe/gown for you to put on - in all my experiences of breast clinic I've had to cover myself with scraps of paper!

worried40 - have you had a mammogram then? Good Luck with the biopsy. As MAS says, it's just a top half job conducted in an ultrasound room (so the lights are dimmed). It's not the most fun procedure in the world but they do numb the area very well so it doesn't hurt.

Will watch to see how you get on, please keep us updated.

Thanks both of you. I feel like I have undetonated bombs in my breast. Weird feeling. Wish I could just go and do it tomorrow. The delay (only caused by going to the doctors the friday before christmas) is so frustrating. Why did I not go to the doctor sooner?

The gp said I would probably have an ultrasound. (I presume because mammograms are to find a lump, and I can feel the lumps).

The gp was very nice and said to ring her, so on Wednesday, I'm going to ring her and ask her to ring the hospital and make sure tehy DO call me in soon. She said it should be soon. But a phone call can't hurt.

indeed-a phone call can't hurt at all. The ultrasound is just better at seeing things especially in younger women's breasts and is used as a guide for biopsying the precise bit. It's horrid waiting I know- hope it hasn't ruined Christmas jollity for you. Take care and do hang on in the tamoxifen thread for hand holding & comfort