Obsessed with checking breasts

[Namech4ng3]

Basically what the thread title says - I’m so anxious and worried around checking my breasts. I do it LITERALLY daily, sometimes multiple times a day. My left breast is very lumpy, feels totally different to the right one - had it checked, the consultant at the breast clinic said it was completely normal tissue and the ultrasound showed nothing.

And yet I CANNOT stop stressing recently. Lockdown has absolutely made my health anxiety come out of nowhere, I’m not even worried about Covid!!!! Just terrified of cancer. The consultant said that I would need to worry if I found a lump that felt different to the rest of the tissue - I have two small lumps which I can feel, but they feel the same as multiple different areas of the breast.

It’s just annoying that my left breast is full of ropey, grainy, lumpy, ridge-y tissue and I know it’s normal as it’s been scanned but it doesn’t half make me panic. I feel like I just want to get another scan but I have absolutely no reason to worry and waste NHS time.

Does anyone else feel like this? Or have felt like it in the past?

@Jomay71 i had searched this thread a long time ago and because you’ve messaged in it today it alerted my email (didn’t realise that happened), but I know exactly how you feel. As though your breasts are ticking time bombs. I would check mine honestly 200+ times a day, they would become bruised. I now check mine after every period once a month, no digging around and only using flat fingers together, I would 2nd guess constantly so I know exactly what you mean. I was told by a doctor that if something was a miss it would more than likely feel obvious. Things that helped me…know your thoughts aren’t facts, living with and becoming comfortable with uncertainty, forcing myself to think of something positive when triggered. If something felt different you wouldn’t be second guessing, you would know, especially if you’re as vigilant as I imagine you are. If it eases your mind get checked again

Thank you for your reply. My anxiety seems to have settled and I’m trying to put things in perspective. I’ve had mammogram and doctor check in the last 5 months. I will wait for the gp to contact me to discuss.

i totally understand but the fact you have had two checks so recently is great. The GP will probably send you to the clinic again as they can’t not if you have said you are worried. That will help you get some peace but the CBT is a great idea as it does really help. Sending you a big virtual hug and although easy to say, try not to worry you have literally been checked so recently so that’s so good xxx

Thank you for the reassurance. when I read the post from yesterday, I felt so anxious but now feeling a little better in view as of the recent checks I have already had.

Had a check up with the advanced nurse practitioner today who performed a full breast examination and felt no lumps. Feel so stupid but menopause can cause anxiety to spiral out of control. I’m waiting for an appointment with CBT therapist as they helped last time. Thank you all again for your support ❤️

I’m glad you had a check done and you feel better. I’m in perimenopause and I definitely think my anxiety is worse now as well. Good luck with the cbt xxx

I’m posting because my health anxiety has been terrible.
I have a terrible fear of breast cancer!
ehich in turn I’m constantly checking my breast’s for lumps, (up to 10 maybe 20 times a day).
does anyone else suffer with this same issue??
really need to chat. 😢

I just read your post. I’m suffering the same issue. My health anxiety has gotten really bad.
I’m constantly checking my breasts daily sometimes 10-100 times a day.
I feel like I need that constant reassurance from my GP .
really need to chat to someone.

Hi, I know exactly how you feel. It's so hard to resist the urge to check but that is the best advice to give to. Try to keep yourself busy. I go through stages. How old are you?

I know it's a zombie thread but can I offer perspective from someone who has had breast cancer.
I set a reminder on the first of the month and do a check then, throughly feel all breast tissue, armpits and collar bone. This routine was approved by my breast surgeon as the best method. It avoids obsession, avoids confusion with temporay lumps and bumps.
If you are pre-menopausal it's normal for breasts to feel different throughout the month so pick a day every 4 weeks that coincides with the end of a period.
Other than that forget about them but go to your mammogram if invited.

KPA22, I’m 43 and I’ve had health anxiety for about 10 years now.
Its just terrible, sometimes I feel a lump then half hour later I’ll check again and it’s not there or it’s hard to find. It’s driving me crazy.

I have been to my GP she said everything I was feeling was normal breast tissue.
I was ok for a couple of days, then it got bad again.
I check my breasts constantly, when I’m standing, laying down even on all fours. There are lumps that I feel on all fours that feel different to when I’m laying down. It’s overtaking my life. 😢

Hi, I’m just wanting to know if there are any groups that I could join that discuss issues regarding health anxiety.