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Original poster

CHECK YOUR BREASTS!!!

739 replies

FiveSoloRings · 20/12/2009 13:37

I got news this morning that one of my friends died yesterday. She was in her very early 30's, two young children and everything to live for. Despite a mastectomy a couple of years ago, the cancer spread and she is gone. I can't tell you how dreadful I feel.

It is so important that we check our breasts regularly. It takes a few minutes and could save your life.
One of my best friends had a message just like this one, but it was face to face and by her boyfriends exgf who also had just had a mastectomy because of breast cancer. This message from such an unlikely messenger almost certainly saved my best friends life.

Pass the message on please ladies. Make sure your friends and family are nudged into remembering to check.

OP posts:
Original poster
FiveSoloRings · 23/12/2009 22:51

I'm going to bug you all by bumping this several times a day!

OP posts:
MaryAnnSingleton · 23/12/2009 23:01

I'll help you !

LittleMontyontheDustyRoad · 23/12/2009 23:06

Sorry for your loss Five.

My friend has had a masectomy a year ago and now cells are back but they are localised. I dread to think what this really means. She's getting some rough treatment.

MaryAnnSingleton · 24/12/2009 08:11

LittleMonty - am sorry to hear about your friend - I'm afraid that breast cancer can come back - unfortunately although people would like to believe that you are 'clear' after treatment there is always the prospect of recurrence.

MaryAnnSingleton · 24/12/2009 08:17

sorry-that sounded a gloomy thing to post - I looked up localised and it sounds as though it's not a recurrance but 'left overs' from the original tumour that haven't been zapped.

purepurple · 24/12/2009 08:23

Sorry about your friend, Five.
I have had an emotional time this year, after finding a small lump.
I had a needle test and a mammogram and the result was benign.
The GP said I had done exactly the right thing.
I dispute the article you linked, AvriH, biopsies are not done without good reason.
I would rather the biopsy came back negative, than die of a cancer that could have been prevented.
That article was not helpful in the least, AvrilH, and may put some women off checking their breasts.
My advice would be to get any lump checked out, however small or insignificant it may seem.
Early treatment is key.

TheOldestCat · 24/12/2009 08:28

So sorry for the loss of your friend, Five.

Bumpity bump to this thread - check those breasts, ladies. Get used to their usual state!

Mind you, am pregnant so mine are in a state of change....

StewieGriffinsMom · 24/12/2009 08:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LittleMontyontheDustyRoad · 24/12/2009 11:31

MAS - thanks for your thoughts, when my friend tells me stuff I kind of freeze and don't take in what she's saying. She has 4 dcs.

I'm going to phone her now actually.

Original poster
FiveSoloRings · 24/12/2009 22:39

Thank you ladies and I'm sorry for any of you who are or have been through this scary disease or know someone who is or has.
My Dd's paternal GM had bc and survived, but went on to have throat cancer...she finally gave up smoking and then got lung cancer...she passed away in May ~ I liked her and I miss her. I lost my Dad 3 months later to the same thing.

I saw my Bf today for a cuppa after her radiotherapy. She looks well today. I'm praying hard.

Heard from another friend that I've had since we were 6. Skin cancer. I honestly feel like cancer is chasing my tail.

This is another reason I am trying to spread this word. I can't bear to lose anyone else ~ even if I've never met them in Rl. Check regularly.

Merry Christmas.x

OP posts:
teatotal · 26/12/2009 17:44

I am sorry to learn about your friend, I lost my friend too, she only had a pimple, read think before your pink on google, it is very interesting.

Original poster
FiveSoloRings · 26/12/2009 17:56

Thanks teatotal ~ sorry for you too...will have a look at that thanks.

OP posts:
echt · 27/12/2009 02:32

Purepurple - the article cited by AvrilH was only stating the results of research, so how could it be unhelpful?

If, as is the case, the survival rate from cancers found by self-checking is no different from those found by casual discoveries, e,g. during, sex, bathing, etc. then why should women not know this research exists? Surely any increase in knowledge must be better than ignorance?

Original poster
FiveSoloRings · 27/12/2009 13:41

I tend to agree that knowledge is important, but I also think that it could also have a shrug off effect, meaning that some women may just shrug and leave to chance instead of checking themselves.

OP posts:
Pogleswood · 27/12/2009 20:38

The only part of this article that suggests self checking has no benefits as far as I can see seems to be the reference to women in China - the other parts are comparing more detailed to less detailed examination,aren't they?? (or are they - it's not clear,IMO)
And the main downside quoted seems to be more biopsies and anxiety - which doesn't quite equate to "more harm than good" in my book.
As a someone with BC,found early as a result of self checking,I am pro it - but I would be,wouldn't I? (and actually I am a classic example of someone who was the "worried well" in the past,having been checked before more than once for benign problems,so in my case checking did lead to more tests and worry,but also to something being picked up which would otherwise have been missed.)

MaryAnnSingleton · 27/12/2009 20:52

Will be interesting to see how the Coronation St breast cancer storyline pans out - Sally finds her lump in the shower..there's a thread ..

MaryAnnSingleton · 27/12/2009 20:53

here

ButterPie · 27/12/2009 21:14

Am I right in thinking there is no point checking if you are breastfeeding due to boobs being lumpy anyway then?

Original poster
FiveSoloRings · 28/12/2009 13:44

I don't know the answer to that ButterPie. I'm still bfing my 3yo and have been checking myself in recent times for obvious reasons, but I'm one of those that didn't check more than once a 'when I thought of it' ~ which probably equated to a dozen times during my entire adult life . Not good at all...

There must be some information on bfing and self checking somewhere...

Pogleswood, thank you for your input and very glad to see you iykwim.

OP posts:
sazlocks · 28/12/2009 15:38

bump

purplepeony · 28/12/2009 18:51

Ladies- as well as checking your breasts, how about making sure you do all you can to reduce your chances of cancer?

Studes show that taking moderate to vigorous exercise for 4 hours a week can cut your risk of developing it by about 34% and dying from it by 44%.

Original poster
FiveSoloRings · 28/12/2009 18:56

but I do intend to get fitter next year

OP posts:
purplepeony · 28/12/2009 19:14

five rings- that could be 30 minutes brisk walking 7 days a week and 30 minutes mad housework- yes ladies- housework was mentioned as one of those things that helps. Research must have been done by a man.

Original poster
FiveSoloRings · 28/12/2009 19:27

Sadly, I have ME and where I used to work out between 4.5 and 6 hours a week, I can't do it any more, much as I'd love to and housework?!!! hahahaha!!!
I promise I'm going to get fitter though, but it wont be very brisk.

OP posts:
Original poster
FiveSoloRings · 29/12/2009 17:06

bump

OP posts:
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