Scared to check breasts

[lollipoprainbow]

I know I sound so feeble but in the light of the dreadful news about Sarah Harding I know I should check my breasts more regularly. The trouble is I suffer from awful health anxiety and I'm scared to in case I find anything. I'm a single mum and I know I need to be more responsible.

I don't check mine. Way too lumpy. I get the GP to check them every few years, so maybe twice in 12 years?

And GP agreed he couldn't tell either, so referred me. All good.

Calling yourself names and beating yourself up isn't going to make you feel less anxious.

Most women survive breast cancer now.

The purpose of checking them is to familiarise yourself with what is normal with your breasts. That way you can notice subtle changes and catch anything a lot sooner than any other examiner. Especially if below mammogram age.

I check mine in the shower when washing. Start with just taking a bit longer to wash there, and gradually work up to checking them thoroughly.

The problem is - not checking doesn't mean it won't be there, it just means that by the time you develop noticeable symptoms it might be too late.

Please check, and seek help for your anxiety if you haven't already.

I was having pain in my left breast for a few weeks after getting the coil and now I have a lump there and I'm honestly terrified. I can't make a GP appointment until Tuesday and my anxiety is playing up horrifically but it's better I know about it than not.

Seriously, this stuff is scary but it's so important to be familiar with your own body so that you can notice changes
At the end of 2019 I noticed a mole on my arm looked different. After it continued to change over a few weeks, I had it removed and it was skin cancer.
Thankfully, because I found it so soon, all they did was remove some more tissue and no more treatment was needed.

I can completely relate to your post op.

I have an 8 month DS and have been checking my boobs regularly and getting to know them in their new post partum state, and I recently found a couple of lumps a few weeks ago. Contacted my Dr and was referred under the standard 2 week wait window. I've got my appt at the breast clinic tomorrow, only 6 days after contacting my gp in the first instance.

It has been an anxious Time despite the speedy referral and appt (diagnosed previously with generalised anxiety disorder also), and I probably won't get much in the way of answers tomorrow still, but I feel better knowing its all in motion and I'm doing everything I can do at this point. It really is best to check and sort it sooner than later if you do find anything.

It is scary, but so necessary.