I just saw on the tv, an advert by Lloyds Pharmacy, showing a gel glove, that helps your breast examination, it says…
Improves sensitivity in your fingures, self examination glove, with DVD.£4.99
Anyone tried it yet?
xx
Hi Puppy, i thought i had found another lump in the good boob, got told off for going anywhere near it, i have been told not to self examine myself anymore, but to be aware of changes to the breast, i asked about this glove, and they said no, no, no, so am taking their advice, they will examine me when they need to and i have to say, its a relief cos i know its only by pure luck if you find these damn lumps!!!
Alisonxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi alison,
I havent used, it, because I am not sure how to examine my boobs now since I have double mastectomy, but I have had 2 further lumps since I have had the mastectomy, I have been told it is rare to get lumps after mastectomy, but can happen, so I have been told to still check myself since I keep getting these lumps, it is difficult to feel for lumps when you have just your ribs there…!
My sister has got 4 breast lumps now, and my other sister has found 1, so they are going to keep checking themselves, they havent heard of this glove so they are going to check it out with their gp first…
I thought it would help women who arent checking themselves, to start to do so, and if the glove helps them then they should use it…
Although I would like to have some feedback first before I would use it, from the women that have tried it and not the shop assistant !!
xxxxxxxxxxx
hi puppydog, re the glove i think the only drawback with this method that not all cancers are actually found as lumps, my own experience was the definate change in the shape of my breast and nipple, the lump was found after a scan, so dont really know if this method would be useful, still if it helps som e people take extra care of their breasts all well and good. lynn x
Hello,
You may find it interesting to know that there is no clinical research evidence to suggest that these gloves are any more helpful than the normal practice of being breast aware. Being breast aware means knowing what your breasts normally look and feel like, and reporting any changes that occur to your GP without delay.
Some women tell us they choose to feel their breasts in the bath or shower or when applying body lotion as it helps their hands slide more smoothly over their skin. I have included a link to the Breast Awareness section of our website if you would like to read more:
www.breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=101
Alternatively please do call our freephone helpline on 0808 800 6000, or email our Ask the Nurse Service if you have a specific breast concern at; www.breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=119
Best wishes
Tara
Clinical Nurse Specialist New- Media
I think that these gloves are good if it encourages women to check or maybe previously didn;t. It may be a gadget but in the long run if more people are checking then its worth it.
I have been very suprised since my dx in May by the amount of people who said, oh aren’t you good checking your breasts, i never check mine!!! I now make sure i tell as many ladies as possible that they should be checking regulary.
Gaynor p
As my 2 cm invasive ductal tumour was non palpable, either by me or my GP, I fail to see how a gel glove could help. It was found at the normal 3 yrly mammo, and came as quite a shock.
I think you need to be aware of any changes in your breasts. I found a lump nearly 5 years ago, it was a cyst, the scan showed this, so when the could not asspirate? this I went to get the “cyst” removed, 4 months after my first appointment, there was a tumour behind this, it didn’t show up on the scan. I’ve seen these glove things and wondered about them but thought that if I could not feel the difference in my boobs without them how are they going to make any difference?
I haven’t bought the glove simply because since dx in jan 04 i’ve examined myself with my bare hands/fingers and i know how my breasts feel.
However a lady in front of me in the chemist the other day who was buying one said ‘’ at least it will remind me to do it’’ !!
karen x
I had been examining myself regularly for 20 years - I used to work for a foreign bank in London where they sent us for well woman screening every year and we were taught how to do it properly by the company doctor. I was therefore very surprised when I found my lump last year and I was diagnosed as having a benign fibroid, everything came back clear. Like the earlier poster, the tumour was under the lump, it was found whilst I was a day patient for a WLE. The surgeon had to tell me when I went for the check up with him the following week.When I found the lump I had just finished a period, but had no pain, discomfort or anything like a change in shape, skin puckering or any of the other things they teach you to look for. It seemed it had just “appeared”. For those reasons I was not unduly worried when I attended the mammaogram and then had to have the biopsy. I think it must have been awful for my surgeon as the day he told me it was a benign fibroid he said “you’ll be pleased to know it’s good news”. He did tell me later that these things do happen from time to time. My breast nurse also told me he was very shocked when he was operating as he had assured me 3 weeks before that everything was OK. He is very straight to the point (as I am) and I was glad he looked at me and gave it to me straight. Somehow that made it less shocking.
This glove wouldn’t have helped me, but I’m all for anything that makes women more aware. I have met so may women since last year who have told me they don’t examine themselves and I find I find I end up telling them why they should.
How is putting a layer of gel between your hand and your breast going to help you examine yourself or find a lump??? Surely it is going to make it more difficult because you effectively have a barrier between the 2? Sounds like an easy way to get £4.99 out of people. I saw an advert in a mag for this thing, that said it’s like a “magnifying glass” for your fingers. How misleading is that??? I’ve also read a review in a BCC publication that said there is no evidence it improves the quality of regular checks or your chances of detecting anything. It sounds like a gimmick to me and a dishonest, deceitful one at that.
Geraldine
Hello
My situation was the same as nirhikei’s.
I had a benign cyst which I had removed - and lurking underneath was the cancer. I am so glad I found the cyst and had it removed.
I haven’t tried this glove yet but when I can get one I will give it a whirl!
Christiane x