I’ve recently found a hard lump in my right breast. I have a family history of breast and ovarian cancer, so very worried. Performed a full self-exam after but didn’t find any additional lumps. I’m going in to see an oncologist in early July (because of the Covid situation, no one is available immediately).
I’ve read so many articles online that say self-exams aren’t conclusive or useful and even the ACS doesn’t recommend it. So I’m wondering if my own examination is any good?
Have any of you found your cancers through self-exams? Do your doctors recommend that you perform them regularly? Are there any apps I could use to get a tutorial and record results? I would like to do this more regularly and tell my friends to check themselves as well!
Hi, I’m very new into this journey so can’t give you much advice. I found my lump purely by accident on a Saturday and went straight to the gp to get it checked. A week and a half later I was told I had breast cancer. Always self exam your breast either Google it or go to your gp to see if they can advise you on how to check your breast xx I hope all goes well with your appointment xx
Hi RemEdo, welcome to the forum but sorry you find yourself here. My personal view is that it’s best to self examine as no one knows your breast tissue better than you do so changes are likely to be noticed by you first. The breast exam is to decide whether to pursue further investigation or not and after that it’s up to your GP whether to refer you on to specialists. The decision on whether a lump is cancer or not is usually concluded from the biopsy. Scans alone usually prompt further tests but aren’t generally conclusive.
If you want to discuss further drop a note with the nurses on this thread:
I found my tumour myself, GP referral to breast clinic, nothing on their mammogram but ultrasound revealed two small grade 3 tumours, now removed through lumpectomy and flap reconstruction. Spread to 1 sentinel node so axillary clearance, which revealed 1/20 lymph nodes affected. All dealt with very fast by my local NHS, now awaiting radiotherapy and taking hormone therapy. Participated in Optima clinical trial which assessed me as not likely to benefit from chemo.
None of this would have happened if I hadn’t found the tumour, (the ultrasound found the second one) which are known as being mammographically occult ie not showing on mammogram. I encourage everyone to be breast aware now.