Silly question re self examination

Public Archive
1

Hi Ladies,

This is probably a silly question but should you still self-examine after a mx and LD recon? There is no breast tissue there so I am thinking there is no need to self examine that side anymore (and still feel uck about touching it in any depth) but am wondering if I am fooling myself and should still check?

Any advice, x

2

Hi ostrich

Often with this sort of enquiry it may be beneficial to contact our Ask the Nurse email service or phone the helpline. Our experts working in these services should be able to provide you with the information you are looking for.

You can contact the free helpline by phoning 0808 800 6000. This is open Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm and Saturday, 9am - 2pm.

If you would prefer to correspond by email you can contact our Ask the Nurse email service by going to:

breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=119
on the site.

Hope you find these services of help.

Kind regards.

Sam
BCC Facilitator

3

Hi Ostrich

I haven t had either a mx or recon but I would definitely think it would be worth keeping up self examination so if there is something abnormal happening, you can spot it early on. Would your BC nurse show you what you should be looking for?

Cathy

4

Hi Ostrich

Yes, yes, yes… I too thought the same as you, to my detrament. Although it is rare you can get a recurrence in the skin of the reconstruction. It can present itself as raised nodules (usually near the original site or on/near scar lines) or a red rash, a raised bruise and skin thickening. It is however common for scar tissue to present in the same way so don’t panic too much if you do see any changes…just get it looked at!

Nikki x

5

Thanks, will keep looking and maybe once I get brave enough I will examine with my fingers rather than eyes! I completely forgot to ask the BCN yesterday so will make a note to speak to her about it next week when I next see her, x