checking for breast cancer

For more information about: checking for breast cancer visit the Breast Cancer site CheckTheBreast.com today.

Q: Question about breast cancer, and checking for it?
Hello, I am 19 going on 20 in 2 months. I’ve noticed recently my breats have been sore when I grab on them. Mostly now that i scared myself I use my index finger and thumb and spread them out and smash them and feel little ducts and glands and its painful when pushed on. Is that normal? I dont have insurance for a breast exam yet for another 6 months, I just wnat to know whats normal in a breast, its not like i’ve ever felt anybodys besides my own. Do boobs have glands in them that you can feel?? is that normal? Please explain to me. THanks

A: You should be doing a monthly self breast exam. You don’t need to pay a doc to do your breast exam for you. This is something you need to do every month.

Q: Senior Citizen poll: How commonly are men or their significant others, checking themselves for breast cancer?
“Most cases of male breast cancer are detected in men between the ages of 60 and 70, although the condition can develop in men of any age.”
http://www.medicinenet.com/male_breast_cancer/article.htm#tocc
I knew that the talk show host, Montel Williams is a breast cancer survivor.
I read a recent news article that a Dallas, Tx. doctor noticed a small bump below his chest nipple. He was familiar with the disease & had it diagnosed immediately.
He did not keep this information private.
He shared this important news with his neighbors.
The word got passed down his block.
Another neighbor who knew about this, had been bending down when his chest knock against his table & the pain was more profound than normal.
He decided he would have his breast tissue checked.
He, too, had breast cancer. Now the two strangers on the same block are a “male breast cancer” support system for each other.
I found this oddly coincidental & wondered if this was on the rise. As when women began to reach male numbers with lung cancer.
I found out that men, unaware that this can happen, have a higher death rate of 25% than females.
When we rub our men’s chests, we need to add that extra “touch” of love.
Correction: Motel was 19 y.o. in the navy when doctors found lump in chest. He had a double mastectomy & later found out lump was benign.

The doctor from article was in 60s but his neighbor was in 40s.

A: I do not know anyone who does that come to think of it. Not me, I am not as old as that but thanks for making me aware of it.

Q: Is it immoral for my father to give me a breast exam if he has a medical background?
I don’t like the idea of a doctor I barely know to handle what I call my “secrets”. I’m 20, my husband said he didn’t care. I don’t trust myself to give a good self-exam either b/c I don’t know much about checking for breast cancer. Its okay with me because I love my dad and one of the few men I trust, he is a good guy, I just want to know what the Bible says. I have not mentioned this to him.

A: In my opinion yes.
Go to www.cancer.org and learn to do your own exam.
Or you can call 1-800-ACS-2345.

Do it Now!

Q: im woried about breast cancer.?
I dont have anyone to ask about this. My mum died when i was little, and it’ll be embarrasing having to talk to my dad about it. Im 13 and i havnt started my period, but ive started pubety. My boobs have started growing and ive been checking for breast cancer (i’m really worried since Jade Goody died) and scince they have been growing ive noticed that there are big circle lumps underneath, they are flat and hard. Please tell me what they are, im really worried

A: Oh. Please do not worry dear. You have nothing to worry. It is all due to your coming up age and it is quite normal for all women. Jade Goody’s case is different and you need not think of that.

You should know fully about puberty and the changes happending in Grils body when attaining this.

Puberty is that stage when your body transforms itself to that of an adult. As puberty sets in, a series of changes occur in the body. In girls, the onset of puberty is characterised by developed breasts and growth in pubic hair. A girl gets her periods after she attains puberty. There will be slight changes on all body parts.

The changes associated with puberty are caused by sex hormones. As they reach the teenage years, boys produce more testosterone and girls produce more oestrogen. Boys usually attain puberty between nine and fifteen years, whereas girls attain puberty between seven and thirteen years.

These changes are quite common and you need not worry now. Please wait for some more period and then talk to any elderly lady related to you or known to you and if necessary to your father (there is nothing wrong in talking to your father in this connection) and see a doctor IF AT ALL NEEDED afterwords.

In the meantime I would also like you to know the symtoms of Breast cancer and you can do the self examination of your breasts.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer may help save your life. When the disease is discovered early, you have more treatment options and a better chance for a cure.

Most breast lumps aren’t cancerous. Yet the most common sign of breast cancer for both men and women is a lump or thickening in the breast. Often, the lump is painless. Other potential signs of breast cancer include:

A spontaneous clear or bloody discharge from your nipple, often associated with a breast lump
Retraction or indentation of your nipple
A change in the size or contours of your breast
Any flattening or indentation of the skin over your breast
Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
A number of conditions other than breast cancer can cause your breasts to change in size or feel. Breast tissue changes naturally during pregnancy and your menstrual cycle. Other possible causes of noncancerous (benign) breast changes include fibrocystic changes, cysts, fibroadenomas, infection or injury.

If you find a lump or other change in your breast — even if a recent mammogram was normal — see your doctor for evaluation. If you haven’t yet gone through menopause, you may want to wait through one menstrual cycle before seeing your doctor. If the change hasn’t gone away after a month, have it evaluated promptly.-

Q: Question about breast cancer?
my momdies of breast caner when she was 39 going on 40.So now iam 27 years old.What age should i be checked for breast cancer?and if my mom had breast cancer does that mean i am going to get it?

A: Im not a doctor but my mom had breast cancer twice.. when she was 29.. she’s still alive, thank GOD.. but her doctor told me to start when im 25… though she took hormones and stuff to get pregnant.. and its not in my genes.. thats another thing. You can get tested for that gene or whatever.. my mom got tested and turns out it wasnt in her genes so my risk isnt as high as we all believed.. your risk depends on why ur mom got it.. like was it in her genes? is there a family history of breast cancer? or was it different?
You should get tested.. im not 100% sure that they can test you but i think they can.. and that should tell u if your risk is higher.. other than that, just because she had it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to get it.. make sure you’re on a healthy diet, exercise.. stay fit. Her doctor told me to make sure that i dont let myself gain weight because that increases risk..

good luck =]

Q: should I get this checked out? (breast cancer)?
about 4 or 5 months ago, i developed what i assumed was sort of like a zit on the top right (sort of armpit area ) of my right breast. it hasn’t gone away and it has gotten a bit bigger since the beginning. it’s now about the size of a lemon seed. it feels solid inside, and as if it is just under the skin but connected deeply. I have actually (stupid, i know..) poked a small needle into it but nothing comes out. it is very tender and raised….and the skin around it sort of looks like the skin of an orange if that makes any sense?? I get deep stinging pain in my nipple at times too. Does this sound like breast cancer? I’m 28 years old,and my grandmother had a fullmastectomyy because of breast cancer. also, i breastfed my children (youngest one is 2…stopped BF her when she was about 6 months due to medication i had to take for my hypothyroidism) but i still have sort of like clear milky stuff that comes from my breast (just the right one) now and then. the other breast iscompletely fine…no leaking or anything. WHAT DO I DO???

A: Whatever it is, it is not normal and should be evaluated by a physician.

There are many possible explanations for your symptom and cancer is nowhere near the top of the list. However, the chance of cancer is not zero either. Any long term tissue irregularity should be medically checked.

See a doctor and try not to lance it with any more needles. Good luck.

Q: I need to help with . . breast cancer :S !!?
At 15 years old should i go abd get checked for breast cancer ?

I know tht if you find a lump you should deffinetly go but is there any other signs like pains ?

thanks guys x

A: At 15 your chances of having breast cancer are just about zero.

Most people (80%) diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50; only 5% are under 40, fewer than 0.1% are under 30 and it’s almost unheard of in under 25s.

The American Cancer Society and other cancer organisations recommend that women begin breast self-examination at the age of 20.

Routine screening begins at 40 in the US and 50 in the UK.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I was classed as young; I was 50.

Most breast lumps, even in women over 50, aren’t cancerous.

Your breasts are still growing and developing and any changes, including lumps, are almost certainly hormonal.

If you’re concerned about a lump talk to your mother or your school nurse, who will be able to reassure you.

Q: Women & Checking Breasts?
I have always had tender breasts but since sunday night my right breast has been extreamly painfull mostly underneath and to the right had side.
I haven’t had a period for 16 months or more due to been on the depo injection for so long (3 years+) and i figured they’d both be sore if it was down to that.
I tried checking them, but i’m unsure of what to do, when i do feel them there extreamly lumpy but i’m sure they have always been like this.
could anyone tell me the correct procedure to check for breast cancer please?
and also is it possible to have an infection in your breasts?

A: infection, bruising, almost anything is possible. Lumpiness can mean two things. The lumps you have felt in the past were probably large, fatty deposits. Breast cancer lumps don’t feel at all like that but rather very hard, small, pea sized tiny lumps. It will feel like a beebee under your skin and much more distinct. To be able to detect them more easily ask for the breast self-examination silicon pad that enhances your sense of touch and ability to feel these little nodules. The pads are free at your clinic. below you will find the proper procedure in a link and more info.

Have your doctor check you out if you want to heal the soreness.

Q: im affriad of breast cancer !!!!! plz help?
im affriad of getting breast cancer because my mom said i need to start to check for breast cancer im 12 btw but im scared and i dont want breast cancer ……….. plz help !!!!!! it just makes me scared should i worry about it ?????????????????????

A: The biggest risk factor in breast cancer is AGE.

It is uncommon under age 40, rare under age 30 and almost uneard of under the age of 20.

By the time they reach age 85, 1 in 9 women will have faced this disease.

Your best protection is to identify change early, get early diagnosis and treatment and survive.

To be able to identify change early, you need to do regular checks and know what “normal” fels like for you (we all feel different).

By starting checks at your age, you have 10 years to understand normal growing breast tissue and familiarize yourself with your breasts before you need to worry to much.

On the unlikely chance that something shows up in the next 10 years that seems “odd” to you, talk to your mom, who should be able to give you some guidance if it is normal.

Q: Breast Cancer???
Breast Cancer is common in my family history. What self-check things can I do myself, if anything at all, to check for breast cancer? Is there anything I should be looking for? Is there anything I can do to hopefully prevent it?

I know I am only 13, but I don’t want to miss something, if possible. Thanks!

A: Examining your breasts is an important way to find a breast cancer early, when it’s most likely to be cured. Not every cancer can be found this way, but it is a critical step you can and should take for yourself. No woman wants to do a breast self-exam (or “BSE”), and for many the experience is frustrating—you may feel things but not know what they mean. However, the more you examine your breasts, the more you will learn about them and the easier it will become for you to tell if something unusual has occurred. BSE is an essential part of taking care of yourself and reducing your risk of breast cancer.

Studies show that regular breast self-exams, combined with an annual exam by a doctor, improves the chances of detecting cancer early.

Try to get in the habit of doing a breast self-examination once a month to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel. Examine yourself several days after your period ends, when your breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender. If you are no longer having periods, choose a day that’s easy to remember, such as the first or last day of the month.

Don’t panic if you think you feel a lump. Most women have some lumps or lumpy areas in their breasts all the time. Eight out of ten breast lumps that are removed are benign, non-cancerous.

Breasts tend to have different “neighborhoods.” The upper, outer area—near your armpit—tends to have the most prominent lumps and bumps. The lower half of your breast can feel like a sandy or pebbly beach. The area under the nipple can feel like a collection of large grains. Another part might feel like a lumpy bowl of oatmeal.

What’s important is that you get to know the look and feel of YOUR breasts’ various neighborhoods. Does something stand out as different from the rest (like a rock on a sandy beach)? Has anything changed? Bring to the attention of your doctor any changes in your breasts that:

last over a full month’s cycle, OR
seem to get worse or more obvious over time
Knowing how your breasts usually look and feel may also help you avoid needless biopsies—a procedure in which the doctor takes a small sample of breast tissue and examines it under a microscope.

A journal can help
Some women find it helpful to keep a record of their breast self-exam on paper. This can be like a small map of your breasts, with notes about where you feel lumps or irregularities. Especially in the beginning, this may help you remember, from month to month, what is “normal” for your breasts. It is not unusual for lumps to appear at certain times of the month, but then disappear, as your body changes with the menstrual cycle. Only changes that last beyond one full cycle, or seem to get bigger or more prominent in some way, need your doctor’s attention.

Q: is it likely I have breast cancer?
I am 14, last night while checking my breasts for lumps, I found a lump in the middle of my armpit, it kinda hurts when I touch it, is it likely I have breast cancer?

A: I’m 17 and about 5 months ago I found a lump in the middle of my armpit that hurt to touch I freaked out about pretty much every type of cancer (I am a bit of a hypochondriac) so I went to the doctor and the he laughed at me and told me it was a cyst caused by me having sensitive hair follicles.

Just go get it checked out, I’m sure it’s nothing serious.

Q: When being checked/treated for breast cancer, what is the process?
If meds are to be taken then are there “shots” involved?

A: When being checked for breast cancer by a doctor they will first start off by doing a breast exam checking it while the woman is lying down, and in many cases do it with the woman sitting up on the table as well with her arms up above her head and even with her standing up. The reason is to check the breasts from all aspects to make sure nothing is missed.

If something is found the doctor will watch it for about 6 months and then check again. If there is still something there they may send you off for a mammogram and ultrasound. If it is noncancerous they will just continue to watch it.

If it turns out to be cancerous they may recommend a lumpectomy (removal of the tumor) depending on its size along with radiation. If it’s bigger they may recommend a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast and also checking the sentinel nodes-this is to make sure that the cancer has not spread in to the lymph nodes) along with chemotherapy and radiation. Also, if the cancer is hormone positive such as for estrogen they may recommend a hormone medication like Arimidex (this is not the same as HRT-hormone replacement therapy-that is used to treat symptoms of menopause).

Q: im paranoid about breast cancer?
we have a history of cancer in our family
my aunt had cancer (i forgot what kind)
my dad had skin cancer (3 times i think)
and my grandma has pancreatic cancer. (currently)

i know to check for breast cancer you like feel//look for lumps but idk what im supposed to be feeling//looking for.
i feel awkward to talk to my mom about it because thats not a relationship that i have so i thought i would ask complete strangers…

im just super paraniod that im not going to know and when they catch it it will be too late….and idk if im being logical or anything…but its freaking me out.

A: Ok, there’s two issues here that you need some information on – your chances of getting breast cancer, and hereditary cancer in general.

First, breast cancer.

I see from your profile that you’re a young teenager. The chances of breast cancer at your age are close to zero.

Breast cancer is almost unheard of in under 25s, and fewer than 0.1% of those diagnosed are under 30. Only 5% are under 40 and 80% are over 50.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I was classed as ‘young’; I was 50.

There is no need to be doing breast self-exams at your age. The American Cancer Society and other cancer organisations recommend that women begin breast self examination at the age of 20. Before that it’s pointless; firstly because there are so many hormonal changes that there is no ‘normal’ – and self examination is about a woman knowing what’s normal for her and reporting any changes. And secondly because the chance of breast cancer is almost nil.

Now hereditary cancer:

From the information you’ve given you are unlikely to be at any increased risk of cancer – depending on the type of skin cancer your dad had, you may be at slightly increased risk of that – and certainly you are not at any increased risk of breast cancer.

Cancer is rarely hereditary – fewer than 10% of cases are.

You don’t inherit a general tendency to get cancer, and a number of family members having had different types of cancer (such as you describe in your family) is not hereditary.

A sign that a cancer MAY be hereditary within a family is when several members of the same side of that family have had the SAME type of cancer (eg all had breast cancer, or all had colon cancer), especially if some developed it at a younger than usual age.

And cancer that’s diagnosed after the age of 50 is even less likely to be hereditary.

With at least one in three people getting cancer at some point in their lives, it’s not unusual for several members of the same extended family to have non-hereditary cancers.

In my own family, two of my grandparents died of cancer. Both my parents had cancer and my mother died of it. So did my aunt, my uncle and my cousin. None of their cancers were hereditary, and no members of my immediate or extended family have ever been considered at increased risk of any of the cancers they had.

Of my parents’ 6 children, now aged between 47 and 60, I am the only one who has developed cancer, and mine too is non-hereditary and unconnected to theirs
=======
Edit* Whenever a question is asked on here about hereditary cancer, someone always claims that breast cancer is more likely than others to be hereditary. This is not true – only 5 – 10% of all breast cancer cases are hereditary

Q: Breast cancer? Why is an adult breast getting big and tight as if changing size.?
Okay. This is the story.
Theres an adult. shes 46years old and pass the age when your breast grow.
BUT, this past days, she’s saying that her breast is gettin bigger and it hurts bad enough that she cant even touch her breast.
So… I checked up on the breast cancer symptoms.
And it doesnt look like breast cancer.
Her nipples are not pressed inwards nor is it red around her breast. The only symptom that fits is that her boobs changes size or somwhat got bigger…
Now what she is feeling right now is
-When she touches her breast even a little, it hurts
-Her whole body around her breast hurts.
Thats it
But this are her medical history
-She did kidney surgery
-birth control pill because she has a tumor on her ovary.

And she has been having emotional problems this days out of stress..

Also, she went to the doctors last month and got her breast checked up by a doctor, and he said that theres is nothing wrong with the results, but i hear that most of the time, doctors check the breast part wrong often…
Now,, im just presuming its breast cancer, but i do not think it is,,
Is there any other illness she has?
Is the pil shes taking bad for her? should she not take it? its perscribed.
Is there any professional website i could email a professionest about this issue?

Please,, aide me in this problem. thankyou

A: You can go to Web MD and they will give you all the answers you need. Now for your friend. You will be told that pain is not a symptom of breast cancer, and this is true MOST of the time. For myself, 2 of my sisters and 2 of my nieces, we had horrible, horrible pain in our breast. No swelling, no redness and all of us a malignant tumors. Now, that doesn’t mean your friend has tumors. No, but she shouldn’t dismiss it either. When has she had her last mammogram. I know right now, she couldn’t have one if she’s hurting that much. Ewww, just the thought kills me. If she’s not happy with what her Dr told her, then she needs another opinion. Have any labs been done on her? Any blood work to determine an infection of any kind? She could also have cysts. Cysts are known to grow pretty fast. They usually are just fluid filled sacs but can grow and push around tissue and force their way into places they don’t belong, thus causing this swelling and of course pain. Right now, an ultra sound may be the best thing for her. I don’t believe it’s the pill because she’s been taking it and nothing like this before right? Of course, things change all the time. People will also tell you that she’s too young. Not true. My sister-in-law was diagnosed at 33, rare, but one of my nieces was also diagnosed at 42, At 46 most Dr’s would consider her beyond child bearing age which is when breast cancer usually developes. Like I always say, nothing is written in stone. That’s the best advice I can give you. Either she goes back to her Dr and ask for some kind of x-ray or ultra sound or get another opinion. It’s her right to do so. You don’t say what her diagnosis was. Just what did her Dr. tell her? I do find it hard to believe that her Dr would let her leave the office without the proper answers. Did she give you all the information or leave something out? It just doesn’t sound right for some reason. Just one more thing. You don’t feel the Dr did a proper exam on her breast? In defense of all good Dr. they do know how to properly exam breast, Heck, even I do. It’s not difficult for a professional, like a Dr, to correctly perform a breast exam. I do hope she feels better soon. Blessings

Q: Can a drooping breast be breast cancer?
Last week I had pain in my left breast that lasted about 15 minutes, this happened twice but since then has been fine. In the evening I noticed that my left breast seemed to be lower than my right which I have never noticed before. Now I am paranoid that I have breast cancer. I have checked my breast for lumps so many times that I am driving myself silly. I cant find any. I have an appointment with my doc on Monday but wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar and could give me any advice. If my doctor doesnt refer me for a mamorgram do you think it would be wise for me to request one. Please only serious answers to this question as I am feeling very sensitive about the whole thing. To give you a bit more info my breasts are a 34G and I am quite slim and I am also 46 so heading towards the menopause. Thanks so much for reading.

A: I’m not quite sure what the pain may be on your left breast. The pain may be related to a muscle tear or a lung problem.

A drooping breast (breast ptosis) can be caused by many factors which includes aging, breast feeding, pregnancy, and other body changes (like losing weight). Breast ptosis develops because of the expansion of the tissue in the breast (commonly caused by pregnancy) and the stretching of the ligaments in the breast (which is responsible to keep your breast up & lifted).

The only way to detect breast cancer is through self breast examinations and mamograms. Don’t feel silly when you are being your own health adovacate. I applaud you for taking care of yourself. As long as you don’t feel any masses or the mamograms resutls are negative, you should be breast cancer free. Remember, breast cancer can only be defined by masses in your breast, not the characteristcs.

If you insist of having a mamogram, then go ahead and get one. However, I strongly feel that you have nothing to worry about.

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