(no subject)

[an-otter.livejournal.com]

The post about going to the gynecologist reminded me of something. How often do you all self-examine your breasts? I'm ashamed to admit, I don't do as often as I should. For those that actually do it every month, how do you remember? I think part of my problem is that I think, "Oh, I'm 22. Women my age don't get breast cancer."

Comments

[winterknight.livejournal.com]

There's a couple ways to do this. One is to take your birthday and do it on that day every month. You can also do it on the day after your period. If you're on the Pill, you can time it really easily. It's best to be consistent and stay away from PMS times when you may be bloated and puffy. That said, the birthday method will have you checking during these times sometimes but not always and it's very consistent, something you can use no matter what. Basically pick something that will work for you whether it's on the day the rent is due or your kid's birthday, or the 4th Monday of every month, it doesn't matter. Doing it is what counts. If you have a calendar and you use it a lot, go through at the beginning of each year and mark in with a little heart or something your exam days and your pap smear, etc. That always helps. :)

[devi-pavarti.livejournal.com]

well, my mom had breast cancer at 18, so while it's rare it really does happen. I'm 24 and already scheduled for my first mamogram...I have to start having them at 25 because of my mother's history. Are you on the pill or any other kind of schedule like that? Or use a calander? You could put a mark on the day you shoudl do them to remind yourself. You should do a sefl examination on the 7th or 8th day after your period begins

[heatherjean.livejournal.com]

I examine every month, in the shower, lying down, etc. The best time to check is right after your period. The breast area goes from the breast bone, to the armpit, around the area of your breast. Something like 95% of the time, a woman is able to find a lump just by self-examination. I think checking your breasts is just as important as a pap smear. Besides the whole "I'm too young to get breast cancer", I have heard several women with small breasts or who are flat chested say that they don't need to check their breasts because they are so small. I want to stress that this is not true. No matter how small your breasts, you need to check them! That way, you will get familiar with how your breast feel so if you do find a lump or something that feels unusual, you can spot it right away. There is more info here (http://trfn.clpgh.org/bcis/GeneralInfo/bse.html) about how to examen your breasts and why it is so important.

[shamrocks.livejournal.com]

my cousin got breast cancer when she was 20. She wasn't diagnosed until she was 21 because "women her age dont' get breast cancer". They insisted she had a cyst and tried repeatedly to drain it. When they finally realized that it wasn't, it was too late and the cancer had spread to every last lymph node in her breast. I'm sad to say that I dont' do self-exams either. My cousin died when she was 23 because her doctor said it was benign. My aunt even tried to sue her doctor, but he retired too soon after

[geminigirl]

I actually do it twice a month...once before my period and once after. It's really easy that way cause I'm on the pill, so I know when my period is coming. I do it twice because I have one spot that's quite sensitive and painful to the touch before my period, which my doctor says is probably a cyst, but I do need to keep and eye on it to see if it changes...and if I only did it after my period I wouldn't feel it.

I don't know why or how I got into the habit of doing it...I wish I could find my hanging shower card thing from the Lesbian Health program down here though.