DISCLAIMER: The following post outlines the writer’s personal experience with breast health. It is not intended to act as medical advice. As always, please consult your doctor with any questions about breast health.
Every October the color pink takes over our cities, social media, and hearts. We associate the color pink with our loved ones who have had an experience with breast cancer. And according to cancer.org, breast cancer accounts for 30% of all new female cancers each year.
My grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was a teenager and my great-grandma had already passed away from it before I was born. Then, I found my first lump in my breast in my mid-twenties while I was taking a shower. As a young woman, I knew I was supposed to be doing monthly breast self-exams . . . but often forgot to.
I was overwhelmed with feelings of guilt, anxiety, and worry the day I found that first lump. The OBGYN that I saw at the time was able to get me in that same week for an appointment. He felt the lump and gave me a referral to a breast surgeon and to have my first mammogram. I remember asking if they did mammograms that young when I called to schedule it; I thought you had to be 40 years old to have one.
How to Do a Breast Self-Exam
A breast self-exam should be completed monthly. I say should, because I know that I am not the only woman reading this who forgets to do them every month. I have heard of people putting reminders in their phone to remind them as well as writing it on their calendars. It is such a simple quick exam we can do in the shower–and it could end up being life-saving.
According to the Mayo Clinic, here are the guidelines for performing a breast self-exam:
Start by looking in the mirror.
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Stand with your shoulders straight and arms on your hips, then arms raised, and finally, arms at your sides.
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Each time, look for changes in shape, size, or symmetry.
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Also notice any dimpling, puckering, redness, rash, or nipple changes.
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Then, check while standing (in the shower is easiest) and/or laying down.
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Use the pads of your fingers to feel your entire breast. Move in small circles with light, medium, and firm pressure in each spot.
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Cover the breast from collarbone to ribcage, and from armpit to sternum.
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Early Detection Saves Lives
The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chances for successful treatment. Here are a few key steps for early detection from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.:
- Self-awareness: Know what feels normal for your body. Report any changes (like lumps, pain, or skin changes) to your healthcare provider.
- Screenings: Regular mammograms are still the gold standard for early detection. Talk to your doctor about the right schedule for you based on age and risk factors.
- Family history: Share your family health history with your provider, as genetics can play a big role.
I was able to quickly get an appointment with a surgeon. They did a biopsy of the lump in my breast. Within a week, they called and said that I needed to come into the office to discuss the results. At that moment, since I had to come in for results, I thought that I was going to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Over the following week, I made a bucket list, researched vacations, and planned out all the things I could do with the savings I had. Thankfully, the results were benign–and I did not have to even think about completing a bucket list.
Who Should Get a Mammogram?
Guidelines vary slightly depending on the organization, but general recommendations include:
- a mammogram every two years for women who are 40-74 years old and at average risk for breast cancer (according to the US Preventive Services Task Force)
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earlier and more frequent screening for high-risk individuals, based on things like family history, genetic mutations, or previous chest radiation (according to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation)
Over the last decade I have continued to find lumps in both my breasts and armpit area. Because of this, the testing process has been repeated numerous times. The mammogram procedure itself is not that bad for me; it is the emotional aspect of it. It started to get both physically and mentally taxing worrying about taking time off work and waiting for the results. As a nurse who worked 7:00-3:30 with on-call shifts, there were very few appointments outside of that window.
I have been getting mammograms since I was 24 years old. At first we were doing two a year, and then in my 30s I was able to graduate to one a year. The technology has come a long way in over a decade since my first one. They are much quicker now and can detect even the slightest abnormality. A mammogram does not come without risk, so it is important to follow the guidelines and not be exposed to excess radiation if it is not needed.
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing looks for inherited mutations (changes) in specific genes that increase the risk of developing breast cancer. The most well-known are BRCA1 and BRCA2: if one of these mutations is found, it does not guarantee that a person will develop cancer; it just means their risk is much higher than those who do not have the mutation.
According to breastcancer.org, people go through genetic testing for a variety of reasons based on personal history, family history, previous breast cancer diagnoses (for women and men), or being diagnosed with breast cancer and of Ashkenazi Jewish (Eastern European) ancestry (a complete list is available at breastcancer.org).
I did not fit into any of those categories, but with the strong family history of reproductive cancers and the numerous lumps, my OB agreed that we could do the test for peace of mind. The test was very simple: a tech came and drew my blood and within two weeks, I had an entire report of 75 different genes that could cause cancer.
I feel so much more at ease and now have graduated to only having ultrasounds instead of a mammogram each time I find a lump. I know that my risk is not 100% eliminated, but now I know that it would be an environmental factor versus a genetic disposition.
