Tag Archives: self-exam

Boobfographic

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For all those Ladies that still have their boobies, here’s a fun boobfographic (I came across on good ol’ Imgur; originally posted by R.O.I Media) demonstrating ways to check the girls:

Breast Cancer is treatable if it’s detected early on. This means that if you, or you and your partner, examine your breasts regularly for warning signs, you stand a better chance of finding lumps before it’s too late.

Tip #1

The soap you use in the shower allows your fingers to glide along the surface of the skin, making it easier to feel irregularities in the texture of the breast tissue.

Tip #2

Checking your partner’s breasts – or your own – isn’t all about intimate fondling; you have to stay focused. Gently massage with varying levels of force to ensure that the area is thoroughly examined.

Tip #3

Remember that it’s not just the soft breast tissue that needs to be checked, but the whole chestal area – from collar bone to armpit to upper ribcage.

It doesn’t matter whether your cup is half full or if it runneth over – it’s essential to take a hands-on approach to your boobal well-being. Use these three easy steps when examining your breasts and consult your doctor for further information. See more at R.O.I Media.

BTW, today is my one year blogaversary. Woo hoo! A year ago I wrote my first post: You’re doing WHAT? What a difference a year makes!!!

Self-exams

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You can be a heroine, you can be a powerful villain, but you are not immune. Ladies, do your self-exams! I ❤ this ad campaign created for Mozambique Fashion Week.

Speaking of Mozambique, do you have any gently used-bras you can donate? Free the Girls!

Nobody’s Immune to Breast Cancer. When we talk about breast cancer, there’s no women or superwomen. Everybody has to do the self-examination monthly. Fight with us against this enemy and, when in doubt, talk with your doctor. – Associação da Luta Contra o Cancer (ALCC)

ALCC Wonder Woman

ALCC Cat Woman

ALCC Hulk

ALCC Storm

But why?

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I never really worried or thought much about cancer until my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 28 (10+ years ago). She died a year later. So … annual mammograms began in my mid 20s and mid-year ultrasounds were added a few years later. The topic of a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy came up on a couple of occasions, but I didn’t think I had enough reason to seriously consider it. So far, so good.

In March 2012 an ultrasound spotted some issues. Three separate masses were present – two on the left breast, one on the right. They developed in the six months since the last mammogram. Based on quantity and consistency, the oncologist thought they were cysts. Rather than doing a biopsy to draw fluid for testing, he recommended that I first undergo an MRI screening. At this time I started doing some casual research on prophylactic bilateral mastectomies.  Waiting for test results was hell, but when they eventually arrived, they were good – no cancer. Whew! High five!

Fast forward to June 2012. I felt something unusual during one of my monthly self-exams. The lump I felt was in one of the three spots where the ultrasound found issues. Another ultrasound confirmed that two of the three spots had increased in size and were now palpable. Fine-needle aspiration biopsies were done and results sent for testing. I got names of a few plastic surgeons in my area and left with a plan to start the conversations, no matter the results. The biopsy results were negative for cancer, but there were abnormal cells detected. I already knew I have “extremely” dense breast tissue/fibrocystic disease (which can make diagnosis of cancerous tumors more difficult). I was told to continue my self-exams and keep regular screening appointments as I had in the past.