posted August 04, 2000 10:47 AM            

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OK, I am terrified of this hideous disease and after all the media coverage and family members dying from it, I am particularly sensitive to the subject.

I'm standing in the mirror the other day and I notice this little lump close to my sternum. OMG, I thought this is not good. I lost several nights of sleep thinking about this. Plus, I have fybrocystic boobs to begin with so now I'm imagining tons of lumps. Finally, I break down and call the doc. It turned out to be, a piece of broken off cartilage. I thank God of course it wasn't the alternative. Just thought I would post this for any ladies who are afraid to either do the exams or go to the doc when they find something. It turns out that 90%! (that high) of lumps are not cancerous but if you should find it you could catch it in PLENTY of time for treatment.

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posted August 04, 2000 01:04 PM            

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Hi riptchick! I'm glad you didn't have to face a worse case scenerio. I, too, have a friend that has fybrocystic lumps. Oops, do you call them lumps? Anyway, she keeps a close check on them. She's just about 30 yrs. old.

My aunt had breast cancer and although she's an aunt, my doctor tells me I should still be very careful & aware of mine.....which I do watch.

This is such an important topic with women. We should all do monthly checks.

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posted August 04, 2000 02:30 PM            

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Thanks for sharing ript.

I'm 26 and sad to say, but i've never done monthly exams on myself. (only when i go to the doc.)

I need to get in the habit of doing so.

Thanks for opening my eyes.
missgalaxy

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posted August 04, 2000 04:53 PM            

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Hey ript,
Glad the news was good!
glad to see you did go...both my mom grnadmom had breast cancer so I'm right in line for the train. Ladies and gentlemen please, please please...check yourselves out... and learn what to look for ... my dad found my mom's lump, turns out women's partners are the one's most likely to find a lump. I've had male friends get BC as well...I have a 30 year old friend who is just beginning her chemo and radiation.
When you have your physicals ask the doctor to let you handle the breast models. They're opaque and have lumps in them and you learn to find them by feel. It's 2 minutes a month and it's worth a lifetime!

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Kaizen

"Omnia praeclara
tam difficilia
quam rara sunt."

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posted August 04, 2000 09:23 PM            

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Thanks for the responses.

Good idea about the models. I did feel them one time and it helps to teach you what to feel for. I pray that a cancer cure is not too far away. TOO MANY die from it every year. Sad.....

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posted August 09, 2000 01:47 AM            

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What ever you do - do go and get any LUMP checked. I was in my low 20s when I found a lump went to my doctor and she said it was PROBABLY??? a cyst and referred me to the hospital. I didn't go - cause I was young and it was PROBABLY a cyst. Well it got bigger and bigger until I ended up going to another doctor and finally the hospital where I had it removed - 3 weeks after that day surgery I had to go back to get a partial mysectomy! The surgeon told me the man in the lab said it would be better to do a full mysectomy - I was only 25! So I learnt the hard way, I'm lucky though because the lose has been small and it's not really visible anymore. For goodness sake don't panic it may only be a cyst but don't neglect it or you may regret it. You might not die from it but you may end up losing a breast. Take care of your body-you've only got one and it's got to last you for a whole life time!

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