My friend Lori was posted up at home, fresh out of surgery on a broken ankle, when she discovered a lump in her breast. Nine months later, she succumbed to the breast cancer that had since taken over the rest of her body. When she passed, I swore I’d do monthly breast self-exams. That was in March of 2017 and until a recent doctor’s appointment, I think I had done exactly ONE since then.
I’d miss something anyway, so what’s the point?
Especially if you have ropey, fibrous, and/or cystic breasts, it’s easy to think you could not tell if you did have a lump. But remember when you noticed that tiny new freckle on your son’s nose? Remember when you noticed your daughter’s hair had grown exactly .03 mm?
If you do breast self-exams regularly, chances are, you’ll notice something out of the ordinary. Because the more familiar you are with your own breasts, the more likely you are to notice something.
You can also recruit your partner to help you with this. Get all hands on deck, literally, because this too can help increase the odds that at least one of you will notice an irregularity.
How the heck do I even do a breast self-exam?
Start by seeing a doctor and talking about how to do this at home. Telling my doctor I had no idea what I was doing helped because she took the time to really teach me. That gave me more confidence in my ability to notice something. She showed me how to use two or three fingers, press down lightly, and work your way around the whole breast checking for lumps. Start with a pretty large circumference and work your way toward the center in concentric circles. You should also check for swelling, redness, or discharge.
How can I remember to do ONE. MORE. THING?
You (probably) remembered your kid had pajama day at school or that you have to pick up avocados for Taco Tuesday. Why? Because you prioritized. Prioritize your boobies too! Set up a monthly reminder in your calendar. Set up a reminder in your partner’s calendar. Enlist your mom/sister, friend, etc to help remind one another and hold each other accountable. Try associating it with something else you do monthly. Maybe always do it the week after your period. Or, maybe something silly like every time you dust you do a breast self-exam (don’t judge me for not dusting more than once a month).
Make it a priority ladies, and encourage others to do the same.
