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The Lump Saga and Breast Cancer
Oct. 12th, 2011 02:07 amAlright, so after the dermatologist taking for f-ing ever to get the reports to my pcp (seriously, three weeks? You guys are less then a mile away from each other, I could have walked it there myself faster), Dr. Drew has decided it's stupid to get a mamogram since it the lump wouldn't show up on it (if you see pictures of a mamogram, the positioning of my lump in my armpit would cause only the smallest portion to show up). So instead, I'm now waiting on an ultra-sound, which I agree is the best choice.
Which brings me to my annal post for October...only, not. Usually, right about now I would be doing my yearly BC awareness post, listing the types and signs of common and rare breast cancers for you to be on the look out for, but as I'm going through my own personal drama, I thought I would point out the little known fact of 'armpit breast cancer", that is, a tumor in your armpit.
Most women (and men!), forget about the armpit when doing self-exams simply because it's 'not the breast', but a sad reality is that breast tissue is far more involved then just the knockers that hang off our chest. My pcp recommends the 'bra' rule, if it's covered by a bra, check it for a lump. This includes your upper chest, shoulders (towards your collar bone), armpits and sides. If you feel ANYTHING unusual, get it checked out (like I'm doing!), it could be a cyst, it could be a fatty (begin) tumor, it could be a life threatening disease, you don't know and you CAN'T brush it off.
And on the topic of little known facts, don't forget to remind your sons, husbands, fathers, brothers, etc that men can get breast cancer too (rare, but it happens!), if they feel anything odd, don't let them shrug if off (not only that, but there are other serious causes of lumps on the body, you really should get them all checked out).
For those of you who may have put off your monthly exams and forgot the steps, it's easy peasy and you can do it in a short time (heck, have your partner do it, more fun for all!). Simply lay back (flat prefered, no pillows), put your arm over your head (like a wanton victorian painting) and starting with your shoulder, use two fingers to gently feel the tissue around your shoulders, breast (sides, top, bottom and middle) as well as your armpit and chest side (as far as you can comfortably reach) in SMALL, CIRCULAR motions. Switch sides and repeat. There, all done!
For more information on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer (and the more uncommon ones), visit last years post here.
And don't forget your flu shot! Go out there right now bitches and get it!
(I appolgize for calling you all bitches, too much L.A. Noir)
Which brings me to my annal post for October...only, not. Usually, right about now I would be doing my yearly BC awareness post, listing the types and signs of common and rare breast cancers for you to be on the look out for, but as I'm going through my own personal drama, I thought I would point out the little known fact of 'armpit breast cancer", that is, a tumor in your armpit.
Most women (and men!), forget about the armpit when doing self-exams simply because it's 'not the breast', but a sad reality is that breast tissue is far more involved then just the knockers that hang off our chest. My pcp recommends the 'bra' rule, if it's covered by a bra, check it for a lump. This includes your upper chest, shoulders (towards your collar bone), armpits and sides. If you feel ANYTHING unusual, get it checked out (like I'm doing!), it could be a cyst, it could be a fatty (begin) tumor, it could be a life threatening disease, you don't know and you CAN'T brush it off.
And on the topic of little known facts, don't forget to remind your sons, husbands, fathers, brothers, etc that men can get breast cancer too (rare, but it happens!), if they feel anything odd, don't let them shrug if off (not only that, but there are other serious causes of lumps on the body, you really should get them all checked out).
For those of you who may have put off your monthly exams and forgot the steps, it's easy peasy and you can do it in a short time (heck, have your partner do it, more fun for all!). Simply lay back (flat prefered, no pillows), put your arm over your head (like a wanton victorian painting) and starting with your shoulder, use two fingers to gently feel the tissue around your shoulders, breast (sides, top, bottom and middle) as well as your armpit and chest side (as far as you can comfortably reach) in SMALL, CIRCULAR motions. Switch sides and repeat. There, all done!
For more information on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer (and the more uncommon ones), visit last years post here.
And don't forget your flu shot! Go out there right now bitches and get it!
(I appolgize for calling you all bitches, too much L.A. Noir)
