Breasts as ticking time bombs

[ktdid2000]

Do any other females here feel like it’s inevitable that they’ll get breast cancer at some point? I can think of a number of reasons why my brain has rationalized this as a likely event:

1) It is overly reported in the media increasing the presumed frequency that it happens.
2) GYN and OBs are forever pushing screening and checking yourself for lumps.
3) I’ve known a few friends that have gotten it despite the supposed lowering of risk activities like prolonged breastfeeding, even at my age (mid 30s).
4) My boobs have done (benign) strange things that make me think they are just crazy and doomed to failure.
5) Benign boob things are vastly underreported, it always seems any abnormality is treated as potentially cancer until proven otherwise.

Anyway, all this leads to a massive amount of OCD checking on my part and constant worrying. It’s getting worse now that I’m getting older and I know the risk starts going up. Can someone help me unpack these unhelpful rules and replace them with ones that make more sense?

[nomorepanic]

Hi

This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your post was moved from its original place to a sub-forum that is more relevant to your issue.

This is nothing personal - it just enables us to keep posts about the same problems in the relevant forums so other members with any experience with the issues can find them more easily.

Please also read this post:

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=213239

[Leslie735]

I can completely, 100% relate to how you feel about and your thought process. I'm 34 and the older I get the more fear I get. I also just learned I actually do have a family history when I didn't know, I did. My mom's aunt and cousin. Not immediate family but still scares me. Also, my right nipple has been burning the last couple days and that had my OCD and anxiety going.

[MJunderway]

Same! I wish that there were more accurate numbers reported or that you didn't have to search long and hard to find that info. My biggest gripes are, why am I not proactively checked for things that I def need to worry about like skin cancer (I'm a redhead from a long line of redheads, most having dealt with either skin cancer or abnormal cells) or heart disease (another family issue) or MS (my mom has it). I have to actively bring those issues up to my GP. In fact, I could probably avoid the dermatologist for the rest of my life I chose to and no one would ever ask about it.The medical community has a strong focus on breast health. I sometimes wonder if it's due in part to organizations like the Komen Foundation (responsible for the pink ribbon and all of those awareness walks and runs).

The other thing that really bothers me is the weird way that some u/s techs and nurses have of talking with patients as they are going through the diagnostic process. The one nurse who shares the results from the radiologist is like a well meaning robot. It's like she's programmed to share distressing news and so always has this face of concern, which freaks me out when that happens in instances where there's nothing of concern. I know she's trying to be kindly and that she's following an established protocol but her delivery is just so off at times. I'd rather get updates and info from either the breast surgeon, who I am beginning to know better or my gyn np, who is a straight shooter and just excellent with communication.

[Gee]

Yes Yes YES! I feel every single thought you have written it’s almost like you are in my brain, I see it now as an inevitability! My aunt had breast cancer and she was the ONLY one of 4 sisters that breast fed as well - I’m 34 too and I feel like I’m getting closer and closer to my impending doom. Also does anyone else see it as a ‘sign’ when something is on TV or a bag for a breast cancer charity comes through the door ... I’m thinking this is the universe telling me there’s something wrong! Eugh it’s a daily stress, nice to see this post today because I’ve had a particularly anxious day with like a deep throbbing feeling in my breast that’s had a full ultrasound 😩

[Limeslime]

This is very much my life!
Except rather than fearing I will get it one day, I fear I have it now!
I have been to my GP about it a lot in the past year and all my concerns have been dismissed as normal breast changes. I’m 35, and they’re definitely changing! Aging is cruel! But the changes associated with aging also fall under the “skin changes” that all the breast cancer campaigns tell us to look for...like contour changes, indentations when raising arm etc.
So it’s hard to accept the reassurance from the GP when they say everything like oks normal, but campaigns everywhere are telling you it’s not!

This morning, I saw an Instagram post from a BC survivor, urging people to check their breasts and push for a referral if you feel something isn’t right. She told a story of a friend who had a breast cancer so deep that it couldn’t be palated and was only found by chance when she had a benign lump on the opposite breast checked. I know these posts are well meaning but they scare the crap out of me. I’ve since spent the morning checking my breasts...again. And doubting myself over whether my breast tissue is normal, or are they lumps. Again.
I’m so easily triggered. I hate this.
I wish I could have an ultrasound but in the UK we can’t get them til we are 50. So I cannot see an end point.
Urgh.
Sorry for the rant, I just needed an outlet today!

[Gee]

I get this - I’m currently experiencing a sharp pain mainly when I breathe in right in between my boobs at the top - stressing me death. I paid for a US at Christmas because I was just so stressed, I’m thinking about paying for one annually - I also have done a bowel screening home test because that’s stressing me out ! Why can’t my brain just be normal!

[Limeslime]

Gee...how much did a private US cost and how do you go about it? I thought you needed a GP referral even for a private one?!

[Gee]

I just booked it directly with Nuffield and it was about £250 - I think I might do it annually ... thing is I’m so aware it’s all about early detection I can’t be too careful !

[Unicorn1985]

Yes Yes YES! I feel every single thought you have written it’s almost like you are in my brain, I see it now as an inevitability! My aunt had breast cancer and she was the ONLY one of 4 sisters that breast fed as well - I’m 34 too and I feel like I’m getting closer and closer to my impending doom. Also does anyone else see it as a ‘sign’ when something is on TV or a bag for a breast cancer charity comes through the door ... I’m thinking this is the universe telling me there’s something wrong! Eugh it’s a daily stress, nice to see this post today because I’ve had a particularly anxious day with like a deep throbbing feeling in my breast that’s had a full ultrasound 

Yes i I get This! I currently have a breast cancer clothes bag in my mail box. My counsellor has one sat on the ground outside her house, I found a piece of one in my garden the other day. I keep thinking it’s a sign and it’s adding to my stress levels!