Oct. Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

well I bought my t-shirt today, they had it in the store. so here's a bump!

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Well... my mum was my age now..38... when her lump came up.. overnight..literally..woke up with it at the very top of the breast... like a big hard cyst... didn't know anybody who'd had breast cancer. but at heard it was booming ...I was 19 the age my Kayleigh is now... lost her 5 years later...

Not allowed a mammogram here until ya 40+ so would defo not have saved my mum.... would the breast check have helped.. probably not.. cos she suffered badly with mastitus...so would have put it down to that..

Infact she went to her doctors.. because she had been getting a terrible pain in her back for a year (back of the breast part) but told her the way she sits for work.

Was only the size of a lentil though the first actual tumour...
dunno why looked so big.. surrounding defensive tissue i suppose..
I'd say anybody that ever gets this.. to just demand a mastectomy straight away and not have the lump removals..

so.. I could have the gene test.. I did have an appointment for that when they told me the second time (last year) I was too young.. but then if I do ..I'll be waiting every day for it to appear.. can never plan etc... unless I had the double mastectomy...

There is a strong link here between women who's mothers as early as the 1940's took a pill to stop them having a miscarriage during the pregnancy.. my mum was born in 1949

Now.. my nan lost a baby right before my mum at about nearly five months.. my mum was the next child.. I think the chances that my nan was one who was prescribed this were pretty high... but I don't want to ask... just incase she did and feels bad in some way... that it may have been the big factor or contributed... our doctors suggestion was tht it was the fact my mum was on the contraception pill for over 16 years with NO break and smoked ... then proceeded to have a sterilisation ..that stops your normal female cell production or something.....

He asked to see me and advised me against the contraception pill and that I should continue to breastfeed if I have more children.. and that if I did want to that I would need to see another doctor cos he would refuse...(well I don't think he could of.. but it was good enough for me)

I only had Kayleigh at the time.. I have 5 children instead and I breastfed every one of them...my mum took some pill that dried up the milk..after having each of us...

I have no idea if what I've done helps or not.. but I took that mans advice anyhow... but it was his opinion...but he seemed to care enough.

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this is very important cause give to chairtys and raise awarness in your city today. partcipate in the save lids to save lives program from Yoplait yogurt.

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shittttttttttttt,cancers uks with a BIG S at the front
why my wife wife wont get screened is scary to me
i plaqy with the jugs and recently felt difrence,fat is soft,this was ummmmmmmmmm not soft,didnt wqanna make a alarm but mentioned it,she willl be checked in couple weeks,i know she OK but takin no chances!
my aunt,retarted,had stage 3 breast,5 years later haealthier than ever b4

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Patrick, they are not jugs!!

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lol

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darn, I keep waiting for this to go down the page so i can give it a good double bump, humph!

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LadyDi821 i'm glad to hear you are ok now.......and connieg i'm sorry about your mum......big hugsss to your both

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Bump!!!!!!!!! and EVERY pun intended, although a very difficult thing to face, Breast Cancer is much too common, more so than ever and younger are afflicted with it.

Been just over a year for me, .......one thing I must say about October......the month of Libra.......Balance. How better suited could this be? Keeping balance of everything in your life, starts with good health......some of us much keep fighting, but it is a step forward.

Connie, sry about your Mum. Di and everyone else who is afflicted with this sometimes angry little monster.......NEVER feel foolish because you are not sure.

GO get checked and if your dr says you are too young, or it is nothing to worry of.........go see another Dr until you have a mammogram and ultrasound.

:-)

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wrong account :)

Edited on September 29, 2007 at 5:40 AM Quote

connieg wrote:

Not allowed a mammogram here until ya 40+

My Mum had breast cancer 3 years ago at the age of 44. I thank God daily that she is ok, and that they got rid of it all. Connie, you can pay for a Mammogram, its only like £50... i would say its MORE than worth it...

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Cancer of any kind is a terrible thing, especially when it is a cancer that was treatable but not taken care of early enough.

Of course, I'm also quite sympathetic to those who have cancer, have had it, or have lost loved ones to it, young and old... I think we all been touched by it somehow...

That said, I'm not so sure the plan to keep bumping this thread to the top of the list throughout the month is entirely kosher. Will everyone be as enthusiastic to see Penis Cancer Awareness Month at the top of the forums when that rolls around? Also please note that it is a Western/North American observance you're talking about and Singsnap is a global site. Many around the world may not appreciate having the topic persistently sitting atop the forum category list or the entire campaign may conflict with their own beliefs or agenda...

Beside B.C.A.M., October is also:

- Campaign for Healthier Babies Month
- Celiac Sprue Awareness Month
- National Dental Hygiene Month (in United States)
- National Down Syndrome Awareness Month (in United es)
- Health Literacy Month
- Healthy Lung Month
- National Infertility Awareness Month (in United States)
- National Lupus Erythematosus Awareness Month (in United States)
- National Orthodontic Health Month (in United States)
- National Physical Therapy Month (in United States)
- National Spina Bifida Awareness Month (in United States)
- National Spinal Health Month (in United States)
- Rett Syndrome Awareness Month (in United States)
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month (in United States)
- World Blindness Awareness Month

I'd hate to have to have to see a thread topic bump attention battle between breast cancer month, world blindness month, Lupus month, Spina Bifida month, or downs syndrome awareness month. I hope you understand what I'm saying here.

Perhaps we need a sticky topic where ALL the many observances for any given month, cultural, medical or otherwise, can be championed and discussed together, all under ONE topic.

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I lost my grandmother to breast cancer. Exclt thread Di!

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I lost my mom last year to Breast Cancer... thank you Di for helping raise awareness :)

... and I am GLAD that you are okay and here with us now too!

Edited on September 29, 2007 at 11:33 AM Quote

only last week I found myself on the phone making an appointment for a mammogram without even having thought about it.......making the appointment I arranged one for my sister also and informed her later........she wasn't thrilled about going but went along with me a few days later......two days later she got a call informing her that she needed to attend hospital urgently and that her results were being couried there.........she has within the past week been diagnosed in the early stages of breast cancer and although I sense she is annoyed with me for indirectly bringing this chaos into her life I also know it is because she is in shock and angry at this horrible disease attacking her body........I have a good feeling that with early detection and treatment that hopefully she will make a good recovery, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at 42 but she made a full recovery.......I guess that is why I felt compelled to make that appointment......as we are both at that age now........all I can do is be there to support my sister through this sudden nightmare for her and her family and also to continue with breast awareness myself and promoting it also.........xx

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The Five Steps of a Breast Self-Exam

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

Here's what you should look for:

breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color
breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling
If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:
dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
a nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)
redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3: While you're at the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb and check for nipple discharge (this could be a milky or yellow fluid or blood).

Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together.

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side—from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. Be sure to feel all the breast tissue: just beneath your skin with a soft touch and down deeper with a firmer touch. Begin examining each area with a very soft touch, and then increase pressure so that you can feel the deeper tissue, down to your ribcage.

Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.

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Sorry if anyone finds the self examination pics above offensive or not appropriate in this forum but if just by reading this and seeing how to do a self examination and that goes for men also as they are at risk of breast cancer too so that even if one person benefits from this information then I know it will be worth any slack.........and please I really hope that there will not be any silly immature comments in relation to something that is a highly sensitive and really worrying health concern.............xx

Edited on September 29, 2007 at 2:25 PM Quote

My husband's Aunt just died last year right after christmas after a hard battle with breast cancer...

My sis in law, mom in law, and bunch of other girls made Teeshirts with her name on them.. with pink ribbons.. and wore them in honor of her surviving it the first time around.. (It came back )

We started calling ourselves the "pink ladies" because of all the pink breast cancer stuff we have...We even have Pink jackets that are replicas of the ones from grease... that have our names and "Pink Ladies" on the back...

This is a great thread... everyone should be aware. It doesn't just happen to women with big boobs.. or women who are 50.. or whatever.. it also happens to men.. and young girls...

anyone..

I know because my husband's dad also had breast cancer..

just thought I'd throw that out there.

*hugs* guys.

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Cancer is no longer a "it only happens to other Families" thing. Everyone who is needs to stop "burying their heads in the sand" and get out and Run, Push, and Fight for a cure !!! I lost my Dad in January to Pancreatic Cancer. My town had a Run for a Cure marathon here this Year (aiding the fight against Breast Cancer) unfortunately I was still working full-time. But, now I'm retired and will (and have) started to prepare for next Year's event. Because the Big "C" impacts everyone in every family. Don't kid Yourself... Thank You LadyDi821 for starting this Discussion Forum.....Descanto

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thanks Diane for bringing this important issue to the fore.......and for sharing your personal experience with us here..........having done an accredited course earlier this year with a uk organisation called Action Cancer I was surprised to learn that alcohol may be factor in triggering breast cancer more so than smoking.......this was a surprise for me and so I thought that I would share that information here........here are some facts......

Scientists have calculated that a woman's risk of breast cancer rises by 6% for each extra alcoholic drink she consumes on an average daily basis (7% on international measures).

For older women, whose risk of the disease is higher, the effect of alcohol is more significant.

The study, by the charity Cancer Research UK, estimates that alcohol accounts for around 4% of breast cancers in the developed world ­ and around 2,000 cases each year in the UK alone.

And if women's alcohol consumption continues to increase this figure is likely to rise.

"There is a definite link between alcohol and breast cancer and the evidence suggests that the more a woman drinks the greater her risk "
Professor Valerie Beral

Risk of developing breast cancer
Up to age 25 - one in 15,000
Up to age 30 - one in 1,900
Up to age 40 - one in 200
Up to age 60 - one in 23
Up to 70 - one in 15
Up to 80 - one in 11

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Maria wrote:thanks Diane for bringing this important issue to the fore.......and for sharing your personal experience with us here..........having done an accredited course earlier this year with a uk organisation called Action Cancer I was surprised to learn that alcohol may be factor in triggering breast cancer more so than smoking.......this was a surprise for me and so I thought that I would share that information here........here are some facts......

Scientists have calculated that a woman's risk of breast cancer rises by 6% for each extra alcoholic drink she consumes on an average daily basis (7% on international measures).

For older women, whose risk of the disease is higher, the effect of alcohol is more significant.

The study, by the charity Cancer Research UK, estimates that alcohol accounts for around 4% of breast cancers in the developed world ­ and around 2,000 cases each year in the UK alone.

And if women's alcohol consumption continues to increase this figure is likely to rise.

"There is a definite link between alcohol and breast cancer and the evidence suggests that the more a woman drinks the greater her risk "
Professor Valerie Beral

Risk of developing breast cancer
Up to age 25 - one in 15,000
Up to age 30 - one in 1,900
Up to age 40 - one in 200
Up to age 60 - one in 23
Up to 70 - one in 15
Up to 80 - one in 11

the weird thing is, every person I have ever known to have breast cancer, has NEVER been a drinker.

My husband's Aunt, my Aunt,my father in law got it when he was very young... my great-grandmother never drank.

so.. just thought I'd add that...

If you aren't a drinker, don't think you are immune,.

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I can relate to that also Chastity as my mum never drank but studies are proving that if alcohol is consumed it does increase the risks ............well worth knowing if already in a high risk group........prevention is better than cure......

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I'm not fighting it or making light of it. Once again Di, the point I was trying to make here is this:

Breast Cancer awareness: Good, real good.

Bumping it up to the top of the forum as often as you can: Probably not an appropriate action.

Reasons why:

- There are forum rules against bumping threads excessively regardless of the poster's altruism

- If you're allowed to continue bumping BCAM, that means you must also be willing to give way to constant bumping of other observances that other people may be dear of. I listed ALL October medical observances, it's not MY role to assign priority to any one of them, but you'd probably have a fight on your hands arguing the importance of one over the other.

I've lost uncles to cancer, my brother has had it and beat it and my mother has also had pre-malignant tumors removed from her breasts. So yeah, it's good to see others passionate about helping to spread awareness, I just wouldn't want to see OFF TOPIC become a dog's breakfast of medical observance threads vying for attention at the top because of excessive bumping.

I'm all for the idea of you requesting it become a sticky thread for October or for it to be placed in a special "Observances" category, which can also serve for birthdays, holidays, death-notices, prayer requests, and whatever else users deem worthy of requesting observance for from other members.

I'll give you a more personal example... I'm far more concerned with the cause of preventable child mortality worldwide. 1 in 5 children born in the world will die before the age of five from preventable illnesses. about 10 million per year or nearly 30,000 children every single day, 53% of those deaths attributed to undernutrition alone.

Do you want to have a bump war with me about which one is more important or more worthy of awareness on any day of the year? I sure don't, that's all I'm saying.

PS: I saw this the other day, thought I'd link it here considering it's on topic and part of the whole BCAM thing...

Clicky

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LadyDi821 wrote:I never drank a day in my life. I do smoke though. So I suppose there are many factors they are alerting us to as the research continues..

Oh and this is for you Chas ...

HAhahahaa. That is freaking PERFECT!!

Im going to put that on my myspace. ;p

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