The other day I was in the shower and remembered it was time to do a monthly breast exam. You should do them around the same time each month as breast tissue can feel differently at different times in the month due to hormonal fluctuations. I have to admit, I don’t remember every month but am trying to do better.
So there I am in the shower all suds up doing the exam. Left arm over head. Right hand moving in a circular motion from outside in. Remembering to check the underarm area. Then I feel it. An area that feels different from the last time I did a self exam, thicker, firmer. Oh God, I have cancer is my first thought. I continue to feel more frantically. And it’s huge, I think noticing that this thick firm area covers most of the area at the top part of my boob. And then the less panicky more sane part of my brain speaks, saying, wait a minute that does not at all feel like the teaching models that I felt at the living beyond breast cancer event. That feels like muscle! Right arm over head I check the left side and low in behold, it feels the exact same way. It turns out that regular chest presses and daily push-ups will actually give you muscles. Not just in your arms, but in your chest beneath your boobs.
Now cancer, of course, is no laughing matter, but I had to laugh at myself for not being able to recognize my own muscles and for my tendency toward hypochondria. In my defense, cancer has touched (that’s too nice of a word) beat up on close members of my family, perhaps making me too quick to jump to that conclusion.
I share this story with you not because I want you to have a mental picture of me in the shower with a hand full of boob, lovely as that may be. I share this story because it is important to laugh at ourselves, our idiosyncrasies and our character flaws (yes hypochondria and jumping to the worst possible scenario are character flaws). I also share this story as a reminder for us all to take good care of our girls. Here are a few breast health tips from from the Susan G. Komen site.
1. Know your risk
Talk to both sides of your family to learn about your family health history
Talk to your health care provider about your personal risk of breast cancer
2. Get screened
Talk with your health care provider about which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk
Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
Have a clinical breast exam at least every three years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40
Sign up for your screening reminder at komen.org/reminder
3. Know what is normal for you and see your health care provider if you notice any of these breast changes (see images):
Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
Change in the size or shape of the breast
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away
4. Make healthy lifestyle choices
Maintain a healthy weight
Add exercise into your routine
Limit alcohol intake
Limit menopausal hormone therapy (postmenopausal hormone use)
Breastfeed, if you can
Do you do monthly breast exams? Are you up to date on your recommended screenings? Are there lifestyle changes that you need to make? Just remember push-ups will make your chest muscles grow 🙂
*This post is written for entertainment purposes only. The information provided here in no way represents medical advice.
i have found myself to feel 100% better every time i hit the gym. I may not want to go some days but once i'm there i don't wan to leave.
I definitely need to take better care of myself. Monthly checks are so important
I need to do monthly checks. I'm going to add it to my calendar to make sure I do it. Thanks for the reminder!
I'm sure I would have done the exact same thing! Good for you for staying on top of your monthly exams! Glad that you don't have cancer.
Exercise is one of the most important things I have been teaching all my kids, not just my girls. I exercise every chance I get! – Jeanine
I wouldn't have thought about muscle, either! I try to remember to d a self-check every month, too.
Good to know that your muscles are developing and not cancerous! Great tips for a healthy October for everyone
These are great tips! And so funny that it was muscle {after the initial panic of course!}
It's important for exercise. A wman should always do breast checks as well!
It's wonderful you do checks; let's be honest, I'm not always remembering each month. But I'm so relieved you are experiencing positive results from your exercising. It's really motivating.
Some great suggestions. Glad to hear it was only muscles and not cancer. Always good to know your body.
I always jump to the cancer conclusion too, but I am glad you got a little chuckle out of your error. Enjoy those new muscles!
I bet that could be pretty scary to think there is something wrong when, in fact, it is just muscle. This is a great post!
What a scare and what a great finding! All your tips are great reminders and with Breast Cancer Awareness month, it's a great time to get a mammogram!
I really need to start doing a monthly breast self check. Since my woman cycle is pretty wonky I am always afraid I will mistake PMS sensitivity for an actual lump or problem and scare myself.
I think exercise is good. It is always important to do a breast check each month.
It's definitely weird to feel that muscle growing underneath! This is great info and I try to keep up on my checks just in case!
Oh man, your story sounds like something that would happen to me. I have had several relatives with breast cancer so I freak out when anything changes at all!
I don't think you can ever be too careful when it comes to breast cancer. I've seen what it can do to people first hand. It's hideous.
I have been getting better about small amounts of exercise now that we are slowly getting some of my pain issues better managed. I am very hopeful for longer workout sessions soon!
It is SO important to exercise. I workout pretty much 7 days a week.
Yep, those would be your pecs. LOL, women have them just the same as men.
Yes, right. 100% right. Exercise is only one medicine which does not take any bill but give a lot of benefits and that's why we all have to do exercise as much as we can. thanks