QUESTION to FEMALES - when is the best time to do a self breast exam?
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
United States
January 29, 2010 5:06pm CST
i forgot if its before or after your menstrual cycle the is best.. you would think with as much news on it and doctors telling ya that i would remember but it seems like i remember it being AFTER your cycle because before or during you may have lumps that disappear afterwards.. is this correct? i have a lump but am trying to not freak out because im on my cycle so im just wondering if its after or if it doesnt matter?
have you had lumps that come and go within a few weeks? do you give it a little time before you go to the doc just to make sure? im almost wondering if its a knot in my muscle since my muscles spasm and make knots in my back and chest and it hurts when pressed and came out of no where but with a history of breast cancer in my family i plan on as soon as my cycle is over getting it checked if its still there.. im just hoping im not freaking out over my shoulders getting injured and making my muscles tense and go to the doc and waste everyones time!!
note that if its still there i will go to the doc. i am not expecting anyone to give me medical advice just to say if they know when the rule of thumb is for self exams and if they have had any experiences of lumps coming and going(for all those that like to accuse me of being reckless for asking medical questions here)
2 people like this
2 responses
@sweetie1026 (1718)
• Philippines
31 Jan 10
I was told by the doctor that it is best to do it after our period. I have had this experience before as well as my daughter, so to be sure we went to the doctor and had an examination. The good news is that these lumps are normal. They appear before our menstrual cycle then dissappears after. But i suggest that you go and see a doctor just to be sure. It is always better to take extra care when it comes to our health.
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
6 Feb 10
sorry to hear about your sister.. im glad you all are being very careful now.. i thought it was suppose to be done after but no one else could remember so im glad i was correct on that.. i ended up going to the doc for it afterwards and it was a simple cyst but still scary!!
@Hoshi_Reed (257)
• Brazil
1 Sep 10
It is after. During your cycle your hormones can peak and you can get a small amount of milk produced which can full a duct and would feel like a lump.
Try asking your doctor for one of those tags you hang off the shower head that can remind you to do it. If you are one who gets "blind" to every day stimuli (You will forget even though you will see the thing every time you take a shower) Try and get a bottle of shampoo/body lotion/other product you use regularly with exactly the amount you would use in a month's time span, keep the tag on the new/refill bottle so when you pick it up you will have the reminder at the right time.
