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Against Breast Cancer

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Posted by Betsy Mullen on 4/1/2000 from 205.188.195.27:

In reply to: I have several little lumps under my right arm. posted by Tasia on 3/25/2000 from 205.188.196.39:

Tasia:

I am glad that you posted your message and can certainly understand how worried you are. I am concerned that you may never have had a proper clinical breast exam if none of your health care providers have ever included checking your underarm areas (axilla) when performing a breast exam. We have full instructions on how to perform a proper breast self-examination (BSE) right on this web site and you can register for monthly e-mail BSE reminders here at www.winabc.org.

Breast cancer can spread to lymph nodes in the underarm (axillary lymph nodes) area. I think the best way for you to ease your concern is too make an appointment to see a well-qualified physician who will perform a proper clinical breast examination for you, and who will take a complete medical history from you and fully and understandably answer all of your questions.

Here are some specific information/questions you should discuss with your doctors:

1. Do you have a family of breast cancer?

3. Do you have any known risk factors?; Do you know what some of the breast cancer risk factors are?

You have already eliminated one known risk factor, which is not having a child before the age of 30.

3. Do you know how to do a proper breast exam? You can receive this information and register for monthly breast self-exam reminders right on our web site (www.winabc.org)

These are all things to think about and discuss with your health care team. We would be happy to send you educational materials, free of charge regarding breast self-exam, breast health, understanding breast changes, questions to ask your health plan about exemplary care (found on our web site under help yourself – 10 key questions for women to ask their health plans), breast cancer myths and much, much more depending upon your needs.

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER: It is very difficult to render an opinion without knowing all the facts of any one particular case. But one strong recommendation we would like to make is that you pursue your question(s) with your own physicians. You should feel fully empowered to obtain a satisfactory answer and feel free to seek a second or third opinion. We have some great tips on partnering with your health care team and key questions to ask your doctors, communication tips and informed decision-making tips to help you get the information you need. There is a special form on our web site that you can fill out and e-mail to us to help us best meet your needs and you are also welcome to call us at (626) 332-2255. Your information will be kept confidential.

I will close with this thought and a saying of mine: "When in doubt, check it out." Everybody is different and every body is different. You know your body well and are your own best advocate. Pursue any concerns with your health care team. I am a strong advocate of second opinions.

I completely agree with Melissa when she replied to a previous message saying: "If you’re concerned, which I can see you are, set up an appointment to talk with your doctor(s), that's part of their job. Don't walk around feeling unsure and uneasy! It's your life, no one else’s."

I hope that this information is helpful to you and answers many of your questions. Please let us know how you are doing.

Betsy Mullen
President/CEO
WIN Against Breast Cancer

Follow Ups:

• Re: I have several little lumps under my right arm. - Tasia   4/1/2000 (1)
  • Re: I have several little lumps under my right arm. - Betsy Mullen   4/2/2000 (0)

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