https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:44:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-637836 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:44:22 +0000 MrsKoala 637836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I worry about it all the time. The mothers of two of my close friends both died of breast cancer and I have fibrocystic breasts so I constantly feel lumps and worry about them. So far, so good but this is something that is always in the back of my mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-637109 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:00:34 +0000 78h2o 637109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: @T-Mom: @MamaMoose: @Mrs. Lemon-Lime: thanks. I think I will call and see what they say about scheduling something. I went to a genetic counselor awhile back and she recommended that I get an MRI and a mammogram/ulrasound yearly, staggered so that I have one or the other every 6 months, so I am very overdue!</p> <p>@highwire: Yeah, my mom's cancer had spread to her lymph nodes as well. She had a mastectomy, chemo, &amp; radiation and has not had a reoccurance in almost 30 years. She blames birth control pills that were higher in estrogen, but I do think there's also something genetic going on in our family (one of my mom's sisters also had ovarian cancer and they are linked). </p> <p>@Mrs Green Grass: I guess the "good" news is that you have a lot of survivors in your family. Same with my family. </p> <p>@mrsjazz: yeah, I'm probably feeling clogged ducts... just freaks me out a little. I usually don't do self exams more than once a month, but I feel like I'm doing one every day with compressions, etc. You are right though, bf'ing is one of the best things you can do. So glad your mom is well!</p> <p>@honeybear: thanks for the link!</p> <p>@2PeasinaPod: glad I'm not the only one freaked out by this! I will definitely try that with the hot shower and checking after nursing. Glad your mom is doing well.</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: Thanks. I'll call and see what they say. Hope your sister is doing well. So scary! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-637053 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:40:28 +0000 DillonLion 637053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lumpy breasts are normal during breastfeeding, as far as i understand. </p> <p>My mom had breast cancer, diagnosed at age 50 (year 2008). She went for yearly mammograms, had a clear scan at 49, and then stage 4 breast cancer that had already spread to her lymph nodes by her yearly exam the following year. She had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. She's been cancer free for almost 5 years now. </p> <p>She did not have the cancer gene. And we are pretty sure she developed cancer because she was taking synthetic estrogen because of her hysterectomy years prior (2004). </p> <p>Either way, I try to keep a good eye on things. Breastfeeding helps reduce the odds of breast cancer so I am trying not to worry about the occasional lumps here and there. Nothing has stuck around for more than a short period of time. If anything comes up that concerns me, I'll be heading to the doctor immediately. And I don't plan on ever taking estrogen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-636965 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:20:50 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 636965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally do. I have one lump on particular that bothers me, but from what I've read, it's probably a cyst. </p> <p>I'm brac2 positive and get a breast MRI every year. My mom, aunt and grandma all had breast cancer. Mom and aunt are survivors, grandma also had lung cancer and did not survive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-636390 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:40:07 +0000 mrsjazz 636390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@78h2o: I actually have been worrying less since I've been breastfeeding. I know that breastfeeding lowers the risk...and even when I feel the lumps now, I know it's usually clogged ducts.</p> <p>I tested negative for BRCA, have had a mammogram but it was totally inconclusive because of the density of my breast tissue, but I've had numerous breast sonograms. I had a cyst but it disappeared.</p> <p>My mom is breast cancer survivor (she was diagnosed at 41). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-636389 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:40:06 +0000 T-Mom 636389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just recently had my first mammogram and the tech said she does nursing moms sometimes. I worry about it too, since my mother's sister died of breast cancer. I would just consult with your physician and continue with your regular mammograms. I also noticed a lot of lumps, even under my armpit, while nursing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-636365 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:33:55 +0000 honeybear 636365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Clogged ducts can be alarming, especially when they don't hurt. I had a little lump that stuck around for nearly a week and kind of freaked me out, but it eventually dissolved. </p> <p>On a positive note: Statistically, breastfeeding is an excellent thing to do if you've got a strong family history of breast cancer. Read up on the Nurses' Health Study findings for some encouragement! :) Here's a link from the NYT: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/health/research/11cancer.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/health/research/11cancer.html?_r=0</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-636357 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:31:56 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 636357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worried in the past until I learned a more accurate family cancer history. My paternal grandmother died at 33 of breast cancer and I had a mass/ lump scare in my mid twenties.</p> <p>If you are concerned get checked out! Peace of mind is a beautiful thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-636354 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:31:24 +0000 MsLipGloss 636354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope! But I obsessively worry about skin cancer! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-636338 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:26:07 +0000 matador84 636338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sometimes. I have a good friend whose sister is only 25 and found out she had breast cancer while she was nursing--not due to nursing. She kept getting mastitis and then they found it. She just had double mastectomy. How crazy is that... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-636319 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:58:19 +0000 MamaMoose 636319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do your breast checks immediately after nursing or pumping. I tend not to feel lumps once I'm empty. If you still feel lumps when your empty I wouldn't hesitate tI ask your OB for some advice </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-636316 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:56:51 +0000 2PeasinaPod 636316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes...both my maternal grandmother and my mom had breast cancer. My mom is a 4 year survivor so far, and had stage 3 breast cancer. So I definitely worry all the time. Especially when I was nursing.</p> <p>What you're feeling are probably your milk ducts. I had a few clogged milk ducts throughout my breastfeeding time, and I was freaked out about them too. I would see if the lumps you feel are still there after you feed. If they are, try a heating pad or a hot shower and massage them to unclog them, and then feel around again! I like to be safe than sorry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-636315 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:56:45 +0000 Mrsbells 636315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@78h2o: Yes because there is a history of breast cancer in my family, But I know that breast feeding actually lowers your chance of getting breast cancer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-636311 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:55:37 +0000 T.H.O.U. 636311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@78h2o: They can do a breast ultrasound while nursing. I too found some lumps and was having really bad sharp pains and I went for an abdominal and breast ultrasound. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-636305 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:54:13 +0000 Foodnerd81 636305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't nursed yet, so I can't answer that question, but I know that my sister could not get a mammogram while BFing or for a certain number of months afterwards (like, 3 maybe). She has a history of cancer, though not breast cancer, so her doctor advised her to stop BFing after a year in order to limit the amount of time between mammograms (basically from before she got pregnant until a few months after weaning). But like I said, she specifically has a personal history of cancer, hence the specific concern for it. </p> <p>I don't worry too much about it, but I do wonder how you would detect something during pregnancy and BFing, since like you, my breasts are definitely not their normal, even just pregnant. Your doctor can probably advise you on when you should get back in for a test. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-worry-about-breast-cancer#post-636285 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:46:42 +0000 78h2o 636285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since I've been breastfeeding, my breasts feel different to me and sometimes I think I feel lumps. I imagine the "lumps" are milk ducts or something, but I have a very strong family history of breast cancer, so it kind of freaks me out. My mom survived an aggressive form of breast cancer (stage III or IV) that she found while nursing when she was 33 or 34 (I'm 34). Two of her sisters have had breast cancer as well, though they are negative for the BRCA gene.</p> <p>I usually have a mammogram every year, but I haven't had one in awhile. I don't know if they can do it while I'm nursing?? I guess I will call and see for peace of mind...</p> <p>Does anyone else worry about this? Do your breasts feel different/lumpier since you started nursing? </p>