[Becky]

But... at least if you are doing BSE and find the lump you do feel as if you were giving yourself your best shot.

I did find mine and at least felt that at that moment (and every moment of every BSE prior to then and after then) that I was doing myself a good turn - something good for myself and my health. I figure it was better to find it at 1.9 cm (and one positive node) than perhaps several months later at 2.6 cm and 3 positive nodes. It is true that either way, I would probably still be here 5+ yrs later (or not perhaps). However, we are all told over and over again that our prognosis is better the earlier we are diagnosed.

So, I will continue to check my boobies once a month. I've learned the lay of my landscape and my new landscape to know if a new tree is there that was not there before and it gives my mind alittle comfort to make sure its okay. I dread doing it, I have to admit (because maybe something IS there this time) but I do it because I feel it is something I do for my health overall. After all, I've come this far and don't want a brand new bc to take me down just because I didn't even know it was there when I could have.

Everyone's different though.