[Joanne S]

Debbie,

If I had not performed a self breast exam I would not have been diagnosed with BC. The lump I found was beyond the image area of the mammogram by 1/4 - 1/2 inch. It was located at 5 o'clock position, very deep behind the mammory fold, next to the chest wall. Several woman I know, discovered their cancer during BSE.

After I found my cancer through BSE, I have had chemo, surgery, and radiation---all to improve my survival.

Please clarify "Yes, one can find cancer when doing BSE. But finding cancer in this way does not appear to improve survival." ? Why wouldn't it appear to improve my survival?

Additionally your own signature profile on this sites indicates "large axillary node found by my husband"?

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Debbie, This was a little confusing. You indicated, "CBE (clinical breast exam, done by a professional) does not appear to offer any additional benefit over mammography, if both are done. " However, the Summary of Recommendation of the site you indicated is as follows:
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1. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening mammography, with or without clinical breast examination (CBE), every 1-2 years for women aged 40 and older.
2. The USPSTF concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routine CBE alone to screen for breast cancer.
3. The USPSTF concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against teaching or performing routine breast self-examination (BSE).

Release Date: February 2002









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Following is some of the information I found:

Breast cancer can, and does, induce anxiety in women. However, to discount breast self examination as a detection tool because it results in more biopsies or creates temporary stress, or because guidelines are inconsistent, is unconscionable. Women have been “taught” that early detection of smaller tumours is their best chance for survival. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/art...?artid=1125608




Regular breast self-exam can help you know how your breasts normally feel and look, so you can notice any changes. When you find a change, you should see your health care provider. Most breast changes or lumps are not cancerous, but only a health care provider can tell you for sure. When breast cancer is found early, you have more treatment choices and a better chance of recovery. National Women's Health Information Center http://www.4woman.gov/faq/bsefaq.htm




An Early Breast Cancer Detection Plan should include:

• Clinical breast examinations every three years from ages 20-39, then every year thereafter.
• Monthly breast self-examinations beginning at age 20. Look for any changes in your breasts.
• Baseline mammogram by the age of 40.
• Mammogram every one to two years for women 40-49, depending on previous findings.
• Mammogram every year for women 50 and older.
• A personal calendar to record your self-exams, mammograms, and doctor appointments.
• A low-fat diet, regular exercise, and no smoking or drinking.

National Breast Cancer Foundation http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/...ancer-symptoms





Saturday, August 04, 2007

Breast self-examination – The best defence against breast cancer!

...
Breast self-examination helps in detecting breast cancer early, when it is more treatable and women should check their breasts regularly for any changes in size, shape, lump, tenderness or nipple discharge and consult a healthcare professional, if they find anything unusual with their breasts.
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Cancer News Network
http://cancernewsnetwork.blogspot.co...t-defence.html





Early Detection is your Best Protection
Survival rates are as high as 97% when found early. Therefore the importance of early detection through breast self-examination, regular clinical breast exams and periodic mammograms can not be overemphasized.

The FDA has approved the Aware breast self-examination (BSE) kit. This can help make BSE easier to do and is something you can do for yourself. Click for more information.
Most Breast Problems are found by women themselves

Breast Cancer Information Center http://awarebse.com/

The FDA has recently approved the Aware BSE kit as an aid in Breast Self Examination. We believe this kit will help make it much easier to conduct BSE each month. It is designed to arm you with the facts, and therefore, remove the fear. The kit also comes with easy illustrations, which will give you the confidence to do it right. Today we know that the best chance of curing cancer is to detect it early.