do you do breast self-exams after mastectomy

ohilly
ohilly Member Posts: 441
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had a double mastectomy and have not been doing breast self-exams. My breast surgeon asked me if I was doing them, but then she said I didn't 'have to.' I feel like I probably should be doing them, but I go see my onc and breast surgeon every 3 months and part of me feels they know better what to look for.

I was wondering, do you other women who have had mastectomies still examine your reconstructed breasts yourselves? Or not...

Ohilly

Comments

  • crazylady55
    crazylady55 Member Posts: 92
    #2
    my doc said to do them
    I had a right mastectomy on April 7. I did not have immediate reconstruction because I am going to do radiation. My surgeon told me last week to continue self exams. He said that at this point any recurrence would show up as a lump just under the skin. I go back in a month to see his nurse practioner and to see him in 4 months. Of course I have to do self exams on the left also and today I had a "normal"(haven't heard that word lately) mammogram on the left side.

    The one thing my doctor reminded me of is that we know our bodies better than anyone and even though our bodies have changed it is important to be familiar with the "new" us. I found my lump through self exam (actually my hubby found it) so "we" will definitely continue self exams.
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #3
    crazylady55 said:

    my doc said to do them
    I had a right mastectomy on April 7. I did not have immediate reconstruction because I am going to do radiation. My surgeon told me last week to continue self exams. He said that at this point any recurrence would show up as a lump just under the skin. I go back in a month to see his nurse practioner and to see him in 4 months. Of course I have to do self exams on the left also and today I had a "normal"(haven't heard that word lately) mammogram on the left side.

    The one thing my doctor reminded me of is that we know our bodies better than anyone and even though our bodies have changed it is important to be familiar with the "new" us. I found my lump through self exam (actually my hubby found it) so "we" will definitely continue self exams.

    I can't remember what or if
    I can't remember what or if I was told anything about that but I continue to do a self exam every once in a while.
  • dlavelle10
    dlavelle10 Member Posts: 1
    #4

    I am now wondering if I should be doing monthly self exams since I have had a bilateral mastectomy and the diep flap reconstruction?

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #5
    dlavelle10 said:

    I am now wondering if I should be doing monthly self exams since I have had a bilateral mastectomy and the diep flap reconstruction?

    YES!

    I also had a bilateral mastectomy with implants --  I do monthly exams.  When I go in to see my Oncologist or Plastic Surgeon ==  they both perform exams as well.

     

    Vicki Sam

  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #6
    VickiSam said:

    YES!

    I also had a bilateral mastectomy with implants --  I do monthly exams.  When I go in to see my Oncologist or Plastic Surgeon ==  they both perform exams as well.

     

    Vicki Sam

    My sister

    My sister just had her surgery end of July.She had a double masectomy.Cancer in both breasts.She is bragging about no more mammos. She said that is the best part.No more for the rest of her life.

    I promised I would do self exams but did alack off.I've found several tumors through the years and my husband found one.Those were benign.Doctors also found a few. Just this one itty bitty cancerous one was found during a mammo.Doctor had checked me just 5 months before but it was very very small.  

    Lynn Smith    

  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #7
    I do

    I had DCIS, so my cancer was confined to the milk ducts. I had a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction. I am told to do monthly exams on myself and get a clinical exam once a year. In the clinical exam the doctor feels my chest, armpits, and up my neck.Because I had DCIS with BMX, I am told that ultrasounds and MRI's are not needed unless there is somethign suspect that pops up. Once a year,my dentist does a screening for oral cancer as well (the dentists in that office do it regardless of history of cancer or not).

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