How do you find out? - Cancer: Breast Message Board

a/bit/scared · 01-13-2007, 01:39 PM

Hi there, I was just wondering, how can you tell/find out if you have breast cancer? Like, if you're shy about your body and such and don't really want to go see a doctor, are there any at home methods for checking? And one another thing, I've heard that breast cancer can be passed down but skips a generation, like, so if the grandmother died from breast cancer it would be passed down to the grandchild, just wondering if that's true? Because my gramma died when she was 34 from breast cancer. Can anyone help?

Titchou · 01-13-2007, 06:57 PM

No, it does not "skip" generations. Anyone can get breast cancer. But since your grandmother had it, you are at greater risk. You need a mammogram to see if there are any abnormalities in your breasts. They will send the results to you and your doctor. And no, there are no "home methods" to determine if you have breast cancer. You have to see a doctor.

MariaBB · 01-13-2007, 07:19 PM

I've read that the only way to be 100% sure if you have breast cancer is by having a biopsy done. However, biopsies are pretty far along in the process. You should try one of those self breast exams (search online), and see your doctor. Depending on your age and symptoms your doctor may recommend a screening mammogram. If anything questionable shows up she'll order a disgnostic mammogram and maybe an ultrasound. That's as far as my saga went, but if anything questionable turned up on the diagnostic my doctor would have ordered a biopsy. There is no do-it-yourself way to tell if you have breast cancer. Even if you have a lump there is a good chance that it is not cancerous. The most important thing is to see your doctor and put your mind at ease.

a/bit/scared · 01-16-2007, 03:34 PM

Ok, hey, thx for that, I'm just worried because I really don't want any cancer of any sort and all. I'll look into everything, so again, thx a bunch!