BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Breast Cancer Healthy Breasts at 40, 50, and 60

There's a really interesting article in More magazine that has some great info on how to keep healthy and be aware of changes in our bodies as we get older - Health Breasts at 40, 50, and 60. It stresses the importance of self-exams which I do not do often enough and I know that I should. How many of you do regular self exams or do you wait for a doctor's visit?

Hi and thank you for this info. I saw the article too and thought it was pretty good. There is, however, a recent flurry of information about breast self exams not being as worthwhile as we've been taught. I have REALLY mixed feelings on this, from a personal standpoint, because I discovered a cancerous lump on self exam and still believe BSE's are a valuable tool. I'm sure we'll be hearing lots more on this issue in the months to come. Meanwhile, here's an article on the subject:

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Thanks for sharing this. I've read a few other articles also suggesting that self exams aren't necessary, but like you said I'm not sure how I feel about that. I think that self exams can only help and they make us become more aware of our bodies and changes that might occur. At least both articles are in agreement with that and they recommend getting a mammogram. I've heard many stories of women discovering a lump doing a self exam to dismiss it.

Well I'm one of those women who found the lump during a self-exam exactly six months after a mammogram supposedly said the breast was healthy.
I say it don't hurt to be safe! Examine yourself and see your doctor regularly and educate yourself. And prayer don't hurt, either! That's the best plan, I think.

Is it true that small breasted women are more prone to breast cancer?

Hi Vishenda,

No, not to my knowledge.