My thoughts, as I was reading through this thread:
First, Ruthie, you have beautiful breasts, with nipples that I absolutely covet (mine are so freaking huge from nursing for a sum total of just over 7 years, they could be used to guide in a 747).
Second, and this is for the guys, do not dismiss anything you find/feel in either your breasts or your balls, particularly if the finding is not bilateral (equal in size, texture, and placement on both breasts or both testicles). Do not allow your findings or concerns to be dismissed, and FFS, do not ignore them. I have seen men with scrotal sacs swollen to the size of basketballs who literally waited until they could no longer walk before seeing a physician and undergoing an ultrasound.
Testicular cancer is most commonly found in men ages 15-35, and a testicular self-exam is done in the shower, much like a BSE. Lather your scrotum up with soap, then, using two fingers, start at the midline and move outwards in circles to the thighs. Finally, roll your testicles around between your fingers; you're looking/feeling for any lump, swelling, feeling of fluid shifting inside the scrotal sac, and the skin should feel "normal", not bumpy (a condition called peau d'orange, and a very significant sign of cancer in both BRCA and testicular CA).
Third, those pics of women who have undergone mastectomies and then had a tattoo placed over the scar are both beautiful and brave.
Want to spend some time wallowing in a Recommended Read? Pick one! Or two! Or seven!
A very aggressive form of breast cancer is inflammatory breast cancer. It doesn't present as a lump. The first thing you usually notice is a change in the skin of the breast. It can start to resemble the texture of an orange. Sometimes the breast will feel hot. It is often misdiagnosed as a breast infection in women of child bearing age. So you have to be aware of any changes in your breast, not just lumps. Sometimes there is a discharge of fluid from the nipple. The problem with this type of cancer besides the later diagnoses is that they usually can't do surgery first because it can spread the cancer cells since the whole breast can be involved. This is the type my Mother had. She had to have intensive chemotherapy first, then surgery, then radiation and then more chemotherapy. The treatments almost killed her. Sorry for so much detail and not sure if everything is completely medically accurate but it's worth mentioning since I had never really thought about checking the skin of my breasts before.
To Trinket, a HUGE HUGE HUGE thanks for this thread. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. If just one person is paying attention and learns something or decides to get checked it's worth it.
BTW, I am quite jealous of your lovely breasts. I need someone now to tell me how to get a pink ribbon on my avatar.
I'm almost at the point where I am at a loss for words. Those who know me will tell you that is impossible.
Really, I'm humbled by the generosity of you all, for sharing your stories, your very personal pictures and your scars. That is not easy for most people to do in fact I know a couple of ladies here who posted their breasts and I know for a FACT that under other circumstances they would rather someone chop off their hand than show their boobs and/or scars on public. That's why I'm pushing so hard for RESPECT in this and for this thread. It's not a smutty "come see my titties" thread. It's a genuine public display of support (pun intended) for finding a cure for cancer.
If you DO come here to look at the scenery, please take a minute to read some of the info as well. Yeah I know it's a big ask but you're getting a free show. Read the manual while you're here.
I just want to say thanks to Trinket and everyone here that has been sharing your experience. I have learned and also feeling more human and connected with myself and with others since day one this thread opens.
Topic is so important and it is something that can happen to any of us, but sadly, many think that would not affect me and forget to check and to visit doctor until is very late. I am sure that many of us learned the lesson and now are telling others to take action and to be sure they are ok. At least, I know I am.
Girls you are so brave. Boys, thanks for also sharing about what happens there. Hope and wish that someday a cure is found and also that prevention(check ourselves) becomes so natural and part of us, that even if not cure available no one dies because disease was discovered at good time and eliminated.
And for those that think think this thread is free show. You better think twice because you can be the next one to suffer with Cancer or have some close to you with it and not knowing how to act or support them.