Lynne, what a wonderful thing for you to do !!!
I would like to throw in my two cents. I now believe that one must use EVERY means possible to check for breast cancer. I actually found my lump while bathing. The doctor did an ultrasound immediately and said it was a solid mass that "looked" highly suspicious. I then went through 5 sets of mammograms at home and 3 in Boston - not one showed the lump ! A biopsy confirmed the cancer. Then I did a series of MRIs, that not only showed the original lump, but a second lump and ductal carcinoma as well. It was all caught super early, thankfully.
I should add that my breast had felt "weird" for a few months prior to the diagnosis - it was really itchy and just didn't feel right. Which is my I was doing breast exams pretty regularly.
So BE vigilant and use every method you can. And advocate for yourself if you need to. Don't be embarrassed. ( I was fortunate that my doctors jumped on this in no time. )
The great news is that in the US, most breast cancers are treatable and/or curable. We are a lucky lot, here. So don't be afraid. Know that you have an arsenal of weapons and the earlier you can start using them the better !!!
BTW - I was 46 at diagnosis, and stage one, grade one. My oncologist, who has been practicing in Boston for over 40 years said that I was the only woman that he could think of in his practice who found such an early cancer with a self-exam ( but I had solid tumors ).
