Ask the Sexpert: Dec. 2, 2010

Dear Sexpert,

I was conducting my monthly breast self-exam in the shower and I think I felt a lump. I’m totally freaking out, but multiple friends have told me that self-exams are worthless and that I definitely don’t have cancer. Are they right?

— Scared in Scully

Dear Scared,

I may not be able to tell you whether you have cancer or not just by reading your e-mail, but what I can tell you is that the best thing for you to do right now is to breathe deeply and not let yourself be overwhelmed by anxiety. Almost everyone experiences this kind of nervousness, and in the vast majority of cases, it is just a case of hypochondria: A left arm twinge seems to indicate a heart attack; a splitting headache, a brain aneurysm.

The thing is, though, we were taught these warning signs for a good reason: so that when we start to feel like something about our bodies is not quite right, our instinctive sirens go off. To some extent, your friends are right. Breast self-exams, unlike testicular self-exams, are not particularly well-regarded for catching breast cancer early. According to the National Institutes of Health, “there is no evidence that doing breast self-exams saves lives from breast cancer.” And that statement makes sense when you consider that breast tissue has fat, mammary glands and other anatomical structures that could feel suspiciously like a lump to an untrained examiner. Finding a lump the size of a bead on a testicle is easy. Finding a lump the size of a bead in a breast is much harder.

The issue of screening for breast cancer becomes much more important as a woman ages. Though there has been some controversy recently over whether a yearly mammogram is completely necessary, medical professionals still recommend that all women over the age of 40 should get a mammogram once every two years. Some women have to be more vigilant than others, specifically those who are at greater risk for developing breast or other cancers because of a family history. For these women, intensive cancer screening may begin well before age 40.

I don’t know your medical history, but I think you should definitely make an appointment as soon as possible with University Health Services, at least for your peace of mind. A medical professional will not only be able to give you a proper breast exam, but will also show you the correct procedure for performing a self-exam if you wish to continue doing them at home.

— The Sexpert

The Sexpert is written by a team of peer sexual health educators and fact-checked by University health professionals. You can submit questions to sexpert@dailyprincetonian.com. Don’t be shy!