Breast cancer survivors, even those who had a mastectomy, should continue to perform self-exams on a monthly basis. Recurrence can be found in the form of a lump or increased thickness in the breast, on the chest wall, or in the lymph nodes in the armpit and above/below the collar bone. Recurrences usually occur within the first 5 years of treatment. The oncologist is your friend. Welcome a breast exam.

Not to alarm you, but I know of three different women who had bilateral mastectomies, and whose recurrence was found by their onco during a manual breast exam.

Mine use to do them but then I went through some training to be a BC counselor and realized he wasn't doing it near deeply enough! And if I had been a heavy woman he'd need to press even deeper!!! He was way too gentle with it. Kind of a joke really. You'd think a doctor would know how to perform an adequate breast exam. Learn how to yourself and practice regularly. This is a great video http://youtu.be/IVSgZ6dvCJg

My oncologist does a manual breast exam every visit which is every 3 months. So does my radiation oncologist. I am always getting felt up :)

I jus had my 1st 3 month checkup & my oncologist did a manual exam. I had a bilateral mastectomy & she told me it's the only way to check for recurrence. She also said I should be doing self exams & looking for lumps, changes to my skin color or pain I'm chest area and the lymph node area under my arms. If I do, I am supposd to. cotact ASAP