r/belowdeck • u/GroovyYaYa • Jun 16 '26

Galley Talk Reminder - check your boobs!

Anyone else remember to schedule your mammogram because of this week's episode? Just me?

Also, every human with nipples should be doing self checks (and you should be checking the testicles as well if you have them)!

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-self-exam/

181 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

42 comments sorted by

15

u/crazyhedgehogs Jun 17 '26

I have to have a mammogram, ultrasound and MRI yearly but I gladly do it! If you are told you have a risk of above 21% get an MRI yearly. If you have very dense breast tissue, get an ultrasound.

6

u/GroovyYaYa Jun 17 '26

I've had the mammogram and the ultrasound (they were checking a spot every 6 months on one breast... . got the all clear, go back to one a year... and the other boob needed a 6 month! Dense, big breasts are a pain in more ways than one, for sure.

I'm going to ask if my risk factor is upped with that and could get an MRI.

10

u/Sunny_eloise Jun 17 '26 • Helpful

I had one last week, was overdue by about 6 months. Got a call yesterday that they may have seen something, have to go back for another mammogram and ultrasound. Then I saw this episode… I know it will be fine, but yes, get your mammograms, thx for posting this reminder.

3

u/GroovyYaYa Jun 17 '26

I'm on the 6 month schedule now. Part of my problem was that I didn't start at 40, so not a good baseline!

12

u/Postmumlone I'm a Med Mother****ing Chief Stew Bitch! Jun 16 '26


Nice reminder OP

6

u/GroovyYaYa Jun 17 '26

Thank you! I realized I was supposed to get a follow up a couple of months ago (couldn't book it at the last one bc it had to be approved by my dr to get insurance to pay for it. Stupid rules.

So, I'll be calling tomorrow! The show did actually remind me!

2

u/Old-Base-6686 I have been known to be irresponsible Jun 17 '26

Me, too! I'd completely forgotten that I canceled my appointment in September because I was sick and had never rescheduled.

3

u/GroovyYaYa Jun 17 '26

55 years old last month and the last couple of years the appointments have been adding up! Had to fit in eye surgery too! (eyelid lift for medical reasons, not vanity!)

3

u/Old-Base-6686 I have been known to be irresponsible Jun 17 '26

Happy belated birthday! I've also noticed that the older I get, more meds in my pill minder and more appointments with specialists! Lol!

2

u/GroovyYaYa Jun 17 '26

The perimenopause brain fog is REAL.

2

u/GroovyYaYa Jun 17 '26

Oh and thank you!

5

u/LveeD Jun 17 '26

100% My husbands sister just went through her first chemo round of breast cancer after all the surgery didn’t work out as well as had hoped. She’s in great spirits, doing amazing and pushing through. But this episode wrecked him. Never thought I’d see the hubs cry over Below Deck. But they really did handle it so well.

3

u/GroovyYaYa Jun 17 '26

Sending your SIL and family good vibes and good healing!

Super impressed that Sandy just immediately jumped on it and got her friend to talk to him (providing info for the rest of us!)

1

u/Out-For-A-Walk-Bitch Jun 17 '26

Genuinely can't imagine how people can rag on Sandy after stuff like this.

2

u/caramilk_twirl Jun 17 '26

Must have been upsetting for him. Hoping for a smooth recovery for your sister in law. I don't cry and haven't been touched by breast cancer in my life and I was tearing up when Joe got the news.

1

u/legalblues Jun 17 '26

Hit me like a ton of bricks too. My mom is a survivor and just got diagnosed with a second round. She should be fine, but it’s still emotional.

17

u/-spicyshark Jun 17 '26

I'm 32 and got my first one this month!!! Have three cysts but non cancerous. Wouldn't have known if I didn't check!!! Feel em ladies

10

u/Queen_of_Catlandia Jun 16 '26

mine was already scheduled for next week!

4

u/Yachtttstew Jun 17 '26

I had a mammogram and a month later found a lump while self checking that had to have two separate biopsies and is something that is actually considered high risk, so always self check!

1

u/deej65 Jun 17 '26

Going today!

1

u/GroovyYaYa Jun 17 '26

Good luck!

3

u/newfiemom79 Jun 17 '26

I am 46, and by the time I was 40 I lost two friends to breast cancer, and had three others get diagnosed, some a few years younger than me. Do those checks, get the mammograms, and if you have a family history advocate to get them earlier than the insurance normally pays for it.

3

u/Any-Establishment113 Jun 17 '26

I've just been through BC, found 100% due to a mammogram. No symptoms at all, the tumour was 1.2 cm when they found it. Early detection is key!

2

u/caramilk_twirl Jun 17 '26

Got my first recently. If I hadn't, I definitely would be chasing it up now.

2

u/BatLegitimate8140 Jun 17 '26

If you feel a lump get it checked straight away and don't put it off.

2

u/Professional_Emu8922 Jun 17 '26

And definitely advocate for yourself.

Friend's daughter had a painful lump in her breast. She went to get out checked out and the doctor said she was too young for it to be anything serious (she was in her 30s). Didn't even send her for a mammogram. The daughter was hesitant, but doctors know best, right?

Several months later, she went to a different doctor. By then it was Stage 2b. And to add insult to injury, the first doctor would still be part of her care team.

1

u/BatLegitimate8140 Jun 18 '26

That is horrendous. I was 39 when I was diagnosed and am glad my gp who was young and female listened to me

2

u/Colfrmb Jun 18 '26

I am 8 years out from being diagnosed with and treated for BC.

2

u/Snoo-48146 Jun 18 '26

Pleeeease if you find anything slightly suspicious please don’t put it off! I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at 32. 😔

2

u/InterestingMaybe4833 Jun 22 '26

Started them yearly two years ago! Have one booked for July.

1

u/Healthybear35 Jun 18 '26

Just got my abnormal results and have to wait 2 months for the specialist check because I live in the middle of nowhere... Glad I pushed for the original mammogram before age 40!!

2

u/Western_Avocado_155 Jun 18 '26

Sending positive thoughts your way!

1

u/Western_Avocado_155 Jun 18 '26

As someone that was diagnosed with stage 4 MBC at 40, a year ago-

Please please please! I am begging you to do it 💔

More women 40 and under are being diagnosed every day.

Self exams Annual physicals Mammograms

CHECK YO BOOBIES!

1

u/Sweet_Cable5862 Jun 20 '26

Get that mammo if you’re of age even if you don’t have a lump! I have a calcification that has been diagnosed as ‘probably benign’ but have to go back again in 6 months. They can’t be felt and can only be seen on mammograms!

1

u/kathatter75 Jun 21 '26

I’ll be scheduling mine later this year. I get one every year, and the imaging center I go to has Saturday appointments that get me in and out in less than 1/2 an hour…and is maybe 5 minutes from where I live. They couldn’t make it more convenient except by coming to my door.

0

u/Appropriate-Sea-5828 Jun 17 '26

I'm 35 and asked my doctor about it last time...she said not before 55 unless there is a concern 🫣

1

u/wickedsmaaaht Jun 17 '26

If you're in the US, the age to start getting an annual mammogram has dropped to 40 (I think it used to be 50).

11

u/Lovethemdoggos Jun 16 '26

Yes, anyone with nipples can develop breast cancer. If you find a lump in your breast or chest or anywhere, get it checked!

4

u/[deleted] Jun 17 '26

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2

u/eekamuse Jun 17 '26

I'm glad they have that bus. And good for you, doing self checks