Luckily the doc didn't seem alarmed but she's referred me to a breast screening clinic and my appointment is booked for next Wednesday. I'll be examined and will either have a biopsy or ultrasound to determine the innocence of the lump. She's quite certain it's a cyst but to be on the safe side I'm off to the Royal Berkshire boob squad.
While I was with my GP I was secretly hoping she'd ask about my (new) lifestyle, to which I'd proudly reply 'non-smoker and non-drinker, Doc!' I always used to cringe at the question when asked, 'and how many units of alcohol do you drink per week?' Eeeeeeesssssssssh. Erm....10 units?
'So just over four large glasses of wine per week?'
'Oh, um, more like 15 units then. Definitely no more than 15 though.'
What a lie. I've recently completed the Drink Aware alcohol self assessment and it turns out I was putting away over 40 units of alcohol per week. That's 3,220 calories in booze and a test statement reading, 'your dinking is dangerous to your health.' This was my average consumption until I gave up on July 8th, 2018.
My doctor didn't ask about my drinking (boo) but I left the appointment feeling concerned that my increased guzzling of alcohol over the past three years has had a serious impact on my body. Aside from all of the external tells - dry spotty skin, blotchy red patches and rapidly spreading cellulite - my internal organs would scream at me after a heavy night. Every weekend I'd wake up feeling like I'd been punched in the kidneys yet I'd have a hair of the dog and everything would 'go back to normal'.
Me being me I decided to do some research on drinking alcohol and breast cancer, and no shock horror when I say there's a massive big fat consistent link. In a nutshell via breastcancer.org:
'Research consistently shows that drinking alcoholic beverages -- beer, wine, and liquor -- increases a woman's risk of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Alcohol can increase levels of oestrogen and other hormones associated with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Alcohol also may increase breast cancer risk by damaging DNA in cells.
Compared to women who don't drink at all, women who have three alcoholic drinks per week have a 15% higher risk of breast cancer. Experts estimate that the risk of breast cancer goes up another 10% for each additional drink women regularly have each day.'
Compared to women who don't drink at all, women who have three alcoholic drinks per week have a 15% higher risk of breast cancer. Experts estimate that the risk of breast cancer goes up another 10% for each additional drink women regularly have each day.'
I'm the first to admit my maths sucks, but even I can work out that my old drinking habits could/may have had landed me in some serious shit with my health. I just hope my body realises I'm never going back there and the damage can be repaired. Who even thinks that aching kidneys is OK? What planet was I on?
I know that finding a lump can be a terrifying ordeal but I'm hopeful (based on my doctor's response) that my screening consultation will go OK. I'll be posting the results as and when they arrive so fingers crossed for some good news.
The 'Think pink, live green' column on the breastcancer.org site has some really insightful articles and great advice for keeping your health in mind when tackling high pressured drinking situations (especially during the festive period). Like my first ever hockey social this Saturday which I'm bricking. Full report to come on that too.
Here's a few reads which contain some sobering statistics:
I can't recommend enough to 'know your normal' ladies. It's so important to conduct regular checks on your boobs and if something isn't right then get an appointment booked with your local GP.
Alcohol made me bury my head in the sand for far too long and it wont be happening going forward.
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