Breast Cancer Patient Shares ‘Trick’ For Detecting Lumps in a Viral Facebook Post

Meet Hayley Browning, a 27-year-old who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Browning discovered she had breast cancer after using an unorthodox technique for a self-examination. Normally, doctors recommend doing a check in the shower or in front of a mirror while standing up. However, if Browning had stuck to that advice, she never would have found the lump in her breast.

In a now viral Facebook post, Browning is sharing her “trick” for finding lumps in hopes that she could help save a few lives.

“I could only feel the lump whilst lying down and it completely disappeared standing up,” Browning wrote on Facebook. “Most websites tell you to check for lumps in the shower but if I had followed this advice, the lump may have grown too large to be treatable. Not even the surgeon could feel my lump when I was standing up.”

The post has been shared over 155,000 times with many social media user commenting on how important the trick is. Many user are also sharing their own personal stories in the comments.

“I’m sure your discovery will enable more women to find lumps and get treatment sooner God bless and keep you,” one user wrote.

“Thanks Hayley! I’ve also just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Mine was invisible. Good luck with you treatment. We can both kick cancer’s butt!” another user shared.

According to BreastCancer.org, about 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12 percent) will develop invasive breast cancer at one point.

Hopefully, Browning’s post will help educate others about breast self-examinations and checking for lumps.

“So, this is a call out to all women to check for lumps lying down, as well as standing up,” Browning wrote on Facebook. “As I think about my long journey ahead and the chemotherapy I will undertake, I want to reach as many people with this message and help find more #LaidBackLumps.”