How important is being breast self-aware, and how do we know when a lump is a lump? Did men really invent the female vibrator to treat female “hysteria”? And what does it mean when your eczema suddenly appears on your face?

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Belinda Yeo, a medical oncologist and clinician scientist, to find out why Australia has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the world. She explains why the vast majority of cases are not genetic, debunks the myth that mammograms cause cancer and explains what to do if you find a lump (and why it’s not your job to diagnose it). 

We cover everything from what it means to have dense breasts, why breast changes happen across your cycle, how to use lifetime risk assessment tests and if the headlines about using honey bee venom or the mucus of axolotls to treat breast cancer has any truth. 

Plus, we dive into the fascinating medical history of how and why doctors invented the vibrator to induce “hysterical paroxysms” (and save their tired fingers). 

And, Dr Mariam answers a listener’s question about why her eczema has suddenly migrated to her face and what might be the real culprit… 

 

THE END BITS

All your health information is in the Well Hub.

We understand that conversations about cancer can be difficult, whether you're navigating your own diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or remembering someone you've lost.

If today's episode has brought up difficult feelings, please reach out. 

Breast Cancer Network Australia has a helpline you can call on 1800 500 258. They also have resources to support patients at every stage of their breast cancer experience.

The Cancer Council offers a confidential support line staffed by specialist nurses, and you can call them on 13 11 20.

For more specific information on the topics we discussed today, organisations like the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the McGrath Foundation and the Cancer Council provide incredible support and resources. You can also learn more about the work of Dr Belinda Yeo at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute. 

Dr Belinda Yeo recommends BCNA podcast Upfront About Breast Cancer - What You Don't Know Until You Do.

And if you just need to talk to someone immediately, you can always call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Remember to be kind to yourself, and please don't hesitate to seek support.

 

GET IN TOUCH

Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon.

Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here.

Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room.

Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok.

Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber

CREDITS

Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam

Guest: Dr Belinda Yeo 

Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Video Producer: Julian Rosario

Social Producer: Elly Moore

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.

 

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How important is being breast self-aware, and how do we know when a lump is a lump? Did men really invent the female vibrator to treat female &ldquo;hysteria&rdquo;? And what does it mean when your eczema suddenly appears on your face?
In this episode, we talk to Dr. Belinda Yeo, a medical oncologist and clinician scientist, to find out why Australia has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the world. She explains why the vast majority of cases are not genetic, debunks the myth that mammograms cause cancer and explains what to do if you find a lump (and why it&rsquo;s not your job to diagnose it).&nbsp;
We cover everything from what it means to have dense breasts, why breast changes happen across your cycle, how to use lifetime risk assessment tests and if the headlines about using honey bee venom or the mucus of axolotls to treat breast cancer has any truth.&nbsp;
Plus, we dive into the fascinating medical history of how and why doctors invented the vibrator to induce &ldquo;hysterical paroxysms&rdquo; (and save their tired fingers).&nbsp;
And, Dr Mariam answers a listener&rsquo;s question about why her eczema has suddenly migrated to her face and what might be the real culprit&hellip;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
THE END BITS
All your health information is in the <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/well/">Well Hub</a>.
We understand that conversations about cancer can be difficult, whether you're navigating your own diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or remembering someone you've lost.
If today's episode has brought up difficult feelings, please reach out.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.bcna.org.au/">Breast Cancer Network Australia</a> has a helpline you can call on 1800 500 258.&nbsp;They also have resources to support patients at every stage of their breast cancer experience. The Cancer Council offers a confidential support line staffed by specialist nurses, and you can call them on&nbsp;13 11 20.
For more specific information on the topics we discussed today, organisations like the <a href="https://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/pink-hero?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=DIY2025_BCAM&amp;utm_term=pmax&amp;utm_content=campaign_content&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22948530223&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADmEQVzV0VDcEtqwGfAQsZkjK53wG&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwsPzHBhDCARIsALlWNG2UHwD_DlHJelVWINftlo0GWVgCJd2CD_xzXGFRx88PMCe2VFRHphEaAsr0EALw_wcB">National Breast Cancer Foundation</a>, the <a href="https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/">McGrath Foundation</a> and the <a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/">Cancer Council</a> provide incredible support and resources. You can also learn more about the work of Dr Belinda Yeo at the <a href="https://www.onjcri.org.au/about/belinda-yeo/#:~:text=Dr%20Belinda%20Yeo%20%2D%20Olivia%20Newton%20John%20Cancer%20Research%20Institute">Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute</a>.&nbsp;
Dr Belinda Yeo recommends BCNA podcast <a href="https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/podcasts/what-you-dont-know-until-you-do/">Upfront About Breast Cancer - What You Don't Know Until You Do</a>.
And if you just need to talk to someone immediately, you can always call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Remember to be kind to yourself, and please don't hesitate to seek support.
&nbsp;
GET IN TOUCH
Sign up to the<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/well-newsletter/"> Well Newsletter</a> to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon.
Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously<a href="https://jlmf9165xmv.typeform.com/waiting-room?typeform-source=www.mamamia.com.au"> here</a>, email here or leave us a voice note<a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960"> here</a>.
Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in <a href="https://jlmf9165xmv.typeform.com/waiting-room?typeform-source=www.mamamia.com.au">The Waiting Room</a>.
Follow us on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/wellbymamamia/?hl=en"> Instagram</a> and<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@wellbymamamia"> Tiktok</a>.
<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe">Support independent women&rsquo;s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber</a>
CREDITS
Hosts:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/clairemurphyyukich/?hl=en"> Claire Murphy</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ask.the.dr/?hl=en">Dr Mariam</a>
Guest: Dr Belinda Yeo&nbsp;
Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach
Video Producer: Julian Rosario
Social Producer: Elly Moore
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.
&nbsp;
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Well is a podcast about the taboo, the annoying, the embarrassing and the scary. We cover the concerns you’re probably considering seeing a doctor about, from insomnia to weird periods to how to prevent dementia. 

The full body health check for the Australian woman, hosted by Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam.

Well. The podcast for every woman with a body. 

Well is a podcast about the taboo, the annoying, the embarrassing and the scary.&nbsp;We cover the concerns you&rsquo;re probably considering seeing a doctor about, from insomnia to weird periods to how to prevent dementia.&nbsp;
The full body health check for the Australian woman, hosted by Claire Murphy&nbsp;and Dr Mariam.
Well. The podcast for every woman with a body.&nbsp;

Well.

Breast Lump Red Flags, Face Eczema & Why Men Invented Vibrators

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/1c0a44d4-2cd8-43cd-847b-b3380065d3fb/transcript

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