I HIDE BREAST RASH FROM HUBBIE

Dear Coleen

I’m a 54-year-old woman and I’ve noticed that one of my boobs looks different to normal – it’s like I’ve got a rash on it. It looks so awful, I’m embarrassed and have been hiding it from my husband.

I’m trying to keep covered up around him and it’s making me distant from him. He keeps asking if everything is OK, but I just can’t face showing him what’s wrong – what shall I do?

Coleen says

You sound really worried, so I think you need to see your doctor as soon as possible. If you notice anything unusual about one of your breasts, it’s important to get it checked. As for your husband, he loves you and will want to support you so, even if you don’t show him the rash, you should tell him about it. He’s already noticed you’re acting differently, which shows he cares and he’s inviting you to confide in him. Marriage is about sharing everything – your hopes and your fears.

If you carry on hiding this from him, he may start to jump to other conclusions – for example, he may start to worry that you’re not happy in the marriage.

Also, I think you have to ask yourself honestly if it really is embarrassment or if it’s fear that’s stopping you from telling your husband. Perhaps you know that if you do tell him, he’ll make you go to your GP.

I promise you, the more you avoid it, the more you’ll worry about it and the more strain it’ll put on your relationship.

Good luck.