Breast Cancer Self Examination
Breast Cancer is remains the most common cancers affecting woman. Women whose female relatives have had breast cancer are more likely to be victims than women from families in which breast cancer is not present. The disease appears to be linked statistically also to women who do not have children before their 30s or who do not have any children; to mothers who do not nurse their babies; to women who reach the menopause later than normal; and to women who began menstruation earlier in life than normal. There is increasing evidence also that ovarian activity may play an important role in the development of breast cancer. Women with ovarian tumors and women who use supplementary estrogen have been shown by some studies to be at increased risk, while the process of having many children and nursing them, which suppresses estrogen hormone activity, is associated with a decreased risk of developing breast cancer.
Breast cancer usually begins in the ducts of the milk glands; the first noticeable sign is a lump in the breast. The lump may appear anywhere in the breast, but the most common site is the upper, outer quadrant. Such lumps are not necessarily or even usually cancerous, but a biopsy must be performed to check the tissue involved.
Breast cancer can be detected early enough by self-examination procedure. Some 95% of breast cancers are discovered by the patient herself when she notices a lump. A routine of monthly self-examination is helpful in detection a breast cancer. One must consult a physician immediately if find out the least indication of a lump.
The American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute recommend that every woman follow a prescribed method of self-examination just after the menstrual period, continuing every month after the menopause. The procedure consists of carefully looking at and feeling the breasts, and takes only a few minutes.
Prescribed Self-Examination of the Breasts by American Cancer Society
- Examine breasts during a shower or bath; hands glide easier over wet skin. With fingers flat, move the left hand gently over every part of the right breast, then the right hand over the left breasts. Check for any lump, hard knot, or thickening.
- Before a mirror, inspect the breasts with arms at the sides, then with arms raised. Look for any changes in the contour of each breasts, a swelling, dimple of the skin, or changes in the nipple. Then rest palms on hips and press down firmly to flex the chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not match exactly – few women’s breasts do. But regular inspection will show what is normal for you.
- While lying down with a pillow or folded towel under the right shoulder and with the right hand behind the head, examine the right breast with the left hand. With fingers flat, press gently in small circular motions around an imaginary clock face. Begin at 12 o’clock, then move to 1 o’clock, and so on around back to 12. A ridge of firm tissue in the lower curve of each breast is normal. Next, move in an inch toward the nipple and keep circling to examine every part of the breast, including the nipple. This requires at least three more circles. Then repeat the procedure slowly on the left breast with the pillow under the left shoulder and left hand behind the head. Notice how the breast structure feels. Finally, squeeze the nipple of each breast gently between thumb and index finger. Any discharge, clear or bloody, should be reported to a physician immediately
Always remember that early detection of cancer will greatly increased the chances of successful treatment.
November 22nd, 2008 | Tags: breast cancer, breast self examination | Category: Womens Health
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