by www.thealternativecancertreatment.com
In general about 1 in every 12 women will contract breast cancer at some age, the odds of contracting it later in life being greater. Thanks to modern medicine many breast cancers can be treated successfully without impacting the life in a major way. However, the success of one’s treatment depends critically on early detection. The earlier breast cancer is detected the better off you are. One simple way to increase your odds of early diction is performing a breast self examination on a regular basis.
The goal of breast self examination is to detect changes which might signal a condition worth investigating more closely, either with a professional clinical exam, mammogram or other diagnostic aid. Those changes might indicate an abnormality. But to judge what’s abnormal, it’s essential to know what constitutes normal. That varies from individual to individual, though there are commonalities.
The first element to a proper self-exam is to know what your own breasts feel and look like in general. Every aspect of the body changes in subtle ways on a regular basis. During the menstrual cycle those changes may be exaggerated. Breasts can become enlarged or more sensitive. Start your self-exam a few days after your period every month so it becomes a habit. For post-menopausal women, choose the same day every month to perform the exam.
Stand directly in front of a mirror naked and inspect your breasts visually. Look for any changes in the size of just one breast. Typical menstrual cycles and other changes that are hormone related will typically affect both breasts simultaneously. Look for any changes in size or color of your areola (darker skin around nipple) or nipple. Take note of any wrinkling, or “orange peel” appearance that is not related to cold temperature. Most areola are round, look for any lack in symmetry.
Squeeze a nipple gently and note any fluid that comes out. Some lactation is normal in some women. But yellowish, pus-like fluid is a reason to call your physician for a closer look. It may be a simple infection or it could be an early sign of a developing tumor. Repeat the procedure for the other nipple.
Continue to observe the breast looking for tumors. Make sure and feel the entire surface of the breasts with your arms lowered. Don’t just observe the surface from the breastbone to the side, but also up toward the armpit as well. Press the breasts firmly with the finger pas and move the hand slowly trying to feel for any thickening or lumps in the breast.
Not all lumps are cancerous, in actuality most of them aren’t. A lump could be a simple cyst- which is a fluid filled tissue sac. Often the can be moved slightly and are round. These are benign, but you might want to have them removed regardless. Some will fade away spontaneously over time.
Cancerous lumps tend to be harder and less regular in shape. They are frequently attached to breast tissue. Not all hard lumps are cancerous either, so don’t be unduly alarmed. Many are just what are called fibroadenomas, a benign clump of cells. Professional tests are required in order to know for sure.
Be particularly aware of any lumps which change in size. Cancer is a malignant, uncontrolled growth of cells in tissue. As such, cancer tumors don’t remain static but increase in size and, later, may spread to other parts of the body.
Continue the tactile exam by raising the arms overhead and applying pressure all the way from the breastbone up to the armpit again. Repeat for the other side and breast.
You want to make sure you perform the procedure again, this time while lying down with the arms lowered and then raised overhead. This is again for the observation of any changes, especially tissues that have become hard. The procedure can be repeated in the shower in effort to reduce friction on the skin, but sometimes it is difficult to find changes or lumps when water is splashing on your skin, you might want to use baby oil instead.
Women age 20 and over should be performing breast self-exams on a regular basis, and women over 40 should get a mammogram annually.
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