Hey ladies! As you know, it’s National Breast Cancer Awareness month. I’m sure that many of us know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Did you know that 40 percent of breast cancer diagnoses are detected by women who feel a lump? (Source: John Hopkins Medical Center)
With that being said, it is encouraged that all women (that means you!) complete a breast self-exam at least once a month. Self-exams are a great way to get familiar with how your breasts look and feel. So ladies, feel yourself up and get to know your boobs! Then if something changes you can alert your health care professional so they can do further testing.
According to the national breast cancer webpage, here are a few ways you can do a breast self-exam.
In the shower
Using two fingers, move around the breast in a circular fashion moving from armpit in towards the nipple. Squeeze the nipples to check for any discharge. Check both breasts and feel for any lumps, thickness or hardened knots.
In front of a mirror
Take a good look at your breasts with your arms at your sides. Then raise your arms high over your head and look for any changes in contour, swelling, dimples of the skin or changes in the nipples. Next, place your hands on your hips and press firmly so your chest muscles are flexed. Don’t worry if your left and right breasts don’t match (most women’s don’t). Again, look for any dimples, puckering or changes.
Lying down
Lie on your bed or any flat surface. By doing this, the breast tissue is able to spread evenly along the chest wall. Put your right arm behind your head. Use your left hand and move your fingers around your right breast in a circular fashion moving from the armpit in towards the nipple. Feel for any lumps, thickness or hardened knots. Squeeze the nipples to check for any discharge. Repeat steps with your left breast.
While these checks are good to do yourself, don’t forget that it’s important to make regular appointments with your doctor for professional exams and check-ups.
Mammograms are the best screening tool to detect breast cancers before they can be felt. This process uses an X-ray to take a picture of your breasts. It helps catch the early stages of cancer and really small lumps that you won’t feel during a self-exam. Mammograms provide the highest chances of survival but usually are given to women over the age of 40 every year.
Clinical breast exams should be given to women 20-39 at least every three years. This exam is usually part of your annual gynecologic check-up. A health care professional will check your breasts and underarms for lumps or to see if there are any changes since your last visit.
Do a breast self-exam every month! It is your way of being proactive and perhaps detecting a cancer in the early stages. If you find a lump, don’t panic. Eight out of ten lumps are not cancerous. But make sure you schedule an appointment with your health care professional if you do feel any lumps or notice any changes so they can complete more testing.
By examining yourself, you’re actively participating in the fight against breast cancer. Every girl should know how to properly give herself an exam, so please share the article with your friends and relatives. Together we can raise awareness, one breast at a time.