Let’s talk about boobs.
Yes, you read that right.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and that means you should pay more attention to your breast health than ever. No matter who you are, male, female, trans, non-binary… anyone can get breast cancer. Unless you have had a complete double mastectomy, you have breast tissue. This means that you can get breast cancer.
1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. That means if you’re a woman reading this, without any personal or family history of cancer, there is a 12% chance you will develop breast cancer in your lifetime. This number is even higher for women who have already beat cancer once, or have immediate family history of breast cancer.
Thankfully, there are ways to prevent breast cancer. Last year, the Mayo Clinic released a list of ways to reduce your odds of developing breast cancer. Some of the tips reduce the risk of cancer in general, and they all improve your overall health. To lower your risk of breast cancer, limit alcohol, don’t smoke, control your weight, be physically active, and avoid exposure to things that are known to cause cancer. Hormone therapy for menopause symptoms, and some forms of birth control can also lower your risk.
No matter how many preventive steps you take, the most important way that you, on your own, can prevent breast cancer is by performing breast self-exams. Women of all ages are encouraged to perform a self-exam monthly. 40% of women with diagnosed breast cancer felt a lump themselves before diagnosis. Knowing your own breasts is important. You need to know what your healthy breast feels like to know something is wrong.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation suggests that when performing a self-exam, you check yourself in three different positions- standing up in front of a mirror, lying down, and in the shower. There are five simple steps…
Step One: Look at your breasts in the mirror. Keep your shoulders straight, and put your hands on your hips. Ideally, your breasts will be their usual size, shape, and color. While breasts do have some variations, they should be relatively evenly shaped, without visible distortion. Some things to look out for are dimpling or puckering of the skin, an inverted or misshapen nipple, or redness, soreness, a rash, or swelling. If you notice any of these, call your doctor right away.
Step Two: While still in front of the mirror put your arms all the way up in the air, and look for the same changes.
Step Three: While you’re at the mirror, carefully inspect your nipples for any signs of fluid coming out of them. This discharge could be watery or milky. It may be clear, white, yellow, or even look like blood. If you notice fluid coming from your nipple, call your doctor.
Step Four: Lay down, flat on your back. Use your opposite hand for opposite breast (left to right, right to left). Keep the other arm under your head. Use a firm touch with the pads of your fingers, and go in a circular motion. Cover your whole breast- top to bottom, side to side. Take your time. Use light pressure for the skin and first layer of tissue, then medium for the tissue in the middle, and finally firm for the deepest breast tissue. Breast tissue is naturally a little lumpy, but if you notice any large or unusual lumps, call your doctor. While you’re laying down, check your nipples again.
Step Five: Many woman find the actions in step four easier to do while the skin is wet and slippery, and prefer to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the hand movements from step four.
Breast self examinations are an important way to find breast cancer early, when it’s more likely to be treated successfully. Remember that every breast is different, so knowing your healthy breast makes it much more likely you’ll notice something wrong.
Big or small, let’s save them all. Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month!