This article is me telling you to feel yourself up. Right now. Do it. It will save your life and if you tell your best friends, sisters and mothers do it as well, it could save theirs. Breast cancer has become a growing issue for the women of this world and it is starting to affect more and more people. Early dedication is KEY in successfully beating breast cancer and it is as simple has spending a few minutes a day getting know how your breasts normally feel so that you know when something isn’t normal. There is no good reason to not give yourself daily self breast-exams so that you will know right away when something doesn’t feel right.
Here is information from www.health.com showing the appropriate way to give yourself a breast exam:
“Use three different levels of pressure to feel all of your breast tissue. Light pressure is needed to feel the tissue close to the skin surface. Medium pressure is used to feel a little deeper, and firm pressure is used to feel your tissue close to your breastbone and ribs. A firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast is normal. Use each pressure level to feel your breast tissue before moving on to the next spot.
Check your entire breast using a lengthwise strip pattern. Feel all of the tissue from the collarbone to the bra line and from the armpit to the breastbone. Start in the armpit and work down to the bottom of the bra line. Move one finger-width toward the middle and work up to the collarbone. Repeat until you have covered the entire breast. Repeat this procedure for your left breast.
You also can examine your breasts using a spiral pattern. Again, use three different levels of pressure to examine all your breast tissue. Avoid lifting your fingers away from the skin as you feel for lumps, unusual thicknesses, or changes of any kind.”
These are some warning signs that you should consult your doctor about if you experience any of them during a self breast exam:
- Any new lump. It may or may not be painful to touch.
- Unusual thick areas.
- Sticky or bloody discharge from your nipples.
- Any changes in the skin of your breasts or nipples, such as puckering or dimpling.
- An unusual increase in the size of one breast.
- One breast unusually lower than the other.
YOU are your best chance of finding a lump and taking action. Be PROACTIVE and give yourself daily breast exams. Please Join Her Campus UMaine in the fight against breast cancer & feel yourself up DAILY!
Saturday, October 22nd, 2011 HerCampus UMaine will be partnering up with local students and organizations to bring the UMaine Breast Cancer Fundraiser back to Curva for a night of raging for a cause! Special guest Lazerdisk Party Sex will also be performing!