As many of us may know, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Many of us either know or have heard of someone we know that has breast cancer. With breast cancer being one of the leading causes of death among women, it is important to routinely check your breasts for any abnormalities that may result in cancer.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. In the United States alone, over 252,710 women will be diagnosed, with over 40,500 of those women sadly not beating the cancer. In simple words, breast cancer is no joking matter.
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While it is important to make appointments with your OB/GYN to schedule regular mammograms, there is one extra step that can be taken to help detect breast cancer, and that is to do regular self-exams on yourself. Johns Hopkins Medical center states, “Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump…” No one knows your own body better than you do, therefore it is important to be familiar with breasts in case you feel any suspicious lump.
Examining your breasts only takes a few minutes out of your day. Use the pads of your three fingers to massage all around the breast tissue, making sure to feel the area around the armpit as well. This can be done when taking a shower or while lying down.
Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Medical Center
Doing these steps puts yourself one step ahead of fighting breast cancer. Every breast is different, so it is essential that you are familiar with how yours shape and feel. It is important to remember that not every lump you feel will be cancerous; however, if you are keeping a look out you may be able to catch the signs of cancer early.
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