About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. If breast cancer is found early, there are more treatment options and a better chance for survival. Women whose breast cancer is detected at an early stage have a 93 percent or higher survival rate in the first five years. This is why it is so extremely important to do monthly self breast exams and also go to your routine yearly check ups as well. Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump. If you find a lump, schedule an appointment with your doctor, but don't freak out 8/10 lumps are not cancerous. But always be sure to call your doctor just to be safe. Also, if you have a family history of breast cancer or are over the age of 45, you should then get annual mammograms. Mammograms can help you detect cancer before you can feel a lump.
Many breast cancer symptoms are invisible and not noticeable without a professional screening, but some symptoms can be caught early just by being proactive about your breast health!
Show your support and wear pink for breast cancer awareness month and also do your best to spread the knowledge off this blog..EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES!
Listed below are the ways that self-breast exams can be performed.
Using the pads of your fingers, move around your entire breast in a circular pattern moving from the outside to the center, checking the entire breast and armpit area. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, or hardened knot. Notice any changes and get lumps evaluated by your healthcare provider.
Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.
Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women’s breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.
When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently in small circular motions covering the entire breast area and armpit.
Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.
"Supporting the fighters. Admiring the survivors. Honoring the taken. And never, ever giving up hope."
Leave a comment