Alternative Cancer Treatment - How To Do a Breast Self-Exam?
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In general about 1 in every 12 women will contract breast cancer at some age, the odds of contracting it later in life being greater. Thanks to modern medicine many breast cancers can be treated successfully without impacting the life in a major way. However, the success of one's treatment depends critically on early detection. The earlier breast cancer is detected the better off you are. One simple way to increase your odds of early diction is performing a breast self examination on a regular basis.
The purpose of breast self examination is the detection of any changes which could signal that something is worth of more investigation, either with a professional clinical exam, a mammogram, or another diagnostic method. The ability to judge and determine what is abnormal relies on the knowledge of what is normal, and this varies from person to person even though there are some commonalities.
The first step in conducting a proper self-exam is to know what your own breasts feel and look like in general. Each and every part of the body goes through subtle changes on a regular basis. Throughout the menstrual cycle these changes might be exaggerated. Breasts may become enlarged and even more sensitive. If you start your self-exam a few days prior to your period every month it will become a habit. If you are post-menopausal you should choose the same day each month to perform the exam.
Stand in front of a mirror unclothed and make a visual inspection. Look for changes in the size of only one breast. Normal menstrual cycles and other hormonally related variation will usually affect both the same. Look for any changes in size or color of the nipple or areola (the darker skin around the nipple). Note any wrinkling or 'orange peel' appearance that is not due to cold temperature. Most areola are round. Look for any lack of symmetry.
Squeeze a nipple gently and note any fluid that comes out. Some lactation is normal in some women. But yellowish, pus-like fluid is a reason to call your physician for a closer look. It may be a simple infection or it could be an early sign of a developing tumor. Repeat the procedure for the other nipple.
Continue to observe the breast looking for tumors. Make sure and feel the entire surface of the breasts with your arms lowered. Don't just observe the surface from the breastbone to the side, but also up toward the armpit as well. Press the breasts firmly with the finger pas and move the hand slowly trying to feel for any thickening or lumps in the breast.
Not all lumps are cancerous, in actuality most of them aren't. A lump could be a simple cyst- which is a fluid filled tissue sac. Often the can be moved slightly and are round. These are benign, but you might want to have them removed regardless. Some will fade away spontaneously over time.
Cancerous lumps are typically harder and less regular in their shape and size. Typically they are attached to breast tissue. Not all hard lumps are cancerous either, so don't get yourself worked up. Many are what are called fibroadenomas, a benign clump of cells. Professional testing is required to know for sure what you have.
Be very aware of any lumps that you notice changing in size. Cancer is malignant, uncontrolled growth and reproduction of cells in tissue. Cancerous tumors do not remain static, but instead increase in size and later can potentially spread to other areas of the body.
Continue the self exam by placing the arms overhead and then applying pressure all the way from the breastbone up to the armpit again. Repeat this process on both sides of the body.
While lying down you should perform the procedure again. First lower your arms, and then raise them overhead. Make sure to feel any changes, especially in instances where tissue has become hard. The procedure can also be done in the shower in an attempt to reduce the amount of friction on the skin, but I can sometimes be difficult to find changes or lumps with water beating up against your skin. You might want to use baby oil or lotion to reduce friction instead.
All women over the age of 20 should be performing breast self-exams on a regular basis, and women over 40 should get a mammogram annually.
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