Empowering Yourself Through Breast Cancer Awareness
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The history of Breast Cancer Awareness month began in 1985 by the American Cancer Society. Over time, it has broadened into a month-long event. It is important to educate and learn how to be proactive with advocating for our wellness. Outside of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for women in the United States of America. Many women discover by a diagnostic annual exam, known as a mammogram. There are symptoms that women can notice by doing self-home monthly exams. It is important to have clinical exams by your physician too.
Symptoms
In some cases, there are symptoms and other cases there may not be any noticeable symptoms. The following list some symptoms that are found during monthly self-exams:
When conducting your self-examination, pay attention to:
- Changes in the shape of breast or size
- New lumps or masses in breast or underarm
- Pain in any of the breast
- Nipple discharge other than milk (blood, etc.)
- Skin changes (dimpling, redness or peeling)
Risk Factors
- Being a woman (<1% of men will be diagnosed with breast cancer too)
- Getting older (most breast cancer is found in women over 50)
- Family history
- Having knowledge of changes in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
Lower Risk Factors
The CDC recommend the following to lower risks:
- Keep a healthy weight and be physically active.
- Choose not to drink alcohol, or drink alcohol in moderation.
- If you are taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills, ask your doctor about the risks.
- Breastfeed your children, if possible
How to Conduct a Self-Exam
Self-Exams begin by looking at your breasts
Sit or stand shirtless and braless in front of a mirror with your arms at your sides. To inspect your breasts visually, do the following:
- Face forward and look for puckering, dimpling, or changes in size, shape or symmetry.
- Check to see if your nipples are turned in.
- Inspect your breasts with your hands pressed down on your hips.
- Inspect your breasts with your arms raised overhead and the palms of your hands pressed together.
- Lift your breasts to see if ridges along the bottom are symmetrical.
If you have a vision condition that makes it difficult for you to visually inspect your breasts, ask a trusted friend or a family member to help you.
Next, use your hands to examine your breasts
Common ways to perform the manual part of the breast exam include:
- Lying down. Choose a bed or other flat surface to lie down on your back. When you’re lying down, breast tissue spreads out. This makes the tissue thinner and easier to feel.
- In the shower. Lather your fingers and breasts with soap to help your fingers glide more smoothly over your skin.
When examining your breasts, some general tips to keep in mind include:
- Use the pads of your fingers. Use the pads, not the very tips, of your three middle fingers for the exam. If you have difficulty feeling with your finger pads, use another part of your hand that is more sensitive. This may include your palm or the backs of your fingers.
- Use different pressure levels. Your goal is to feel different depths of the breast by using different levels of pressure to feel all the breast tissue. Use light pressure to feel the tissue closest to the skin, medium pressure to feel a little deeper, and firm pressure to feel the tissue closest to the chest and ribs. Be sure to use each pressure level before moving on to the next spot. If you’re not sure how hard to press, talk with your healthcare professional.
- Take your time. Don’t rush. It may take several minutes to carefully examine your breasts.
- Follow a pattern. Use a methodical technique to ensure you examine your entire breast. For instance, imagine the face of a clock or the slices of a pie over your breast. Begin near your collarbone and examine that section, moving your fingers from the outside edge of the breast toward your nipple. Then move your fingers to the next section.
The Mayo Clinic recommends, “you have a condition that makes it difficult for you to examine your breasts using this technique, you likely can still do a breast self-exam. Ask your healthcare professional to show you ways you can examine your breasts.”
Taking Charge of Your Health
Breast cancer awareness month is to advocate, educate ourselves and communicate the urgency to others. It is also to stress the importance that early detection is the key and also support. Let’s stand together and increase awareness and empower each other and regain charge of our health. If you are in the Tallahassee or Big Bend area, please feel free to read the Tallahassee Democrat article regarding Breast Cancer Awareness which also gives great information and local activities (1-mile Walk). If you or a loved one are experiencing a catastrophic or chronic illness and need estate planning, long term care planning or government benefit advice, call local elder law attorney at The Sketchley Law Firm (850)-894-0152.
