October is observed around the world as breast cancer awareness month. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide and one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women in Cayman.
It is also a leading cause of death from cancer but this does not have to be as through early detection many breast cancers can be successfully treated.
There are several methods to detect breast cancer. Breast health starts with knowing your breasts so that you are more likely to notice changes that could lead to a problem. By the age of 20, a woman should have developed the habit of practising monthly breast self examination (BSE) or monthly breast awareness checks.
The role of breast self-exam in the detection of breast cancer is controversial and there is no evidence to suggest that it has reduced the number of deaths from cancer. However, BSE when done on a consistent, monthly basis has helped women become more aware of what is ‘normal’ for their bodies and their breasts in particular and has aided in the detection of breast cancer in some women.
What are some of the advantages to BSE? BSE encourages women to be proactive about their health. It is relatively quick, it can be done wherever you are and it is something every woman can do regardless of her income level or insurance coverage as it is free. It takes 10 to 15 minutes a month and it can save your life.
The disadvantages of BSE are that women may worry if they think they have found a lump and they may incur extra doctor visits. Women should remember that more than 80 per cent of all lumps are not cancerous. Over time they will learn what is normal for them. The cost of an extra visit to the doctor is negligible in comparison to the cost of a cancer diagnosis.
FYI
For more information on how to do breast self-exam talk with your doctor or contact the Cayman Islands Cancer Society at 949-7618. Alternatively, you can attend a district awareness clinic or evening meeting organized island-wide during the month of October by the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens.
Breast self-examination
Breast self-exam involves looking and feeling for change.
LOOKING for change should be done standing in front of a mirror with your hands on your hips and again with your hands raised above your head. You should look for:
• Changes in the size or shape of your breast – be sure that there is no visible distortion or swelling.
• Breast discolouration including redness, pinkness or a ‘bruise’ that does not go away.
• Changes in the appearance or texture of the skin.
• Changes in the position of the nipple including a change in direction in which it points.
• A rash.
FEELING for change is best done standing in the shower and again lying on the bed after a shower.
You should use your right hand to check your left breast and your left hand to check your right breast. You use all of your fingers except for your thumb and little finger. You want to use the tops of the fingers, keeping them flat and together.
There are several different ways to feel for abnormalities including a circular method where you apply pressure and cover the entire breast using gradually decreasing circles. You should repeat this two to three times on each breast to be certain you cover the entire breast using increasing pressure each time as lumps may be hidden deep within the breast tissue.
You are feeling for a lump in the breast or a lump or thickening of the surrounding area including under the armpit, the tissue up to the collarbone and as far down as the top of the rib cage.
You should also gently squeeze your nipple to ensure that there is no nipple discharge that is not associated with breast-feeding.
BSE is an acquired skill and with practice you will become more proficient at doing it.
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