First Aid for Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

Excluding skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common among women, and is the leading cause of death in women ages 35-50 in the US. Generally, only 5-6% of the cases are genetic- so all women need to be aware of the warning signs, whether cancer runs in their family or not. Women are encourages to give themselves monthly breast exams, and receive a yearly mammogram (40+). Men are also at risk for breast cancer, although it is far rarer.

Are you at risk?
While every woman is potentially at risk, these are some identified factors that have been linked to breast cancer.

· Starting menstruation early in life, or having menopause later in life.
· Hormone replacement therapy for 5 years or longer after menopause.
· Not having children at all, or having them past age 30.
· Family history of breast cancer.
· History of fibrocystic disease, ovarian or endometrial cancer, or exposure to ionizing radiation.
· Ethnic background- Caucasians have the highest incidence of breast cancer.
· There is inconclusive data as to whether oral contraceptives are linked to breast cancer.
· Obesity is sometimes linked to breast cancer.
· Self-Exams and Doctor Visits

Although most women discover lump or other abnormalities while performing a self exam, it’s still important to get checked out by a doctor a couple times a year. Doctors can help find things that you yourself might pass off as being normal or a sign of aging- such as a thickening or asymmetry, or they may notice a small lump that you had missed. Doctor visits for these exams only need to occur a couple times a year- so it’s important to learn how to correctly perform a breast exam on yourself, so that you’re up to date with your body between visits. Exams should be done by you each month- shortly after the menstruation period (before menopause), and additional information on how to do an exam is usually found at your health providers’ office.

Lumps

What exactly is a lump, what should you look for? In the beginning a lump will be moveable beneath the skin- not greatly, but it will not be firmly attached to any muscle. This lump will, to the touch, be painless and non tender. As time progresses the lump will become attached to the muscle, and will not be moveable. In some cases the skin will dimple or retract, showing signs of cancer. If you find a lump, contact your doctor immediately. There are several ways to determine whether or not it is cancer- mammography, thermography, and ultrasound are the main three. A breast biopsy is used oftentimes for confirmation. If a lump is found to be cancerous, treatment comes in the form of a lumpectomy or mastectomy and is followed up often by chemotherapy, radiation, or endocrine therapy.

Below are the basic steps to a self exam, if you’ve ever been examined by your doctor, you should notice that the techniques are similar.

The Five Steps of a Breast Self Exam

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

Here’s what you should look for:

· Check that your breasts are their normal size, shape, and color.
· Be certain they are evenly shaped without any visible distortion or swelling.
· If you see any of the following changes, quickly bring them to your doctor’s attention: dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin.
· Nipples that have changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out) are also reasons to be concerned.
· Any redness, soreness, rash, or swelling.

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3: While you’re at the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb a and check for nipple discharge (this could be a milky or yellow fluid or blood).

Step 4: Next, lie down with one hand behind your head. Using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast, gently (but firmly) probe the

extended breast, pressing lightly, with the first few fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Begin near the armpit and move in a circular clockwise pattern inwardly toward the nipple. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side—from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage. Gently feeling for lumps or thickenings. Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast.

You can also begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. Or you could move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn.

Be sure to feel all the breast tissue: just beneath your skin with a soft touch and down deeper with a firmer touch. Begin examining each area with a very soft touch, and then increase pressure so that you can feel the deeper tissue, down to your ribcage.

Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the

easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.

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Friday, July 8, 2011

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