October month is breast cancer awareness month. So, all ladies, sit up and listen! As so many of you, I didn't do regular self breast examinations. Purely because I told myself that I wouldn't know what a lump would feel like. Now I do and believe me you'll know as well if you feel one. Please be aware of any changes, in any shape, form or colour of the breast or nipple - INVESTIGATE! You'll never be able to stop the cancer but you will be able to detect it early, if you are a candidate. And the earlier the detection, the more can be done.
I urge you to do a self examination at least once a month and here is how to (so no more excuses!):
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:
- Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color
- Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling
If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:
- Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
- A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)
- 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, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).
Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter.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.
Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel 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.
I hope the explanation and pictures will help. If you are worried, feel a lump or see any changes, make an appointment with your doctor immediately. But rest assured that 90% of lumps are benign - lots of times only fluid sacks that can be drained. Remember that one in every nine woman would be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
Good luck to all my wonderful family members and their friends that's going to do the breastathon walk this Sunday. I know that this walk is so much more that just the completion of 5km of walking....
Have a wonderful weekend and let’s support all those great causes that help with breast cancer research and treatment.
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