Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer accounts for 1/3rd of cancers in women.The risk of breast cancer increases with positive family history, use of hormone therapy, alcohol and high fatty intake and genetic predisposition. Breast cancer is seen in middle-aged women usually between 40-60 yrs.It presents with lump in breast, which is hard and irregular. It can be diagnosed during routine breast examination and mammography. Clinical Breast Exam (by physician) Age 20 – 40       Should be done every 3 yrs Age >40            Should be done yearly Breast Self-Examination Can help early identification of any problem Breast self examination should be done regularly; once a month is often enough. The best time to do it is right after a menstrual period. Remove your clothing above the waist, and then sit or stand in front of a mirror. Let you arms hand loosely by your sides. Examine your breasts carefully in the mirror, looking for any changes in size or shape. Look also for any dimpling or puckering of the skin, and for any changes in the outline of the breasts. Raise both arms above your head. Examine your breasts from different angles; look for any changes since your last self-examination. Check the nipples, too, for any signs of discharge or bleeding. Now lie down on your bed with your head on a pillow. Put a folded towel or small pillow under your left shoulder, and put your left hand behind your head. Use your right hand to examine your left breast. Keep your fingers together and use the flat part of the fingers, not the tips, to feel the breast tissues. Imagine the breast as having four quarters and start by examining the upper, inner quarter as shown in the photograph. Starting at the breastbone, press gently by firmly and use small circular motions with your hand, looking for any lump or thickening or anything unusual. Work your way slowly to the nipple. Examine the area all around the nipple, too. Now, using the same technique, examine the lower, inner quarter of your left breast. Start from the breastbone and also from the ribs below the breast, and again work your way slowly to the nipple. You will find a ridge of firm flesh in this quarter. This is perfectly normal ! Move your left art from behind your head and bring it down to your side. Explore the lower, outer quarter with your right hand, working your way from the ribs below and at the side of the breast, inwards to the nipple. In the same way, examine the upper, outer quarter. And finally, use the flat part of your fingers to feel your armpit. Search for lumps or swellings. You have now completed the examination of your left breast. To examine the right breast, put the folded towel under your right shoulder, and place your right hand behind your head. Use your left hand to explore your right breast quarter by quarter, just as you did for your left breast. Start with the upper inner quarter, and work your way around using small circular motions. Don’t forget to move your right arm down to your side before examining the outer half of the breast. If you find a lump or any other change in your breast, take an appointment to see your doctor. Don’t worry unduly; most lumps and changes in the breast are not due to cancer. But it is always better to confirm the diagnosis, so consult your doctor immediately. By Dr. Neharikaa