Early
detection is the key to curing breast cancer. The American
Cancer Society makes the following recommendations:
1.
An annual MAMMOGRAM, starting between
the ages of 35 and 40. After age 40 , annual mammography is
recommended.
2.
An annual breast examination by your physician or a qualified
health care practitioner.
3.
Do monthly BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONS.
SIGNS
OF BREAST CANCER
Inverted nipples
Breast Lump
Skin changes such as dimpling inward of the skin
Discoloring of the areola
Nipple Discharge
Skin thickening
Assymetry of the breasts
STATISTICS
Breast cancer is the second leading cancer in American women.
Breast
cancer claims more than 43,000 American lives each year.
1
out of 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.
If
breast cancer is detected in its earliest stages, 9 out of
10 women will survive.
RISK
FACTORS
Breast cancer can occur in both men and women but the incidence
inwomen is much higher.
Family
history of breast cancer.
Starting menstrual cycle before age 12.
Having a late menopause (after age 55).
Never having had children.
Having first child after age 30.
Previous history of breast cancer.
Additional
factors which may increase the risk of breast cancer include:excessive
alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, environmental factors ,
etc.
SELF-EXAMINATION
The American Cancer Society recommends that you perform a
monthly Breast Self Examination.
There are several techniques that can be used for Self Examination.
The following represents one technique which has been shown
to be effective. This can be done laying down, sitting up,
or in the shower. Take one arm and raise it above your head,
with the other hand, take the tips of your fingers and gently
press the area around the nipple, while making a circular
motion that will move outward to the outer portion of the
breast. (Feel for any lumps or anything that feels different
from the month before.) This should extend to the axilla area.
Then repeat this with the other breast.
You
may want to examine yourself in the mirror to make sure that
there is no abnormal skin changes such as dimpling or discoloration.
Both breasts should appear relatively symetric.
If
you should find an abnormality, notify you doctor immediately
so that they can evaluate the problem and begin diagnostic
testing.
MAMMOGRAPHY
This diagnostic procedure should be performed initially between
the ages of 35 and 40. Beginning at age 40 annual mammography
is recommended.
The
mammographic exam uses low doses of radiation to visualize
the breast tissue. Two views of each breast are obtained.
The first position looks at the breast in a head to foot or
cranial-caudal position, and the second position is from side
to side or medial-lateral.
A
compression paddle is used for the mammogram. This serves
several purposes. It immobilizes the breast and compresses
the breast tissue so that small nodules can be better seen
and less radiation is required topenetrate the breast tissue.
The mammogram is not extremely painful but may be uncomfortable
for some women especially at certain times at their menstrual
cycle. A woman may be able to decrease the discomfort of mammography
by scheduling her exams during certain times of her menstrual
cycle. Caffeine ingestion may also increase breast sensitivity.
Some physicians advocate oral vitamin E to decrease breast
sensitivity.
As
with any x-rays examinations you should avoid having mammography
if you are pregnant or breast feeding. If there is a problem
with the breast that can not wait until after delivery, your
physician may still recommend a mammogram, but this may be
limited to just one breast. This will limit radiation exposure.
In women who are breast feeding , it is preferable to wait
at least 6 months after breast feeding has stopped.
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