A Quick Breast Cancer Overview
- Victoria Johnson
- Oct 31, 2015
- 2 min read
October is Breast Cancer awareness month, as many of you probably already knew. In conclusion to October, here are some cancer facts and steps of how to conduct a breast exam to help keep you healthy.
Breast Cancer Statistics:
Cancer is the second leading cause of death of women in the United States
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Only lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in women.
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Every year, over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer. More than 40,000 will die.
Breast cancer in men is rarer than in women, but about 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and about 410 will die.
Women over fifty are at the highest risk for breast cancer.
Non-Hispanic white women are more likely to develop breast cancer than other ethnicities of women.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer:
When the tumor is small, breast cancer produces no symptoms aside from a very small lump. No pain, no odd coloration, no discharge. This period is when breast cancer is most easily cured, and why you should regularly execute a self-exam.
When the cancer has grown to a more sizable lump, it can occasionally cause the breast area and underarm to swell.
As the cancer progresses, breast pain or heaviness might occur. It might also feel thicker and appear red in pigment.
Nipple abnormalities can include discharge (especially if bloody), inversion, or tenderness.
It is important to note that pain does not indicate the presence or absence of breast cancer, and occasionally lumps can indicate a problem other than cancer.
How to conduct a breast exam:
Place a pillow under your right shoulder. Place your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the tips of your fingers in small circles around your right breast. Make sure to cover the entire breast area as well as the armpit.
Use light pressure and firm pressure to gauge for lumps. Squeeze the nipple to check for discharge.
Repeat process with your left breast, placing the pillow under your left shoulder, and placing your left arm behind your head. Use your right hand to examine your left breast.
Sit up or stand. Emulate the steps listed above in an upright position, making sure to check both the breasts and the armpits.
Once these steps are completed, in front of a mirror with your breasts exposed and your arms to your sides. Look for discoloration, lumps, swelling, and nipples that have changed direction.
After checking your breasts with your arms down, lift your arms above your head and examine how they look in the mirror. Check again for discoloration or lumps, and ensure that there is no discharge.
Part of the breast exam
This isn't just about "saving second base": it's about saving the woman as a whole, and helping those afflicted suffer as little as possible. If you want more information about breast cancer, feel free to check out the links in this article, or reach out to me.
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