BREAST CARE
85% of breast cancers happen in women who DON’T
have a family history of breast cancer. WE ALL have a chance
of getting breast cancer but more women are surviving breast
cancer more than ever before.
THREE EASY STEPS = 95% pick-up rate
1) Do breast self exam. YOU know what is “normal” for
you. In fact, you are better at finding abnormal lumps
than medical providers because early cancer often feels
like normal tissue. LOOK and FEEL for CHANGE that STAYS!
Check at the END of your cycle which is also a good time
to schedule mammograms because the breasts tend to be less
tender and lumpy at this time of the month. If
you don't have periods, "BILL time is breast time". When
you pay your bills, do your breast exam.
FIRST: LOOK at your breasts
in the mirror with your hands raised over your head. Look
for pulling, redness, scaling of the skin. Make sure that
there isn't a CHANGE in their usual look or position.
SECOND: FEEL your breasts and press firmly with
flat fingers. You'll feel lumps. They're normal. Other
areas to check include the base of your neck on the inside
of your clavicles and in your armpits.
THIRD: If you have lumpy, bumpy breasts
that are hard to feel, check before your period WHEN the
breasts are most tender and lumpy. Compare at the
end of the same period. At this point, the lumpy
stuff you felt earlier in the week should be smaller and
less tender. If you feel something that is CHANGED and STAYS noticeable,
you should follow it and if it's staying, you need to see
a health care provider. Remember, most of the time,
even if something is found, most of the time it will
not be cancer.
2) Do mammograms yearly starting at 40 years old. If
you have a family history of early breast cancer,
start mammograms 10 years before the earliest family member's
onset. You don't want a mammogram because of radiation?
Yes, you are exposed to radiation when you have a mammogram. But
you get just as much radiation if you fly from California
to New York. This means that the radiation
risk is VERY small.
3) After age 35, see a provider on a yearly basis
for a breast exam or ANYTIME you feel something new that
is not going away.
DISCLAIMER:
The previous should not replace the advice of your health
care provider. If you have concerns about your
health, please contact them.
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