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| Detection
of breast cancer at early stage is very important.
The earlier a breast cancer is detected, the better
the chance of survival. The following methods of detecting
breast cancer are: |
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| Breast Examination
by your Physician (Clinical Breast Exams) |
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All women should have
regular breast examinations by a doctor or a nurse
annually, more frequently for women who have a
high risk status. A skilled examiner can detect subtle changes in the breasts
that the women herself might not notice. |
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| Breast Self Examination
( B.S.E) |
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B.S.E is one of the
best tools available for discovering breast cancer
in the early, most treat able stages .Make a monthly
self- exam part of your regular routine.
B.S.E should be performed once a month after your
menstrual period, when Breast are not tender or
swollen, if you are not always regular, do it on
the same day every month. Don’t get upset
if you feel some lumps or hardness, that’s
normal, it is also normal if your breast are not
exactly the same size.
Before going to perform the actual process of B.S.E,
let us describe, what you look for? |
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A
lump in the breast, which is usually single, firm,
and most often painless or local thickened area. |
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A
portion of the skin on the breast or underarm swells
and has an unusual appearance. |
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Veins
on the skin surface become more prominent on one
breast. |
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An
unusual increase in size of one breast. |
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The
breast nipple becomes inverted, changes in skin
texture, or has a discharge other than breast milk. |
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A
depression is found in an area of the breast surface. |
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Swelling
of the upper arm. |
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A
rash or eczema on the nipple or around it. |
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| How to Do a Bresat
Self-Examination? |
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| IN THE SHOWER |
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Fingers
flat , move gently over every part
of each breast. |
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Use
your right hand to examine left breast,
left hand for right breast. |
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Check
for any lump, hard knot or thickening.
Carefully observe any changes in your
breasts. |
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| BEFORE A MIRROR |
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Stand
in front of the mirror with both arms
by your side and look closely at both
of your breast |
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Look
for changes in size, color or texture.(
these may be signs of inflammatory
Breast Cancer) |
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Look
for any changes in contour of each
breast, a swelling, a dimpling of skin
or changes in the nipple. Then rest
palm on hips and press firmly to flex
your chest muscles. Left and right
breasts will not exactly match - few
women's breasts do. |
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| LYING DOWN |
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Place
pillow under right shoulder, right
arm behind your head. With fingers
of left hand flat, press right breast
gently in small circular motions, moving
vertically or in a circular pattern
covering the entire breast. |
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Pay
attention to any change (lumps, bumpy
texture. Tenderness) |
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Use
light, medium and firm pressure. Gently
press the nipple and check for discharge
and changes in the nipple itself. |
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After
you examine your breast, move to your
underarm ( lymph node area) and look
for changes there. |
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Follow
the same procedure on your left side. |
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| TIPS |
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Examine
your entire breast & under arm area. If you
do notice any changes or lumps don’t panic.
Most lumps are benign fibro adenomas or cysts. |
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If
you examine your breast every month you become
familiar with the way they feel and look. That
makes it easier to notice any changes. |
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Make
sure to tell your doctor if you notice any changes
in your breasts. |
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