Breast cancer develops when cells in the breasts proliferate uncontrollably to form a malignant tumor. This type of cancer mainly affects women, although men are not totally excluded. Self-examination is an essential tool to prevent cancer from spreading. Regular self-exams are of great help in preventing or stopping this disease early, just as it is equally important to undergo screening mammograms.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Performing the Breast Self-examination
Step 1. Schedule times for self-examination
Write down on the calendar the date to do the breast self-examination. You should fix one day per month, preferably 5 or 7 days after your period ends. If you undergo this procedure regularly, you are able to understand what is "normal" for your breasts. Put up a reminder in the bathroom or bedroom so you can't forget it. Also, consider keeping a journal to keep track of all your observations and details.
Perform the self-test in a well-lit room
Step 2. Do a visual check
Stand with your hands on your hips and observe yourself in the mirror. Check that the breasts are of the usual size, color and shape. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your gynecologist:
- Noticeable swelling, even if you don't have your period right now.
- Lumps, wrinkles or swelling of the skin.
- Inverted nipples.
- The nipples are not in their usual position.
- Redness, rash or tenderness.
Step 3. Raise your arms and repeat the same visual examination
Check for nipple discharge. If so, check the color (yellow, clear) or consistency (bloody, milky) of the liquid. Be especially careful if material comes out of your nipples even when you're not squeezing them. See your doctor if discharge is clear, bloody, or leaking from only one nipple.
Step 4. Touch your breasts
Lie down, join the index, middle and ring fingers of your right hand together and start feeling your left breast with your fingertips, making short circular movements around the circumference of about 2 cm. Palpate the entire breast, from the collarbone to the abdomen. Then, starting in the armpit, move towards the breastbone. Repeat the whole procedure with the opposite hand on the other breast. Make sure you touch the whole area, following a vertical striped pattern. When finished, sit or stand and repeat the same steps, again analyzing both breasts. Many women prefer to do this last step in the shower.
- Pay particular attention to lumps and other abnormalities. You should tell your doctor that any mass you can feel is present.
- You should touch the entire surface of the breast, applying light, moderate and firm pressure each time. In other words, touch the breast with light pressure and then repeat the same circular motion with medium and finally stronger pressure. At the first pass you can perceive any superficial nodules, with a medium pressure you feel the intermediate tissue layer and with the strongest one you reach the tissues near the ribs.
Step 5. Be aware of disputes
Some research shows that self-examination only increases concerns and biopsies. Consult your doctor about this, he may simply recommend that you familiarize yourself with your breasts, so that if there are any changes you will notice.
Part 2 of 3: Knowing the Risk Factors
Step 1. Understand the importance of risk factors
For breast cancer, early detection is key. If you have any risk factors, you need to make sure you do self-examination regularly. You should also have a mammogram if you feel any lumps, if you know you are at risk or if you are over 40.
Step 2. Assess your genetic predisposition
As mentioned, women are more likely to get breast cancer than men. Also, if you have first-degree relatives (such as your mom or sister) who have had breast cancer, your chances are higher. Also keep in mind that there are certain inherited genetic mutations that can predispose you more to this disease. The genes responsible are BRCA1 and BRCA2. Studies have found that 5-10% of breast cancer cases are due to genetic mutations.
- In the United States, white women have a higher risk of getting this cancer.
- Some ethnic groups are more prone to BRCA gene mutations. Among them are the Norwegians, Icelanders, the Dutch and the descendants of Ashkenazi Jews.
Step 3. Know how it affects your medical history
There are many aspects of health conditions that can affect the risk of getting breast cancer. Women who have already had it are more likely to relapse. People who have had radiation to the chest area at an early age also have a higher risk. In addition, there are other factors that influence the onset of this carcinoma, such as an early menarche, before the age of 11, as well as a late menopause, which begins beyond the average age; even if you undergo hormone therapy after the onset of menopause or have never given birth, you run a higher risk of breast cancer.
Step 4. Keep in mind that lifestyle affects the likelihood of getting sick
Obese people, for example, are more predisposed; women who consume an average of three alcoholic beverages a week are 50% more likely to be affected by this disease. Furthermore, smokers, and especially women who start smoking before the birth of their first child, have a higher risk.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Breast Cancer
Step 1. Go to the gynecologist regularly for an examination
During the annual checkup, the doctor also performs a breast exam to check for lumps or abnormalities. If she finds anything unusual, she typically recommends a mammogram.
- If you cannot go to a gynecologist for financial reasons, remember that there are many facilities that can help you undergo preventive examinations and examinations. For example, family clinics or some associations for women offer consultations, services and sometimes it is also possible to perform mammography in their outpatient centers.
- Some Regions have set up prevention programs for women who have reached the age of 50: they require patients to undergo biennial screening mammograms. If you fall into these categories and your region also provides this service, do not hesitate to contact the breast center in your city. Generally this kind of service is completely free.
- Contact the local health authority of your city for more information on this initiative.
Step 2. Get regular mammograms
Regardless of your region's mammography screening program, you should always take this exam when you reach age 50 and then continue every two years until you reach age 74. The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the easier it will be to cure it. You may have heard that a mammogram is painful, but it is a momentary discomfort and is certainly no worse than an injection, not excluding the fact that it can save your life.
If you fall into a risk category, you must evaluate with your gynecologist the possibility of undergoing the diagnostic examination more often; in this case, even if you are not yet 40, they may recommend that you already have a mammogram
Step 3. Be vigilant and don't hesitate to seek medical help
Paying attention and knowing your breasts well is the best thing you can do to check for suspicious signs of cancer. If you notice any abnormalities during the self-examination and have any doubts, do not hesitate to contact your doctor immediately.
Step 4. Get other people involved in prevention
Take care of friends and family by organizing a party once a year that culminates with a mammogram to be done all together. This way you can "exorcise" the fear of experience and help each other remember this commitment.
