With each passing year, breast cancer strikes more and more women worldwide and in many cases, this disease is fatal. That is why we women need to be aware of the imminent danger of this cancer in females so that we can prevent this risk.
There are many myths about breast cancer, but self-examination is not one of them and needs to be considered as a powerful lump detection tool.
Why is it important to do the monthly self-exam?
The breast self-examination should be done monthly right after the menstrual period. When a woman examines herself frequently, she can more easily notice any changes in her breasts, which helps her diagnose cancer so it can be treated in time.
Women who are already in menopause or have had hysterectomy should have their self-examination done on the first day of the month or another day that they think is best to remember.
Although it is possible to palpably perceive the nodule only when it reaches 2 centimeters, it is better to discover it at this stage than even later when the tumor may already have metastasized, that is, when it has already spread to other parts of the tumor. body.
Even doing the monthly self-examination, it is essential that the woman is always up to date with routine exams, including mammography.
A mammogram can identify a tumor even before it reaches the size needed to be noticed by touching the breasts.
How to self-examine breasts
Check out the step by step to do the breast self-exam correctly, without forgetting any area:
- Examine the entire area of the breasts and armpit while showering to make it easy to spot changes.
- Look in front of the mirror with your arms down, then with your hands on your head and the last with your hands on your hips to force your chest muscles;
- Touch the breasts with the hand opposite it when sitting or standing in a circular or spiral motion starting at the nipple and continuing until it reaches the armpits;
- Do the same lying down, but in this step you should leave the unused hand behind your head so that the chest tissue is distributed in a way that facilitates the examination;
- Gently pinch the nipple to check for fluid leakage.
When doing the self-examination you need to be aware of any of these factors:
- Any lump or lump;
- Thicker breast tissue;
- Breast parts with frequent pains;
- Nipple crack or nipple fluid release.
If you notice any of these changes in your breast, see a specialist as soon as possible, it may be a gynecologist or mastologist. Remember that the earlier the diagnosis is made, the greater the chances of cure for breast cancer.
Infographic ? Breast cancer
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Understanding Breast Lumps (April 2024)
- Cancer, Prevention and Treatment
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