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Breast
self-examination - Women’s forgotten priority!
'Early
detection saves lives'
When
was the last time you had a breast examination done? Did you know that
breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in
Seychelles after colon and anal cancer? The most effective way to fight
breast cancer is to detect it early! Regular breast-self examination is
the perfect way to healthy breasts. Women who perform regular breast-self
exam find 90% of all breast masses. Breast-self exam is a way for women to check their breasts
for changes such as lumps or thickening that may signal breast cancer.
When breast cancers are detected in its early stages, your chances for
surviving the disease are greatly improved.
While 80% of all breast lumps are not cancerous, you can help
catch, potentially serious changes in the breast early by regularly
performing a self-exam.
You
should examine your breasts once a month, three to five days after your
menstrual period ends. If you have stopped menstruating, perform the exam
on the same day of each month, such as the first day of the month or a day
easy for you to remember, such as your birth date. Each time you examine
your breasts you will become more familiar with the contours and feel of
your breasts, and you will be more alert to changes. The most exciting
thing about breast exam is that you can do it at any convenient time for
example whilst having your shower or bath or lying down in bed before
going to sleep.
See
your family planning nurse for more advice if you discover any new breast
changes, changes that persist after your menstrual cycle, or other changes
that you are concerned about. Conditions that should be checked by a
doctor include:
§
An unusual lump
or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm
§
Bloody or clear
fluid discharge from the nipple
§
A change in the
size, shape or contour of the breast
§
A change in the
feel or appearance of the skin on the breast
§
Unusual turning
of the nipple
§
An area that is
distinctly different from any area on either breast
Remember,
regular breast examination can save your life!
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