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By
Nurse Diane
The other day I got a text from a friend of mine asking
for prayers. She had been to see her
doctor, and they found a suspicious area on one of her breasts. She was to visit a surgeon the following
day. The next day I got an updated text
saying that the results were fine, it was a benign cyst.
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Early detection is essential for diagnosing breast
cancer, and starting early treatment for curing it. You can start by performing
a self-breast exam at home. This should
be done every month, the same day. The procedure
is simple. Following a shower, lay down
on your bed. Bend your arm behind your
head. With the other hand begin using
your fingers in a circular motion and press down starting at the nipple and
rotating around the breast until you cover the entire area. Make sure to press under your arm as
well. Repeat on the opposite side. Don't forget to squeeze the nipple to see if
there is any discharge. If you discover any lumps, contact your doctor
immediately and schedule a mammogram.
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Breast cancer is the second highest cancer illness for
women. Skin cancer being the
highest. According to breastcancer.org,
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with some form of breast cancer sometime in her
life. Last year, there were 230,480 new
cases. A woman's risk of getting breast
cancer is higher if there is a family member who has it; however, 85% of these
people have no family history of breast cancer.
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Breast cancer also occurs in men as well. While the rate is not as high as it is in
women, self-examination is just as important. About 39,520 women in the U.S.
were expected to die in 2011 from breast cancer, though death rates have been
decreasing since 1990 — especially in women under 50. These decreases are
thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening,
and increased awareness.
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October is breast cancer awareness month. I'm sure you have noticed pink
everywhere. The pink ribbons are to
remind you to take care of your breasts, and your health. This month, if you have not had a recent mammogram,
or physical exam, consider making an appointment to be checked. If you have a problem, it can be taken care
of faster, and if you don't have a problem, you will be relieved that you have
been checked. It is recommended that a mammogram be performed every year at the
age of 40. However if there is a family
history, you may desire to be examined early.
Check with your physician to be sure when you should be checked.
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For more information visit this site: http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/about-nbcf/nbcf-events
