BECOME BREAST AWARE
Check your breasts regularly Know what is normal for you Know what changes to look for
CHARLESTOWN Nevis, October,13th, 2011 -- 5-7 days after your period ends (or at the same time each month for males and post menopausal women). Check for any change in the normal look or feel of the breasts. Report any changes to your doctor. Go for annual clinical breast exams and ask about having a mammogram.
Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.
Here's what you should look for:
Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and colour Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible discolouration, distortion or swelling.
If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:
Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out),
redness, soreness, rash, or swelling
Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.
REDUCE YOUR RISK OF BREAST CANCER
Know your family medical history Reduce, Sugar, Salt & Fat in your diet Get more exercise Maintain healthy weight Eat organic or unprocessed foods Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables Reduce stress Stop smoking
Step 3: While you're at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a
watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).
Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast.
Use either baby oil or corn starch then with a firm, smooth touch use the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a dollar coin. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side from your collarbone to the chest bone (sternum)
and from your armpit to your cleavage.
Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women.
Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts:
For the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage.
LOOK AND FEEL
Feel your breasts, chest and arm pit for lumps Look for skin dimpling and discolouration Check for inverted nipples, discharge or rash Look and feel for changes in shape and size.
Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.
Pink Lily cancer care raises awareness of breast cancer, offers support to sufferers and their families and
raises funds to provide quality cancer care for women and men living in Nevis.
If you would like to talk to someone or need support, Call 1 869 664 3306 or 664 8360 or email tracy.pinklilycancercare@gmail.com
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