Ladies! Do your Monthly Self Breast Exam!!

[specialmom]

Hi, this is specialmom and I'm the Community Leader on the Woman's Health forum. Next month is Breast Cancer Awareness month so I may be jumping the gun but I wanted to start a discussion and remind women to do these self breast exams.  This is just a friendly reminder!  It's such an important preventative measure when coupled with other screenings such as mammography and doctors visits.  

When is the best time to do it?  The best time to do it is a few days after your monthly cycle ends so that your hormonal changes don't impact it.  If easier for you, go ahead and just pick a day and do it that same day each month like the first of the month or 30th or whatever is an easy day to trigger your memory to do it.

What age should women start doing self breast exams?  By at least 20 years of age a woman should start doing these self checks.

HOW to do it:  https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam  This link takes you to a full page on the specifics.  Here is  short version:
1. Check yourself out in a mirror looking for unusual size, color, shape, dimpling,  nipple changes such as inversion, puckering of skin, or soreness, rash or swelling.
2. While still looking in mirror and raise your arms.  Look for those same things with arms raised.
3.note if there is fluid coming out of both or one nipple.
4.Lay down and use opposite hand (right hand for left breast, left hand for right breast) and begin feeling your breast. Cover the whole breast when checking using a firm, smooth touch. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast.
5. Then standing or sitting, lift one arm and feel that sides breast with the other hand with same motion as used in step 4.

Don't forget to do this!  Who is with me and regularly does this exam?  Have you ever found a lump this way?

[CHIN_C]

Mammograms are the screening test of choice. Most expert groups no longer recommend monthly self-exams for breast cancer screening. To date, no study has shown that breast self-exams reduce a woman's risk of dying from breast cancer. While women used to be encouraged to check their breasts regularly for changes and abnormalities, this can increase the chance of needing an unnecessary breast biopsy, which can be associated with increased anxiety, expense, and pain.

Source: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/breast-cancer-screening-beyond-the-basics

[Ana2431]

Thanks hun. You are very sweet person . I miss her all the time. We should be friends u are a nice person to talk to

[Ana2431]

2019 dec 23.  Yes she my only child I miss my daughter so much.

[specialmom]

That is so painful. I'm sending you huge hugs.  I'm so very sorry.  

[Ana2431]

Shingles is very painful yes it is . I’m still  recovering  Of it . My ear is getting little better  it’s gonna take a couple weeks to go down . My ictching on my head  3 or 4 months to go away .  My daughter was 12 when she died She had an ammonia a virus and her heart was so weak . I miss her so much . 2019 dec

[specialmom]

Oh sweetie.  To lose a 12 year old child, my heart breaks for you.  That was so terrible.  This was last December?  Was she your only?

[Ana2431]

I’m recovering of shingles . It’s healjng , it was bad before , didn’t have all over my body . But I’m taking medications for it. The itching bad 3 months or so . But I’ll be ok . I’m have to think positive. I worry about lots of things. My daughter passes away so  she always on my mind .

[specialmom]

Oh, I have not had shingles but have absolutely heard those can be miserable!  And you lost your daughter?  Oh my gosh.  Was she very old?  Mom to mom, I can think of nothing more painful.  My deepest sympathy.

[Ana2431]

Yes I get scare none of my family has breast cancer or lumps . But I feel more comfortable having my husband . He tells me .

[Ana2431]

I don't do self breast exam my hubby does it for me  , I'm scared to do it on my own

[specialmom]

Ah, nothing to be scared of.  We probably know our bodies better than anyone and our own hands can feel things within.  If your husband feels anything, make sure he tells you so you can get checked and hey, if it works for you, it works!  The bottom line is just doing the regular breast checks to help catch anything early.  Nothing to be afraid of unless you have health anxiety that causes you excess worry when you do it.  :>)  It's October . ..  breast cancer awareness month!  

[specialmom]

I thought I'd add a little incentive to do these self breast checks. My sister in law does them and she found a lump.  It prompted her to go get a mammogram.  She then was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer.  She has had treatment and is in full remission and it has been just over  years.  She caught it very early with a very good prognosis because of that.  Do your checks!