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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. This month the wellness corner will be focused on this.
Try to get in the habit of doing a
breast self-examination once a month to
familiarize yourself with how your
breasts normally look and feel. Examine
yourself several days after your period
ends, when your breasts are least
likely to be swollen and tender. If you
are no longer having periods, choose a
day that's easy to remember, such as
the first or last day of the month.
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 color breasts that are
evenly shaped without visible
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.
Step 3: While you're at the mirror,
gently squeeze each nipple between your
finger and thumb and check for nipple
discharge (this could be a 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 a firm, smooth touch with the first
few fingers of your hand, keeping the
fingers flat and together. Cover the
entire breast from top to bottom, side
to side--from your collarbone to the top
of your abdomen, 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. Be sure to feel
all the breast tissue: just beneath
your skin with a soft touch and down
deeper with a firmer touch. Begin
examining each area with a very soft
touch, and then increase pressure so
that you can feel the deeper tissue,
down to your ribcage.
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.
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