Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in the US according to the CDC.When breast cancer is detected early, it's easier to treat it.You can check the health of your breasts with a number of ways.If you see any changes in your breast tissue and you are a male, you should see a doctor immediately.
Step 1: Increase your breast awareness.
If you are comfortable with your breasts, you will know what their normal state is.Understanding how your breasts look and feel is what "normal" is for each woman.Establish a familiarity with them.You will be able to communicate any changes to your physician.Being more aware can help you feel more in control of your health and well-being.If you are concerned about breast cancer, increasing breast awareness is one of the best things you can do.You'll be able to assess when something is abnormal if you become aware of what is normal for you.Breast asymmetry, where one breast is a slightly different size or in a different position, is usually completely normal.If things change from the way they usually are, you should only have cause for concern.If you have a spouse or partner, make him or her part of the process of checking your breasts and becoming more aware of your breast tissue.Your partner may be able to see things that you can't because they see and touch your body from a different angle.Ask your partner to let you know about any changes.
Step 2: Breast self-examination is a topic of debate.
A monthly breast self-examination was once recommended for all women.The US Preventative Services Task Force recommended against teaching women to do consistent and formal self-examinations after several large research studies concluded that BSE didn't reduce mortality or increase the number of cancers found.Studies have shown that BSE is not important in detecting breast cancer.According to the American Cancer Society and the US Preventative Services Task Force, BSE should be done at your own discretion.The key is to be aware of what is normal for your own breast tissue.Part of the pushback against BSE is that it can lead to unnecessary testing which can cause harm to the patient as well as a financial burden on the healthcare system.The problem is that BSE may draw attention to benign tumors, whereas mammograms can identify those tumors that are real cause for concern and medical treatment.BSE should never be done in lieu of a physician's clinical examination or mammogram.If you do a BSE, you can help your doctor detect changes in your breasts by becoming more aware of what is normal.
Step 3: Know what to watch for.
Changes in breast size or shape are two of the signs that you should be aware of when checking your breasts for cancer.Some cases can occur on both breasts.Having an idea of what is normal for you at any particular time of the month is helpful, as your breasts may change size during certain times in your menstrual cycle.If you're not breastfeeding, there should be no discharge from the nipple.Don't squeeze the nipple or breast tissue if there is discharge.There are some types of breast cancer that can cause swelling.You can feel the swelling before you feel a lump.Dimpling is when tumors or growths in the breast near the skin or nipple cause a change in shape and look of the tissue.A newly inverted nipple is a sign of a problem.Some women have naturally inverted nipples, which are not a cause for concern; a change from your normal state is.Inflammation of the breast is a rare but aggressive type of cancer that can cause redness, warmth or itching.
Step 4: A visual BSE is a good way to do it.
It's a good idea to do it after your period when your breasts are not as tender.Try to do it at the same time every month.You can keep a record of the exam in your journal or planners.In front of a mirror, sit or stand without a shirt or bra on.Lower your arms.If you notice any changes to the size, shape, tenderness, and appearance of your breast tissue, use the above signs as your guide.Flex your chest muscles when you place your palms on your hips.Look for any anomalies.
Step 5: Do a manual BSE.
Set a time each month to do a manual BSE.If you are still menstruating, the best time to do this is a few days after your period.In this position, the breast tissue is thinner and easier to feel, and you can do the examination lying down.The soap and water in the shower can help your fingers move more smoothly over your breast skin.Both methods can be used in order to maximize the examination.Lie down and place your right hand behind your head.Using the first three fingers of your left hand, palpate the breast tissue on your right breast.The pads of the fingers are more important than the tips.Feel for anything that feels hard.Work your way towards the center of each breast by starting at your armpit area.To feel the breastbone, move across to the middle of your body.To feel the tissue, use three different levels of pressure: light pressure at the top, medium pressure in the middle of the breast and deeper pressure near the chest wall.Before moving on, make sure to apply the pressure levels to each area.If you have done one breast, do the other.The same exam can be performed on your left breast and left hand.To check for discharge, squeeze each nipple.Your breast tissue can be found near your armpit.It's important to check this area during your manual BSE because it can develop cancer.
Step 6: "Well woman exams" are scheduled annually.
Yearly physical exams are done with your doctor.Even if you are fine, you should see the doctor every year for a checkup.As you age, your risk for developing certain cancers, including breast cancer, increases.Give your doctor an updated medical history at the beginning of the exam.If there is a history of breast cancer in your family, your breast exams will be even more important.
Step 7: You can get a clinical breast exam.
Your physician will perform a manual check on your breasts during your yearly physical exam.Ask for it if your doctor doesn't do it.Doctors know what to look for in a breast exam and what should be cause for concern.You shouldn't replace the exam with your own self-examination.You can ask for a nurse or family member to be present if you feel uncomfortable.This is a standard procedure if you are a female patient.
Step 8: The appearance of your breasts should be assessed.
The appearance of your breasts will be checked by your doctor.While the doctor examines the size and shape of your breasts, you will be asked to raise your arms over your head and hang them down by your sides.The doctor isn't judging your breasts on appearance.She is only checking to see if they are the same shape and size.
Step 9: Take a physical exam.
The doctor will use the pads of her fingers to examine the entire breast area while you lie down.The exam should last a few minutes.
Step 10: Keep calm and breathe.
Take a deep breath and remember that this is a necessary part of maintaining and being proactive about your health.Breast cancer has a higher success rate when it is caught early and before it has spread to other organs, tissues, and the bones.You can always ask your doctor why he is doing certain things.Talk to your doctor if you feel stressed out.
Step 11: When you reach 40, schedule an annual mammogram.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation recommends a mammogram every two years for women 40 and older.If you have a family history of breast cancer or notice a lump during a self-exam, your doctor may want you to have mammograms before you are 40 years old.It depends on the woman's overall health.She is likely to be a candidate for treatment if she has a number of health problems.If you are 75 or older, you should talk to your doctor about screening.If a woman learns through genetic testing that she carries the breast cancer genetic mutation (BRCA1 and BRCA2), she should be screened for it at age 25.
Step 12: Understand what it does.
A mammogram is an x-ray that shows your breast tissue.A mammogram can detect breast lump before you feel them.The test can detect cysts in the breast tissue, even if the doctor is looking for cancer with a mammogram.
Step 13: You need to prepare for the mammogram.
Do you know if there are any requirements for your mammogram?On the day of your mammogram, you should not wear anything that can interfere with the test reading.You should wear a loose top that is easy to take off for the mammogram.If you feel anxious, read up on the procedure.The test is done in a matter of minutes.
Step 14: Discuss your breasts with your doctor and the mammogram technician.
They need to know if you have breast implants or menstruating.
Step 15: Take the test.
In the mammogram, your breast is placed on a platform and compressed with a paddle to allow for a lower-energy x-ray to be used.You may experience some pain during the mammogram, but this is temporary.A mammogram is done on both breasts to compare them.
Step 16: Wait for the results to come up.
If the potential for breast cancer shows up in your results, you might need to have further testing, such as a breast ultrasound to look for cysts or an MRI to evaluate and differentiate a suspicious cyst from a benign one.If the mammogram and MRI show a tumor or growth, your doctor may recommend a needle biopsy to determine the type of cell growth and the kind of treatment needed to treat the cancer.A sample is taken from the suspicious area of the breast and analyzed in a laboratory.You won't have to stay in a hospital for most breast tissue biopsies.
Step 17: There are some risk factors for breast cancer.
Although being a woman is the main risk factor for breast cancer, there are other factors that increase the likelihood that you will get the disease.Most people with breast cancer are over 45.For each decade beyond 50, your risk increases ten-fold.If you started menstruating before you were 12 years old, your risk is slightly increased.The risk is higher in both cases.Both early pregnancies and multiple pregnancies can reduce your risk.Having no children or getting pregnant after 40 increases your risk of breast cancer.Current or previous use of hormones can increase the risk of breast cancer.
Step 18: Your lifestyle can affect your risk for breast cancer.
Smoking, alcohol use, and shift work are all risk factors for breast cancer.The body mass index is used to determine whether someone is overweight or obese.A person's weight is divided by the square of their height in meters.A body mass index greater than 30 is considered obese.A body mass index greater than 30 is considered to be a risk factor for breast cancer.Recent evidence shows that long-term heavy smoking is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.Women who started smoking before they had their first child are at higher risk.The exact relationship between smoking and breast cancer is still being studied.Alcohol can increase the risk of breast cancer.The risk increases with the amount of alcohol you drink.Women who drink between two and five drinks a day have a 1.5x higher risk than women who don't drink.Women who work night shifts may have an increased risk of breast cancer due to changes in melatonin levels.Before these findings will be considered conclusive, further research is needed.
Step 19: You should have a family medical history.
If you have had a previous diagnosis of breast cancer, you are three to four times more likely to develop a new cancer in the same or opposite breast.If at least one family member has had breast, ovarian, uterine or colon cancer, you are more likely to get it.If you have a first-degree relative with the disease, your risk is doubled.It triples your risk if you have two first-degree relatives.Genetics can increase your risk of breast cancer.If you want to find out if you have these genes, you can contact a genome mapping service.About 10% of cases are related to heredity.
Step 20: Most women with breast cancer do not have risk factors.
The majority of women don't exhibit any of the above and are not more likely to get breast cancer than anyone else.It is important that women follow the guidelines regarding breast health and that they notify their primary care physicians if they notice any changes in their breast tissue.