Generally, about 1 in 12 women will contract breast cancer at some age and the odds are higher later in life. Courtesy of modern medicine, many breast cancers can be successfully treated with minimum impact. However, one's treatment success level is extremely dependent on early detection. The earlier breast cancer is detected the higher your chance for survival. One easy way to increase the odds of early discovery is the performance of a regular breast self exam. The goal of breast self examination is to detect changes which might signal a condition worth investigating more closely, either with a professional clinical exam, mammogram or other diagnostic aid. Those changes might indicate an abnormality. But to judge what's abnormal, it's essential to know what constitutes normal. That varies from individual to individual, though there are commonalities. The first element to a proper self-exam is to know what your own breasts feel and look like in general. Every aspect of the body changes in subtle ways on a regular basis. During the menstrual cycle those changes may be exaggerated. Breasts can become enlarged or more sensitive. Start your self-exam a few days after your period every month so it becomes a habit. For post-menopausal women, choose the same day every month to perform the exam. Stand directly in front of a mirror naked and inspect your breasts visually. Look for any changes in the size of just one breast. Typical menstrual cycles and other changes that are hormone related will typically affect both breasts simultaneously. Look for any changes in size or color of your areola (darker skin around nipple) or nipple. Take note of any wrinkling, or "orange peel" appearance that is not related to cold temperature. Most areola are round, look for any lack in symmetry. Squeeze the nipples gently noting any fluid that comes out. For some women some lactation is normal. Yellowish, pus-like fluid may need to be further examined by a physician. It could be a simple infection or it could be an early sign of a developing tumor. Make sure you examine both nipples. Continue to observe the breast looking for tumors. Make sure and feel the entire surface of the breasts with your arms lowered. Don't just observe the surface from the breastbone to the side, but also up toward the armpit as well. Press the breasts firmly with the finger pas and move the hand slowly trying to feel for any thickening or lumps in the breast. A lump could be nothing more than a simple cyst which is a fluid filled tissue sac. Often cysts are round and palpable. They are typically benign even though you might want to have them removed. Cysts usually fade spontaneously over time. Cancerous lumps tend to be harder and less regular in shape. They are frequently attached to breast tissue. Not all hard lumps are cancerous either, so don't be unduly alarmed. Many are just what are called fibroadenomas, a benign clump of cells. Professional tests are required in order to know for sure. You should be extremely aware of any lumps that change in size. Cancer is the malignant and uncontrolled growth of cells in tissue. Tumors do not remain static but instead increase in size and later can spread to other areas of the body. Continue your self-exam by raising the arms over your head and applying pressure all the way from the breastbone to the armpit again. Make sure you do this on both sides and breasts. Perform the procedure again while lying down, first with the arms lowered, then raised overhead. Again try to feel any changes, especially tissue which has become hard. The procedure can be repeated in the shower in order to lower friction on the skin, but it can sometimes be difficult to find changes or lumps with water beating on your skin. Try baby oil instead. Women age 20 and over should be performing breast self-exams on a regular basis, and women over 40 should get a mammogram annually.
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