HEALTH

feel your silhouette - for breast cancer awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. There is a lot of good news about breast cancer these days. Treatments keep getting better, and we know more than ever about ways to prevent the disease. Although the breast self-exam technique isn't always a reliable way to detect breast cancer, a significant number of women report that the first sign of their breast cancer was a new breast lump they discovered on their own. For this reason, doctors recommend being familiar with the normal consistency of your breasts and doing a self-examination every month. In this video we show you some easy steps to checking your breasts.

BY NICOLE GALLACHER and cris reguero

A SELF GUIDE

CHECK IN ONCE A MONTH

Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform breast self-exams at least once a month.  Johns Hopkins Medical center states.

Get used to how your breasts normally look. Look at yourself with your arms down at your sides and then with your arms up in the air.

The best time to do a monthly self assesment is about 10 to 14 days after your period.

feel your breasts

Feel around the breast in a circular motion and feel behind the nipple. Feeling for a lump or swelling in the breast, and upper chest.

It can sometimes feel best to lie flat when examining your breasts, either on your bed, sofa or even bath. This allows your breast tissue to spread out to make the examination easier.

feel your ARM PIT

Feel under your arm pit for any lumps or bumps. You might feel a lump, but not see it. Repeat all these steps for both sides.

changes

If you have noticed a change in size, shape or texture, like puckering or. dimpling of the skin.

NIPPLE CHANGE

If you notice any change to the nipple.
This includes: Discharge, rash, crusting, inversion.

anything unusual

If you spot anything unusual across your nipples or chest that may look inflammed or red.

what to do if you find something new

If you are checking yourself and you find something that wasn't there before, arrange to see your doctor or community nurse. They will know what to do.

Book an appointment to speak to your GP.

Here's a tip to felp you feel comfortable and look good.

1. Wear a Bra that fits.
Not too big, not too small, just right.

2. Keep yourself healthy.
Avoid smoking, avoid drinking too much alcohol, consume a healthy diet.

Take regular exercise, like swimming, walking, pilates or yoga.

Resources

Published by NHS Health Scotland
FAIR in association with Community Nurses for People with Learning Disabilities,
NHS Lothian.

1 https://breastcancernow.org/about-us/media/facts-statistics

2 https://breastcancernow.org/about-us/media/press-releases/almost-half-uk-women-do-not-check-their-breasts-regularly-signs-breast-cancer

3 https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/getting-diagnosed/screening/breast-screening

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