- Each year, approximately 240,000 women and 2000 men will receive a breast cancer diagnosis. Yes…while rare, men do get breast cancer.
- Almost 75% of the time, a woman will hear that the cancer is invasive, to varying degrees, meaning that it has spread to surrounding tissue or other organs. The rest will be only somewhat relieved to hear the words in situ, meaning their cancer is all in one place, well contained, and has not spread.
- 17% of women will lose their battle and die while a whopping 25% of men will be lost to Breast Cancer. Only lung cancer accounts for more deaths in women.
So….now that I’ve sufficiently scared you into checking your breasts each month (I have, haven't I??!), what’s next?
Make a date with your breasts.
Seriously! Pick a date, any date of the month and circle it on the calendar. I do mine on the 10th of each month – which is my birth date and easy to remember. Some suggest the first or last day of the month, but the point is to pick a date and stick with it. Once a month should be fine if you are post menopausal, but if you are still menstruating, you will want to get and be familiar with your breasts during different times of your cycle. Keep this date with yourself...do not blow it off. Encourage the men in your life to do the same - especially if there is any breast cancer family history!
Know the mechanics.
I have a card that hangs in my shower to remind me of the actual mechanics of self exam. There are many options available [Google breast self exam, shower cards], but the least expensive one I found is sold by the American Institute for Preventative Medicine. They offer a shower-ready card made of 100% recycled material with handy reminder punch-outs for $2 each (less if you buy in bulk). Both in-shower and out of shower steps are covered on the card. I think these cards would make a great gift for every woman in your life which could easily be enclosed in a holiday, birthday or thank you card!!! HR Managers out there, you can also order them with company imprints.
Know what you’re looking for.
Now that you know HOW to check, what exactly are you looking for? eHow – How to do just about anything has an easy to read set of early warning signs that I use.
- Lumps are normal in breasts! Be wary if you find anything unusual in the upper, outer quadrant of your breast or directly behind the nipple. WebMD has a useful guide to help you.
- Skin Inflammation or change in texture – You’re looking for skin that is red/irritated, dimpled, puckered, scaly, or inflamed, particularly around the nipple.
- Skin swelling – pay attention if you notice a change in the size, shape or contour of either breast.
- Nipple discharge – clear or bloody discharge means get thee to the doctor pronto!
Last and certainly not least, beginning with your 40th birthday, sooner if there is a history of Breast Cancer in your family, schedule a regular mammogram. Mammograms are NOT fool proof and are not a substitute for regular self exam. I know several people who have discovered cancerous lumps that their mammogram missed! That said, mammograms are useful and just one more tool to help keep you safe, and can alert your doctor to changes in your breast health! I follow my own advice!! My annual mammogram is a present I give myself each year on or near my birthday. I schedule the exam as early in the day as possible and then spend the rest of the day doing whatever I want! There’s always a period of gratitude for the progress we’ve made to create awareness and tools for early detection and swift interventions.
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