Posts Tagged ‘Aware’

6 Breast Cancer Signs to be Aware of

Knowing the different breast cancer signs and symptoms can truly help save your life in the future. It is essential you understand everything that can be a signal for breast cancer so you can get treatment as soon as possible.  Here are six breast cancer symptoms to be aware of.

1. Lump
Although most lumps found in breasts are not cancerous, this is the most common sign of breast cancer for both men and women. A lump or thickening in the breast is a clear indication that you should get a physical exam to make sure everything is ok.  Often times the lump is painless, but it may be tender or sore from time to time.

2. Discharge from the nipple
You may experience a spontaneous clear or bloody discharge from your nipple. This is often times associated with a breast lump. While this does not mean you definitely have breast cancer, it is certainly a symptom you do not want to take lightly.

3. Change in size of your breast
This is where it becomes essential you are familiar and aware of your body. It can be difficult to notice a slight change in the size or contour of your breast, but this is a clear breast cancer sign to pay attention to. In some cases, the change in size may be much more obvious.

4. Indentation of your nipple
If you notice a retraction or indentation of your nipple, this is not something that typically occurs. You want to keep an eye on it and if it worsens, get into a doctor for a physical exam.

5. Indentation of skin over the breast
In addition to indentation of your nipple, you also want to keep an eye on the skin that is around the breast. A symptom of breast cancer is if you notice an indentation or flattening of the skin over your breast.

6. Redness of skin over the breast
The last sign you want to pay close attention to is any redness or pitting of the skin over the breast. Many times it looks almost like the skin of an orange in shape and texture.

There are a number of breast cancer signs you want to be aware of. If you feel you are experiencing one or several of the symptoms listed in this article, it is vital you get in to see a doctor immediately. The sooner you catch the cancer, the better chance you have of stopping it.

Be Informed, be Aware Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast cancer is one of the common causes of death, talking about cancer in women. It is highly recommended that every woman should regularly check their breasts for some changes.

When checking out your breasts (only in the way that is comfortable to you, here’s what you should keep an eye for:

• A new lump or hard knot found in your breast or armpit

• Dimpling, puckering or indention in your breast or nipple

• Change in the size, shape or symmetry of your breast

• Swelling or thickening of the breast

• Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin

• Nipple discharge, especially any that is bloody, clear and sticky, dark or occurs without squeezing your nipple

• Changes in your nipple such as tenderness, pain, turning or drawing inward, or pointing in a new direction

• Any suspicious changes in your breasts

Breast examination – this is essential for early breast cancer detection. Here is the proper way of checking your breasts:

• First, look closely at your breasts. Stand in front of a mirror with your hands on the side.

• Facing forward, look for dimpling, puckering and any changes in size or shape.

• See if your nipples are inverted.

• Check your breasts with your arms in two other positions – hands raised overhead and hand on hips.

There are 3 types of breast-exam patterns – the clock pattern, sweeping pattern and the wedge pattern.

It is recommended to start breast examinations when women reach the age 20. It is also advisable to have their breast exam by a health professional every 3 years. Always remember that the best time to perform you breast exam is 1 week after the start of your monthly period.

But even if you regularly check your breasts doesn’t mean you are safe from breast cancer. In fact it doesn’t reduce the number of deaths caused by breast cancer. However, this can help every woman to detect the early stages of breast cancer and help them avoid it as soon as possible before it is too late. Self and clinical breast exams as well as mammography will help you increase your chances of detecting and finding breast cancer at an early and treatable stage.