PROCEDURES FOR SELF BREAST EXAMINATION
Breast cancer ranks the highest occurrence in Nigeria and Africa at large. Every woman, with a family history of breast cancer or none, should regularly examine their breasts for signs of changes. The kind of things to look out for include not only lumps (lumps that don't change with their menstrual cycle), but also changes to skin texture such as what's often described as an “orange peel” texture, changes to the nipples (particularly if a nipple starts to invert, i.e. turn inwards), sores on the breasts that don't heal, a blood-stained nipple discharge, or persistent breast pain (particularly pain in a specific place and that doesn't change with their menstrual cycle).
When feeling for lumps, you need to do it with the flat of your hand, not your fingertips. If you're feeling with your fingertips you'll find all sorts of lumps and bumps and terrify yourself. Some women, particularly younger women, have naturally lumpy breasts, and breast cysts will also feel like a lump, but a trained medical professional will be able to tell the difference between a worrying lump and a cyst, sometimes aided by imaging techniques.
There are many resources on breast self-examination available both on and offline. The best sites are those of healthcare systems, such as the NHS in the UK, authoritative and well-known healthcare providers, and well-known cancer charities.
“Getting to know your breasts” is important for all women because many lumps are found by women themselves, much earlier than they'd be picked up by breast screening. In my mum's case, she didn't have a lump. She had pain in a very specific location, and a blood-stained nipple discharge just once. As always, if you're concerned at all, talk to your doctor.
Having a family history of breast cancer doesn't mean you're going to develop cancer yourself. The vast majority of breast cancers aren't genetic. When considering your family history, bear in mind that only close relatives ‘count’. Generally, aunts, cousins, etc. aren’t relevant, unless there's a very strong family history of breast cancer with many people in each generation on the same branch of your family tree who've developed breast cancer. For most, the key people who count are grandparents, mothers, and. sisters, but bear in mind that men too can develop breast cancer, so fathers and brothers also count. It's direct family members on a particular branch of your family tree that are important.
It can be helpful to draw yourself a quick family tree to see the relationships in your family, and also make a note of the age at which anyone who had breast cancer was diagnosed. Those aged under 50 are ones that are more likely to be genetically related. It can also be helpful to show your doctor for them to guage your risk of genetic breast cancers too, which will help them decide whether genetic testing is appropriate for you.
Cancer is to a certain extent a natural disease of aging. Cancer is much more common amongst over 60s, and it's said that if every woman over the age of 80 who died was autopsied, the majority of them would have some degree of breast cancer, but these women died with breast cancer, not of it.
Every woman should watch for following symptoms:
1 Lump in the breast
2 Abnormal or asymmetrical growth in one of the breasts
3 Change in the skin over the breast ( skin starts looking like orange peel)
4 Discharge ( usually bloody) from the nipple
Those who have history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer in the family should be more watchful.
Women should conduct breast cancer self-exam at home at least once a month.
This is particularly crucial in this time during the global pandemic when many women are stuck at home and may not have access to their annual mammogram screening for breast cancer detection.
Here are 3 methods to perform breast self-check at home:
Method 1 - In front of a mirror:
Check your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight down and arms at the back. Look for any changes in the breast size, shape or color, or if there is any swelling or distortion. If you observe anything unusual, please visit a doctor, without panicking. Look at your breasts in all positions that you can, including arms over head or hands on hips, bending forward position etc.
OR
Stand in front of a mirror with your arms raised above your head. Look for lumps, abnormal nipple discharge such as bleeding, inverted nipple, wrinkly skin, or misshaped breasts.
Method 2 - In the shower:
This technique involves feeling for lumps or hard masses in the chest while you’re lathered up in soap. Women find it easier to slide the hand when the skin is slippery. You may have to change the pressure of your fingers at times to feel the soft and deep tissue of breasts for any suspicious masses. Make sure you follow an uninterrupted movement.
Method 3 - While lying on bed:
When you lay down in bed, your breast tissue spreads, making it easier to check for abnormal lumps. Move your hands clockwise all over the breasts, again altering the pressure on deep or soft tissue, while feeling for suspicious hard masses. Also check underarms, under the breasts, and near the collarbone.
A few signs of cancer could include the following:
Lump in the breast
Change in breast shape
Breast shrinkage or swelling
Skin redness or irritation
Unusual breast pain
With regular self-examination, you can become aware of your breasts and know if there is anything unusual happening to your body. This way you can be proactive and take action when needed. Most breast lumps are not cancerous, so there is no need to panic in case of noticing anything unusual, however, please alert the doctor for safety. The exam takes only a few minutes but is a 100% necessity.
