Southern Nevada’s Premier Diagnostic Imaging Provider Provides Insight on Breast Cancer Resources
At Desert Radiology, our mission is to help our community live long and healthy lives. Our practice accomplishes this by sharing timely information and valuable resources every month. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are taking this opportunity to share useful information for detecting, preventing and fighting back against one of the most common diseases affecting women today.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the largest nonprofit cancer organization in the United States, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. This statistic is only one of many that pertain to how frequently breast cancer presents itself in women of all ages. Breastcancer.org, another leading nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public on breast cancer, reveals that a woman’s risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if an immediate family member is diagnosed with breast cancer. Because of the severity of breast cancer and how frequently it presents itself in women, it is important to regularly examine your breasts for irregularities and sudden changes.
Detecting Early Breast Cancer Symptoms
Becoming familiar with your breasts and regularly examining them is an effective way to detect breast cancer early. An early detection dramatically increases the odds of a positive prognosis and successful treatment plan. We recommend women examine their breasts once a month with the following two methods several days after they’ve had their period, when the breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender to the touch. Women who have entered menopause may perform these self-exams on any day that is easy for them to remember or fits into their self-care routine.
Method One:
While standing in front of a mirror, square your shoulders and place your hands on your hips. Carefully visually examine your breasts for the following:
- Irregularities in breast size, shape and color.
- Swelling, soreness, redness and discoloration on any areas of the breast.
- Dimpling and bulging of the skin.
- Changes in nipple position or a nipple pushed inward, commonly referred to as an inverted nipple.
- Signs of blood or breast fluid coming out one or both nipples.
Then, raise your arms above your head and look for the same indicators as described above. If any irregularities are detected, share them with your primary doctor as quickly as possible as these may be early signs of breast cancer.
Method Two:
While in the shower or while lying down, use your hands to feel for any lumps or abnormalities in the breasts using the following process.
- Place two or three fingers, keeping them straight, flat and together, from your right hand at the top of your left breast near the collarbone.
- Apply smooth but firm pressure in a circular motion that’s about the size of a quarter.
- Feel for any new breast lumps or irregularities, taking notes of them to share with your doctor.
- Keep working down the breast from top to bottom. Then perform the same motion from side to side, beginning in near the armpit. Be sure to apply firmer pressure in deeper parts of the breast and medium pressure when examining the middle of the breasts.
- Ensure all areas on the front and back of the breast are thoroughly checked.
- Repeat the above steps with your left hand on your right breast.
Are Breast Lumps Always Cancerous?
No, breast lumps are common in women and should not be cause for immediate concern. This is because many breast lumps are benign and caused by hormonal changes in women. New or unknown breast lumps should be reported to your doctor for further examination to determine whether they are benign or signs of early-stage breast cancer.
Contributing to the Breast Cancer Cause
