Each year, in the US, over 180,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and about 44,000 die each year from the disease (mylifestages.org). In fact, that means that almost one in 8 women in the US will have a breast cancer scare at some time in their lives, that’s almost 13% of the US female population, second only to lung cancer (breastcancer.org). And your likeliness of developing breast caner double if you have a close relative who has been diagnosed. Because breast cancer is so prevalent it is a good idea to know how you can detect breast cancer symptoms early, so you can talk to your doctor and get any potential problems looked at before they become serious or life threatening.
Self-Exams
One of the best and simplest ways to detect breast cancer is through self-examination. You should perform a self-exam monthly, usually a few days after your period when your breasts a least likely to be swollen or painful. If you no longer have a period, you can pick a day of the month that is easy to remember. As you feel your breasts, make note of any changes or hard spots. As you age, your breasts will naturally develop some lumpiness, so what you want to look out for are hard, immovable spots. Also make sure that you feel up into your arm pit because not all breast cancer develops in the largest part of the breast.
Physical Changes
When you perform your self-exam, also look for other changes in the breast, like a flattening or dimpling on the breast. As well, be aware of any scaliness or any discoloration, like redness, on your breast. It is also important to examine your nipples for any recent changes. Things to look out for are redness, a thickening of the skin on the nipple, itching, scaliness, the nipple turning inward, or a discharge other than breast milk. An unusual swelling or tenderness of the breasts can also be something to look out for. Doing your monthly exams will give you a good idea of how your breasts normally feel, so when something unusual develops, you’ll know right away.
Mammograms
Consensus in the medical community suggests that all women should have yearly Mammograms at age 40. However, if you have a directly-related family member who has already been diagnosed with breast cancer, consult your doctor. Your doctor may suggest that you start yearly mammograms earlier than 40.
Keep these signs and symptoms in mind and you’ll be able to recognize them early, get treated, and be a survivor.
Gunter Jameson writes about several topics including travel, minimalism and online classes.
