Breast Cancer: What to look for and how

Did you know, there’s the possibility that one in eight women will be diagnosed with Breast cancer.

And in 2015, there was diagnosis of 15,740 new cases of the disease. The risk of you being diagnosed with breast cancer increases by 10% if you have a mother, sister or daughter who has been diagnosed with it. However, survival rate stands at 90% when detected in its early stages.

Here is a step-by-step to learn the symptoms and check yourself for changes. You are never ‘too young’ to have breast cancer, so see your doctor if you notice anything suspicious.

Perform monthly self exams, get to know your body, and recognise any changes.

The best position is laying flat on your back, lift your arm above your head and feel in a circular motion with two fingers. Don’t forget to check your areola and armpits.

The best time to examine is 7-10 days after your monthly cycle. It is not uncommon to feel lumps due to cysts, scar tissue, and swollen glands.

Know what you are looking for; anything that feels hard, stone-like or gritty. These are usually painless and immoveable.

Recognise any skin and nipple changes, any pain, redness, itchiness or puckering (this looks like cellulite). If you have any discharge, see a doctor asap.

After you turn 40, see your doctor for regular breast exams. Even though you are never too young to have breast cancer, your chances drastically increase after the age of 40. If you have family history please inform your doctor.

Prevention is better than a cure.

DID YOU KNOW: Every day, 2 women under 40 are newly diagnosed with some form of breast cancer.

Have you had your regular breast exam? Share with us below.

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30 Comments

- - mom104749 said
  - 11 Oct 2017
    5:51 pm
I have not had a breast exam performed at my gp, but i do check myself. I am only 29 but i believe every women of every age should be checking themselves every month. I dis not know the best position to check was lying down. Thanks

- - mom64736 said
  - 06 Oct 2017
    12:19 pm
I’m in a high risk category. This is important information. Thank you.

- - MummaKez said
  - 16 Sep 2017
    9:41 am
I’ve recently had mine checked with mammogram and ultrasound. I had itchiness and small scabs forming from scratching. Turns out I have dense tissue which changes within a matter of 2 weeks with hormones… if you doubt anything at all, get yourself checked!

- - Ellen said
  - 12 Sep 2017
    3:38 am
Where have you girls your annual check ups done ??

- - mom101628 said
  - 08 Sep 2017
    9:37 pm
Timely comment with ONJ getting a recurrence

- - rovermum said
  - 06 Sep 2017
    10:01 am
Reminders are always great and timely. I’m due for all my annual check ups in October.

- - mom82487 said
  - 05 Sep 2017
    1:22 pm
Having regular breast examinations DOES NOT PREVENT breast cancer. It might mean you catch it before it spreads.

- - ella12 said
  - 05 Sep 2017
    10:52 am
Thank you for the reminder, cheers.

- - rachel1970 said
  - 04 Sep 2017
    7:39 pm
I have a regular exam once a year but I must admit, I am slack and never do it myself!

- - tessie said
  - 20 Aug 2017
    9:51 pm
I have a regular breast exam every two years. In between I do self examinations. Thanks for these instructions because they will help me even more

- - mom19782016 said
  - 20 Aug 2017
    12:47 pm
Thanks for this, some helpful information.

- - Ellen said
  - 20 Aug 2017
    3:03 am
Some years ago a friend of mine was diagnosed with breast dance. She was gone within a year, so sad.
- Ellen replied
  
  05 Sep 2017 , 2:42 am
  Oh my goodness, breast dance ??! Sorry must be breast cancer
- - june11 said
  - 18 Aug 2017
    8:41 pm
Some breast cancers can also be diagnosed by breast ultrasound.

- - nealsq said
  - 17 Aug 2017
    4:35 pm
I have a friend going through chemo and recovering from a mastectomy right now

- - rovermum said
  - 16 Aug 2017
    10:04 am
I try and breast check regularly. I have really large breasts and so I do find this a little challenging – however, I still do it. I’ve not had a mammogram in a while but do have annual check ups with my Doctor.

- - natct said
  - 16 Aug 2017
    7:30 am
Great information and a great subject to always rehash on.

- - mom94378 said
  - 15 Aug 2017
    9:53 pm
Self checks and prevention are so important. Love the Divinyls theme song on this ‘I touch myself”. Nice play on words.

- - mom71820 said
  - 15 Aug 2017
    1:32 pm
I have lots of cysts so it’s really hard to know what’s right & what’s not. I’ve been getting scans & mammograms every 2 years because if this, so definitely never too young to be checked!

- - Aida Moroccan said
  - 15 Aug 2017
    11:04 am
Thanks for this informative article , I have been got some information

- - country chick said
  - 15 Aug 2017
    8:26 am
A good reminder for us all – thanks