As per a recent study, 1 in every 28 women in India is diagnosed with breast cancer. While this particular cancer has been killing number of women across the world; it has become a major concern these days. But then, the 5-year survival rate of breast cancer is over 90%, when diagnosed early. So with such a success rate, it becomes essential to spread awareness through breast cancer self examination (BSE) and early signs of breast cancer, that can be detected and treated on time.
Do have a read and stay safe!
Not very long ago, Hollywood heartthrob Angelina Jolie revealed that she was tested positive for breast cancer gene and that she had opted for a double mastectomy, as a precaution. While there are several causes of breast cancer, early diagnosis can help prevent women from the massive damage.
As per The American Cancer Society’s estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2015, here are the following statistics –
1. Around 2,31,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed
2. Around 60,290 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) cancer will be diagnosed (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest stage of breast cancer)
3. Around 40,290 women will die from breast cancer
Now these horrifying numbers are surely shocking, but this estimation also urges every woman to take preventive measures and always be in an alert mode by taking up BSE (breast cancer self examination). And for this, identifying breast cancer symptoms becomes crucial.
Let’s find out step by step tutorial on breast cancer self examination. Continue reading!
Stand before the mirror with straight shoulders and arms on your hips and look at your breasts. If breasts look evenly shaped without any swelling then it is the first sign of cancer free breasts.
Here are a few early signs of breast cancer:
1. Puckering or bulging of the skin around the nipple
2. Change in position of nipple i.e. pushed inward of protruding out
3. Redness, swelling or soreness
Raise your arms and check for the above mentioned changes if there are any.
Also check if there is any kind of breast discharge. The fluid may be yellowish, watery or milky).
Now lie down and try to feel your breasts. By using your right hand press your left breast, and by using your left hand press your right breast by keeping the finger flat. Now check it in a circular motion all over the breasts. Start from top and move towards bottom by covering the sides i.e. from collarbone towards abdomen and from armpit to cleavage. Now move your fingers in larger circles starting from nipples till you end at the outer edges.
You can now stand and repeat the above steps by running your fingers in circular motion all over your breasts.
This step is followed so as to confirm if there are any lumps, thick tissues or any kind of abnormal formation.
Well, those were the following 5 steps on breast cancer self examination and early symptoms to determine. Hope you found this post useful!