Squish a Boob! Save a life!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

This topic is especially close to my heart  as my sweet grandma has been battling it for a long time. Just recently she was re-diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. She is terminal, though they don't know how long. 

Awareness is the key- If we as Grandmothers, Mothers, Aunts, and Sisters know what Breast cancer is, what to look for, and how to prevent it, we will be around a lot longer for our grandchildren, children, nieces and nephews, and siblings.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast Cancer usually begins with the formation of a small, confined tumor. Some tumors are benign, meaning they do not invade other tissue; others are malignant, or cancerous. Malignant tumors have the potential to metastasize, or spread. Once such a tumor grows to a certain size, it is more likely to shed cells that spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system. Different types of breast cancer grow and spread at different rates; some take years to spread beyond the breast, while others move quickly. 

Men can get breast cancer, too, but they account for less that one-half of one percent of all cases. Among women, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths--behind lung cancer.

Fortunately, breast cancer is very treatable if detected early. Localized tumors can usually be treat successful before the cancer spreads; and in nine in 10 cases, the woman will live at least another five years. Experts usually consider a five year survival to be a cure.

What to look for...Warning Signs

In its early stages, breast cancer usually has no symptoms. As a tumor develops, you may note the following signs:

*Lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm that persists through the menstrual cycle.

*A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea.

*A change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast.

*A blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from the nipple.

*A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on he breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly or inflamed).

* Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple. 

*An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast..

*A marble-like hardened area under the skin.

These changes may be found when performing monthly breast self-exams. By performing breast self-exams, you can become familiar with the normal monthly changes in your breasts.

Breast self-examination should be performed at the same time each month, three to five days after your menstrual period ends. if you have stopped menstruating, perform the exam on the same day each month.

Prevention...

Doctors still are not certain how you can stop breast cancer from happening in the first place. 

Regular aerobic exercise may offer some protection against a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. Studies have found that women who exercised vigorously and often were only half as likely as non-exercisers to get breast cancer. Exercise also can help women with breast cancer better tolerate the side effects of radiation or chemotherapy and can help promote a faster recovery after Surgery.

Nutrition and Diet...

Your diet can play an important role in breast cancer prevention. Dietary fats may increase your risk of developing breast cancer, and fruits, vegetables, and grains may help to reduce the risk. It's a good idea to make whole-milk dairy products, meat, and foods fried at high temperatures only occasional treats rather than staples. You can enliven your menus by sampling different kinds of fresh fruits and vegetable and basing new dishes on whole grains and legumes. This way, your bound to get plenty of fiber, along with vitamins and minerals thought to protect against breast cancer, specifically vitamins A, C, D, and E, and Calcium, Selenium, and Iodine. Some doctors recommend that breast cancer patients take antioxidant supplements.

How to Preform a Breast Self-Exam

In the mirror:

1.   Stand undressed from the waist up in front of a large mirror in a well-lit room. Look at your breasts. Don't be alarmed if they do not look equal in size or shape. Most women's breasts aren't. With your arms replaced by your sides, look for any changes in size, shape or position, or any changes to the skin of the breasts. Look for any skin puckering, dimpling, sores or discoloration. Inspect your nipples and look for any sores, peeling or change in the direction of the nipples.

2.   Next, place you hand on your hips and press down firmly to tighten the chest muscles beneath your breasts. Turn from side to side so you can inspect the outer part of your breasts.

3.   Then bend forward toward the mirror. Roll your shoulders and elbows forward to tighten your chest muscles. Your breasts will fall forward. Look for any changes in the shape or contour of your breast.

4.   Now, Clasp your hands behind your head and press your hands forward. Again, turn from side to side to inspect your breasts' outer portions. Remember to inspect the border underneath your breasts. You may need to lift your breasts with your hand to see this area.

5.   Check your nipples for discharge (fluid). Place your thumb and forefinger on the tissue surrounding the nipple and pull outward toward the end of the nipple. Look for any discharge. Repeat on your other breast.

In the shower

6.   Now, it's time to feel for changes in the breast. It is helpful to have our hands slippery with soap and water. Check for any lumps or thickening in your underarm area. Place your left hand on your hip and reach with your right hand to feel in the left armpit. Repeat on the other side.

7.   Check both sides for lumps or thickenings above and below your collarbone.

8.   With hands soapy, raise one arm behind your head to spread out the breast tissue. Use the flat part of our fingers from the other hand to press gently into the breast. Follow an up-and-down pattern along the breast, moving from bra line to collarbone. Continue the pattern until you have covered the entire breast. Repeat on the other side. 

Lying down

9. Next, lie down and place a small pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder. Put

your right hand behind you head. Place your left hand on the upper portion of your right breast

with fingers together and flat. Body lotion may help to make this part of the exam easier.

10. Think of your breasts as a face on a clock. Start at 12 o'clock and move toward 1 o'clock

in small circular motions. Continue around the entire circle until you reach 12 o'clock again. Keep

your fingers flat and in constant contact with your breast. When the circle is complete, move in

one inch toward the nipple and complete another circle around the clock. Continue in the pattern

until you've felt the entire breast. Make sure you feel the upper outer areas that extend in your armpit.

11. Place your fingers flat and directly on top of your nipple. Feel beneath the nipple for any

changes. Gently press your nipple inward. It should move easily.

All in All Summary...

Early detection, catching the disease and treating it early in its development when it is the most treatable remains proper strategy for better cancer outcome. The following is a common strategy, but ask your doctor exactly what you should do to help prevent breast cancer or find it early:

*Check our breast once a month, three to five days after your menstrual period ends. Have a thorough medical checkup once a year, and have mammograms every one to two years if you are aged 40 or older. Beginning at 50, yearly mammograms are recommended. Start mammograms earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer.

*Build your diet around fruit, vegetables, grains, and fish.

*If you use contraception, ask your doctor about the pros and cons of birth control pills.

*If you are near or in menopause, ask your doctor if you should use hormone replacement therapy to treat menopause symptoms. Studies suggest that hormone replacement can increase the risk of breast cancer. You and your doctor can make this decision based on your risk of breast cancer.

I'm not really sure that too many people are reading my blog, but even if it makes even just one more person More aware of themselves and of breast cancer, I feel my time was worth it. Also a special thank you to WebMD for the information and pre-research.