Feeling Your Way To Healthy Breast Lisa Barnes, BSN, RN Ruth Fay,B.A.,M.B.A.,RN Mary Grady, BSN, RN Margaret Richmond, MA, RN
WHAT ARE MY BREASTS MADE OF? A breast is made of three main parts: glands, ducts and connective tissue. Glands- produce milk Ducts- passages that carry milk to the nipple Connective tissue- consists of both fibrous tissue and fatty tissue that connects and holds everything together
WHAT IS A NORMAL BREAST? No breast is typical. What is normal for you may not be normal for another woman. Most women say their breasts feel lumpy or uneven. The way your breasts look and feel can be affected by your period, having children, losing or gaining weight, and by taking certain medications. Breasts also tend to change as you age.
WHAT CAUSES BREAST LUMPS? Many different conditions can cause lumps in the breast, including cancer. Most breast lumps are caused by other medical conditions, such as fibrocystic breast condition and cysts. Fibrocystic condition causes noncancerous changes in the breast that can make them lumpy, tender, and sore. Cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that can develop in the breast.
TUMORS AND BREAST CANCER Sometimes breast cells become abnormal. These abnormal cells grow, divide, and create new cells that the body does not need and that do not function normally. The extra cells form a mass called a tumor. Some tumors are benign or not cancer. These tumors usually stay in one spot in the breast and do not cause big health problems. Malignant tumors are cancer. Breast cancer often starts out too small to be felt. As it grows, it spreads throughout the breast or to other parts of the body. This causes serious health problems and can cause death.
HOW CAN I TELL IF I HAVE BREAST CANCER? Most of the time, early breast cancer does not have any symptoms. As it grows, however, breast cancer can cause changes in how the breast looks or feels. Symptoms include: A new lump in the breast A lump that has changed A change in the size or shape of the breast Pain in the breast or nipple that does not go away Skin anywhere on the breast that is flaky, red or swollen A nipple that is very tender or that suddenly turns inward Fluid coming from the nipple when not nursing a baby See you health professional if you notice any of these symptoms. Most often, breast symptoms are caused by conditions other than cancer but only your doctor can tell.
WHAT INCREASES MY CHANCE OF GETTING BREAST CANCER? Age- The older you are, the more likely you are to develop breast cancer. The chances of dying from breast cancer also increase with age, but dying from breast cancer is much less common than getting breast cancer. Family History- Having close relatives with breast cancer or ovarian cancer increases your chances of getting breast cancer. Race- All women can get breast cancer, but white women get it more often than Hispanic, African American, Asian, or Native American women. Although medical experts do not know why, African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer than women of other ethnic groups.
OTHER RISK FACTORS- Having Children- Not having children, or having your first child later in life (in your 30 s or 40 s) increases your chance of getting breast cancer. Certain Medications- Taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs after menopause may increase your chance of getting breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits for you. Personal History- Having had cancer in one breast increases the chance of getting cancer in the other breast.
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT BREAST CANCER You cannot get breast cancer by bumping, bruising, pinching, or touching the breast. You cannot catch breast cancer from another person.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT BREAST CANCER? Staying healthy may help. To protect your overall health and to prevent may kinds of cancer: * Eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day * Get regular physical activity * Aim for a healthy weight * Do not have more than 1 alcoholic drink a day * Do not smoke, if you do smoke, QUIT!!!
IS THERE A TEST TO LOOK FOR BREAST CANCER? A mammogram, or an x-ray of the breast, is used to look for breast cancer. Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to 3 years before it can be felt. When breast cancer is found early, many women go on to live long healthy lives.
WHEN SHOULD WOMEN GET A MAMMOGRAM? Most women should have their first mammogram at age 40, and then have another mammogram every one or two years. If you have any symptoms or changes in your breasts, or if breast cancer runs in your family, talk to your health professional. It may be recommended that you have earlier or more frequent mammograms.
BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION (BSE) BSE is a tool that may help you learn what is normal for you. BSE includes looking at and feeling your breasts. If you notice any changes in your breasts, see your health care provider right away.
Self Breast Exam When is good time? The best time to perform a breast selfexam is about a week after the start of your period. That's when your breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen. ANYTIME!!!!!
STEPS TO BREAST SELF- EXAMINATION Step 1: Lying Down Feel for changes: Lie down on your back with a pillow under your right shoulder Use the pads of the three middle fingers on your left hand to check your right breast Press using light, medium and firm pressure in a circle without lifting your fingers off the skin Follow an up and down pattern Feel for changes in your breast, above and below your collarbone and in your armpit Repeat on your left breast using your right hand These steps may be repeated while bathing or showering using soapy hands. Step 2: In Front of the Mirror Look for changes: Hold arms at your side Hold arms over your head Press your hands on your hips and tighten your chest muscles Bend forward with your hands on your hips
Not Just for Women! 1200 cases of breast cancer in American men seen a year According to June 2008 data from American Cancer Society
Signs and symptoms All guys need to look for.. a lump felt in the breast nipple pain an inverted nipple nipple discharge (clear or bloody) sores on the nipple and areola (the small ring of color around the center of the nipple) enlarged lymph nodes under the arm
Risk Factors for Men Growing older High estrogen levels: Breast cell growth both normal and abnormal is stimulated by the presence of estrogen. Men can have high estrogen levels as a result of : taking hormonal medicines being overweight, which increases the production of estrogen having been exposed to estrogens in the environment (such as estrogen and other hormones fed to fatten up beef cattle, or the breakdown products of the pesticide DDT, which can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body) being heavy users of alcohol, which can limit the liver's ability to regulate blood estrogen levels
That s not all.. Strong family history of breast cancer or genetic alterations Radiation exposure: Having radiation therapy to the chest before age 30, and particularly during adolescence, may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. This has been seen in young people receiving radiation to treat Hodgkin's disease. (This does NOT include radiation therapy to treat breast cancer.)
Learn more! Website: Susan G. Koman for the Cure www.komen.org/ This site contains information about breast health, research and self breast exam for viewing purposes. www.mayoclinic.com/health/breastself-exam This web site offers information and diagrams of self breast exams.
What to do if you are without insurance. American Cancer Society: 1-800-227-2345- Ask about National Mammography Day & free area resources. They can help you become part of the Best Program in Ohio. This program will provide free mammograms at discount prices or free of charge depending on your needs. THE GOAL IS TO GET MAMMOGRAMS DONE!!!!
More numbers.. Lorain Health and Dentistry: Medical care free or price based on your need. 1-440-233-0166 North Coast Health Ministry: 16110 Detroit Ave Lakewood, Ohio 1-216-228-7878
More. Free Breast & Cervical Cancer Screenings Part of the Ohio Breast & Cervical Cancer Project Cuyahoga County Board of Health WILL SERVICE ALL WOMEN OF THE STATE REGARDLESS OF COUNTY! 1-800-443-2168