The dreaded term “breast cancer” has once again jumped into the public eye. What can we do to protect ourselves from this evil that lurks in the shadows and devours women’s health? Do you want to be like Queen Angelina Jolie and have your entire breast removed? Do you want to be like Queen Angelina Jolie and have your entire breast cut out? Breast self-examination and breast cancer screening may help women to detect the disease as early as possible and reduce the possibility of having their lives devoured.
Self-examination of breast
1. Specific methods
Observe the appearance of the breast, such as whether there is any abnormal discharge from the nipple, whether there is any abnormal change in the size and nature of the breast, and whether there is any abnormal change in the skin of the breast (such as orange peel-like change).
The main thing is to feel the texture of the breast and whether any hard lumps appear. Lie flat on the bed, lift the arm on the side to be examined, and use the index finger, ring finger and middle finger of the other side to touch the breast area up and down, up and down in small increments to see if there is a lump present.
2, standing touch is not as good as lying touch?
The reason is this: due to gravity, when we stand, the breast tissue is relatively concentrated in the lower part, the overlapping glands appear particularly thick, small lumps are easy to conceal; while lying down, the breast tissue is relatively flat, thick and thin is not affected by gravity. This makes it easier to check for meaningful lumps on hand inspection.
3.How do I know what I am feeling?
What if I don’t know what I’m feeling but I can’t feel it? Don’t worry, I’ll teach you a simple and easy way.
”Lips”
Normal breast tissue is soft and loose, and feels like your lips.
”Nose
Lobular hyperplasia tissue feels like the tip of your nose, a little tough but very elastic – except for beauties with cosmetic nose jobs.
”Forehead”
The most dreaded lump of breast cancer feels like your forehead, hard to the touch and not easy to push.
If you are still not sure, you should get checked by an experienced breast doctor as soon as possible.
4. Don’t forget to check the nipple areola area!
Remember to squeeze the nipple at the end to observe if there is any overflow and remember to see which hole appears to be the case. If you have to come to the clinic the next day, remember not to squeeze too much. If you squeeze all the water, the doctor will not be able to judge the nature and extent of the overflow.
Breast Cancer Screening
It is important to note that self-examination of the breast is not a good way to detect breast cancer at an early stage. In many cases, the abnormalities found by self-examination are not related to breast cancer, and it is not a substitute for other screening methods.
All you have to do about self-examination is to go to the hospital as early as possible for further examination if you find abnormalities.
China accounts for 12.2% of the number of new breast cancer cases and 9.6% of deaths worldwide each year, and breast cancer is also the most prevalent cancer among Chinese women, but the death rate of breast cancer is decreasing year by year, and it is a relatively well-treated cancer.
How can breast cancer be screened?
The American Cancer Society recommends that
1. 1 mammogram per year for women over 40 years old.
2. “High risk” (see below for details) women, regardless of age, need to have a breast MRI once a year.
3. Women between the ages of 20 and 39 should have their breast examined by a breast specialist once every three years, including external observation and palpation of the breast; women over the age of 40 should have their breast examined by a breast specialist once a year.
4. All women over the age of 20 can have their breasts examined by observation and touch.
”High risk” includes.
Getting a lifetime probability of breast cancer greater than 20% after professional risk calculation.
Genetic testing reveals a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
Having a parent, child, sibling with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
Have had radiation treatment to the chest at age 10-30 years, etc.
Whether you are at high risk or not, you need to consult a breast specialist.
End the rumors about breast health!
1. Bras are related to the occurrence of breast cancer Wrong!
The “bra causes cancer theory” believes that bras with steel supports prevent the flow of lymphatic fluid to the underarm area, where breast bacteria and other wastes are usually removed, and thus breast cancer occurs.
The 1991 study on breast cancer in women who wore bras did conclude that women who did not wear bras had fewer breast cancers, but this number was not statistically significant enough to support the hypothesis that “breast cancer is associated with bra wearing”. Now, after the verification of modern evidence-based medicine, the two actually have nothing to do with each other.
2. Lobular hyperplasia = breast cancer Wrong!
There are many patients who seek medical consultation because they are afraid that lobular hyperplasia will turn into breast cancer, and they think that the heavier the hyperplasia is, the more likely it is to get cancer. Since then, they live under the psychological shadow of this misconception and are in a state of fear every day, which seriously affects their quality of life.
In fact, lobular hyperplasia is a common disease, just like the common cold. In clinical practice, 95% of lobular hyperplasia is “simple lobular hyperplasia”, which is not cancerous; and the corresponding “atypical hyperplasia” is not necessarily cancerous in the future.
As for why women have “lobular hyperplasia”, it has a lot to do with emotions, diet, endocrine and other factors. There is no need to be nervous about lobular hyperplasia, but regular checkups and treatment as needed are sufficient.
Conclusion
Although breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in China, the treatment effect is relatively good. It is important to undergo screening and self-examination, and to go to a breast specialist or general surgery department of a regular hospital in time if problems are detected. Early detection, early consultation and early treatment, and no superstitious belief in “prescriptions”, breast cancer is not that scary.