Women’s Breast
Health
Everything a Woman Needs to Know about Breast Health
Breast cancer has the negative distinction of being the highest
incident rate of cancer amongst women. Hence, it is important
that women’s breast health include the following factors
in order to reduce the risk or early detection of breast cancer.
Those important components are such as regular mammograms,
breast exams by a professional and breast exams conducted
by the woman herself.
1. Mammograms
Mammogram is one of the important strategies in detecting
breast cancer as early as possible. Mammograms are soft tissue
examinations which are performed with x-ray technology. Through
mammography, films are taken of the breasts and examined by
radiologists for any abnormalities. If there are no abnormalities
are found in the exam it is labeled as negative which means
that there were no abnormal findings.
Women’s breast health care suggests that women who
age between 20 and 39, should receive a mammogram every three
years and for the woman above 40 of age or older should have
an annual mammogram conducted.
2. Professional Breast Exams
Besides the regularly scheduled mammograms, women should
have their breasts examined by their doctor on a regular basis
as a safe step. The doctor will simply conduct a physical
exam of the breasts with the purpose being to detect any possible
abnormal growths within the glands as early as possible.
Professional breast exams should be carried out by a physician
once every three years. This recommended length of time is
part of the women’s breast health strategy for women
who are from the ages of 20 to 39 and women who are 40 years
old and over should go for this exam annually.
3. Self-Examination
This is probably the most important exam conducted as component
of the women’s breast health program is self exams.
Women should make themselves accountable for the health of
her breasts.
There are many techniques that can be performed to be part
of the self examination of the breast. As part of your learning
curve, you should learn about self examination. Most importantly,
in women’s breast health, is understanding the different
feel between possible growths and the feel of normal breast
tissue.
The easiest method of breast examination is by simply looking
at your breasts. While standing in front of a mirror, with
the upper part of your body exposed, clasp both of your hands
behind your head. Women’s breast health should include
visually looking for any changes in the shape or dimensions
of the breasts. Additionally, the self examining woman should
check for any indentations of the skin or inverted nipples.
Another tip is to watch out for is any crusting or rashes
of the breast and/or nipples.
Next, feel your breast as part of a women’s breast
health effort. Two specific methods which can be utilized
are the circular method and the grid method.
The circular method makes use of the hand which is opposite
of the breast that is to be examined. The starting point for
this exam is at the very top of the breast being examined.
Use first three fingers of your hand, press gently and begin
to move the fingers in a circular motion around your breast.
This process should examine the entire top half of the breast
and slowly work towards the nipple. This technique will ensure
that all portions of the breast should be examined. The second
breast should be examined in the same manner.
As for the grid method, as part of the women’s breast
health examination, starts near the breast bone. Utilizing
your fingertips examine the entire area of the breast by moving
the fingers from the top part of the breast downward. The
exam is considered completed once the entire breast has been
examined using this method.
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