What should you feel during a self breast exam?

Does the birth control pill increase my risk of getting breast cancer?

Researchers, in a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in August 1986, concluded that overall, oral contraceptive use does not increase the risk of breast cancer.

Among the findings: 

• The risk of breast cancer was the same for women who had never taken the pill as for those who had, regardless of the length of time users had taken it, be it less than 12 months or more than 15 years.

• The brand and formula of the birth control pill had no relationship to the risk of breast cancer.

• The age at which a woman began using the pill or whether she had been pregnant or had a child before starting the pill did not matter.

• Women with a history of benign breast disease or a family history of breast cancer were not at increased risk.

The study did not answer questions about the effects of birth control pills on developing breast tissue when they are taken by adolescents. And because the pill has been available only since 1960, the study did not show what happens after many decades of use.

Is there any connection between breast feeding and breast cancer? 

For many years, it was thought that nursing helped to immunize women against breast cancer. Later studies seemed to indicate that women who nursed were more prone to cancer. Today, most scientists feel it is neither protective nor a risk.

Does cancer occur more often in any one part of the breast? 

Yes. About half of all breast cancers develop in the upper outer portion of the breast, the part of the breast closest to the underarm. The second most common site is the area surrounding the nipple, where about 18 percent of breast cancers are found.

I try to examine my breasts, but I'm not really sure what I'm looking for. What do I need to know?

 The first thing you should know is that it is important to do the breast exam not just to look for problems but mainly to get to know your own breast tissue so that you will recognize a change when you feel it. The exam should be done once a month. If you are menstruating, probably the best time to do it is within the week following your period. If you are no longer menstruating or have had a hysterectomy, you need to pick a day of the month that you will always use. Some women pick their birthdate. Some feel that the first day, the last day, or the fifteenth day of the month is the easiest to remember.

When you have an appointment with your doctor, you should ask him to teach you breast self examination after he has examined your breasts. Then you will know what your breast feels like when it is normal and he can answer any questions you have about what you are feeling. You can also get an illustrated pamphlet on breast self-examination by calling the American Cancer Society office near you or the Cancer Information Service.

Just how should I examine my breasts? 

Your breast self examination should be done in three steps. First, look in the mirror with your arms down at your side. Make sure you have a good light that is not casting any shadows and a big enough mirror. Look at the shape of your nipples, and notice the contour of your breasts. The nipples are usually more or less equal and pointing outward. The contour of both breasts is usually sloping downward. Although the shape and size of each breast may be different, the contour is usually the same. Now look at the same features with your arms over your head. Then rest the palms of your hands on your hips and press down firmly to flex your chest muscles. In all these views you are looking for any changes a swelling; any puckering, scaling, or dimpling of skin; nipples which have retracted; a change in contour. If you regularly inspect what is normal, you will have confidence in your examination and your ability to see something not normal.

What is the second step? 

The second step is to examine yourselfwhen you are wet either during a shower or a bath with soap on your breast. Some of the lumps most difficult to find can be picked up most easily in a soapy breast. Your hands will easily glide over your wet, soapy skin. With your fingers flat, move gently over every part of each breast. Use your right hand to examine the left breast and your left hand for your right breast. Raise the opposite arm while you examine the entire breast. You are looking for any lump, hard knot, or thickening. Pay special attention to the area between the breast and armpit, including the armpit itself.

What is the third step of the breast self examination? 

Next you lie down. To examine your right breast, put a pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder. Place your right arm behind your head. This will distribute the breast tissue more evenly on your chest. With your left hand, fingers flat, press gently in small circular motions around an imaginary clock face. Begin at the outermost top of your breast (imagine that is 12 o'clock on the clock), then move around the breast (to 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock, etc., until you get back to 12). At the lower curve of your breast, you will feel a ridge of firm tissue. That is normal. Then move in an inch, toward the nipple, and keep circling to examine every part of your breast, including the nipple. This will require you to make at least three more circles. Now slowly repeat the same process on your left breast with a pillow under your left shoulder and your left hand behind your head. During this process you are again looking for lumps, hard knots, or thickening. Finally, squeeze the nipple of each breast gently between your thumb and your index finger. You are making sure there is no discharge. If there is any discharge, clear or bloody, you should immediately report it to your doctor.

Watch the video and learn how to conduct a Self Breast Examination.

Link

My friend found a lump in her breast several weeks ago and won't go to the doctor. What can I tell her to make her go? 

There are several things you can try:

• First of all, tell her that about 80 percent of the lumps which are found prove to be non cancerous. Her chances are eight out of ten that it will prove to be nothing. For her own peace of mind, she should have a doctor evaluate the lump.

• Second, if the lump does prove to be cancerous, her chances of the cancer being arrested are much higher if it is found at an early stage than if she lets it continue to grow.

• Suggest that you or a family member make the appointment for her. It is sometimes hard for people to take the first step, to pick up the phone and call the doctor, to admit that something might be wrong.

• Offer to accompany her to the doctor's office or talk to a family member about going with her. If she is frightened, it could be very helpful for her to have someone go along with her to share the experience.