OCTOBER - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is an important time to focus on becoming more aware of this disease and to help in the fight against it.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month seeks to get the message out about breast cancer. Early diagnosis is important. Routine examinations can save lives. Information about treatment options and stories about how to deal with surgery and chemotherapy can ease the burden for cancer sufferers, their families and friends.

Common themes that stand out in these stories of breast cancer survival center on faith, prayer, family, friends and community support. We learn about caring medical professionals, employers, church families and friends who step up to help breast cancer sufferers. These acts of Kindness help immeasurably and allow patients to focus on their recovery knowing that others are there to help.

Breast Changes to Watch for During a Breast Self-Exam

• Any new lump or hard knot found in the breast or underarm
• Any lump or thickening that does not shrink or lessen after your next period
• Any change in the size, shape or symmetry of your breast
• A thickening or swelling of the breast
• Dimpling, skin irritation or other change in the breast skin or nipple
• Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
• Nipple discharge (fluid coming from your nipples other than breast milk), particularly if the discharge is bloody, clear and sticky, dark and occurs without squeezing your nipple
• Nipple retraction: turning or drawing inward or pointing in a new direction

If you find any of these changes, see your health care provider as soon as possible for a clinical evaluation. It is important to keep in mind that most breast lumps women find, as Olivia Newton-John’s early ones, are normal. So, don’t be afraid to get to know your body and to follow up with your doctor.

There is a Learning Curve for Self-Examination.

Self-examination is about “storing information about your breast tissue” in the brain, so you can be aware of changes. If you self-examine for the first time, chances are that you feel very little. This is because the brain has no former memory about how your breast tissue feels and “needs to learn about it” (what is called “conditioning“).

How does the brain learn? Repetition! If you keep self-examining once a month, within a few times only, your brain will remember and you will start recognizing how your breast tissue feels. You will be so much more aware of how your breasts feel normally (don’t forget to do it the same day each months!) This can help you to possibly recognize changes early on.

If you find something that feels not right, contact your health care provider right away. Most of the time it is nothing, but you need to get a professional opinion.

Take charge of your health. Self-exam. Once a month. Every month.

Why Self-Checking Matters

Throughout a woman’s life, her breast tissue goes through many natural changes, such as menstruation, puberty, pregnancy, breast feeding, menopause, and normal weight changes. There can be lumpiness, swelling, and discomfort, unique to each woman. It is important to be aware and know what is normal to you, so that you have a better chance of recognizing changes. Immediately discuss any changes with your doctor. Every woman’s breasts are as unique as the woman herself, it is important to know what is normal for oneself.