Breast Awareness and Pap Smear
Friday, June 13th, 2008It is important to know how to look for changes in your breasts. If breast cancer is detected early there is a better chance for successful treatment. Cervical cancer is also a common form of cancer in women. A Pap smear is a simple test to check the health of your cervix. Pap smears every two years helps protect you against cervical cancer.
Breast Awareness
Every woman should be familiar with her own breasts - knowing what is ‘normal7 for you is important.
Changes to look for are:
* A lump, lumpiness or thickening. For younger women - any change that is not related to the monthly cycle and remains after the menstrual period For women of all ages - if the change is in only one breast.
* Changes to the nipple - shape, crusting, a sore or an ulcer, redness or withdrawal of nipple.
* Unusual discharge from either nipple.
* Changes in the skin of the breast -puckering or dimpling of the skin, unusual redness or other colour changes.
* Pain - persistent and unusual, remains after your period, and occurs in one breast only.
* Change in shape or size of a breast.
How to look for changes in your breasts
Stand looking at your breasts and nipples in front of a long mirror.
Do this with your:
* arms by your sides
* arms raised over the head, turning slowly from side to side
* hands on your hips, pressing firmly down to tense the breast muscles and thrust the breasts forward
Feel your breasts from time to time and remember your breasts extend under your collarbone, and up under your arm pits. Don’t forget to feel the areas around the nipples.
Look for any of the changes mentioned above and compare the two breasts.
Important
* If you discover any breast changes that are not normal for you it is important to see your doctor straight away.
* The majority of women who find a breast change will be relieved to know that is not breast cancer.
* For those women whose changes are due to breast cancer, the sooner the diagnosis is made the better the chance of effective treatment and the more treatment choices.
