How to detect early signs – Your Breast Cancer Awareness Month Guide

We all know somebody impacted by cancer. We have heard or experienced heart-wrenching stories of loss and years of treatment due to tumours. When it comes to cancer, early detection can help improve your prognosis and increase your ability to get timely treatment. We commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October. It serves as our annual reminder to look after ourselves and check for signs of potential issues. Early detection and intervention have become crucial in ensuring proper treatment for breast cancer. Let us look at perhaps the most important of these early detection methods – the breast self-exam.

Before we dive into how to conduct a self-exam, let’s better understand this crucial and free diagnostic test.

A breast self-exam involves examining and feeling your breasts monthly to check for irregularities.

Cancer causes cells in your breast to grow unchecked. It can cause lumps or cysts that start small and could be malignant. Spotting these abnormalities helps the doctor conduct the required tests early and suggest necessary interventions. 

Menstruating women should conduct a breast self-exam every month, preferably after their period. Women with irregular periods and those who have entered menopause can pick a date and complete the self-exam on the same date every month.

Now, let’s learn how to conduct the self-exam.

You can complete the self-exam at any time during the day. Preferably, complete it while getting ready after your morning shower or when undressing to get ready for bed. Several women prefer conducting the exam while showering or lying on the bed at night.

There are three parts to the exam.

Stand in front of a mirror with your bra off. Place your arms on your sides and observe your breasts one at a time. Look for any signs of changes in the form of the breast. Check for swelling, dimpling or alterations in the nipples

Raise your hands over your head with your palms pressed together. Observe your breasts for any signs of change.

Finally, place your hands firmly on your hips and flex your chest muscles. Observe your breasts to identify signs of swelling, dimpling or other changes.

Start by checking your left breast with your right hand. You can move your fingers in circular patterns to cover the entire breast.

Press each area of your breast with the pads of your three middle fingers. Start with gentle pressure and increase it slightly until you finish with a firm press. Feel for any lumps, patches or other abnormality or irregularity.

Press the tissue under your left armpit to check for lumps. Then, check for discharge under the areola. Finally, press the nipple gently to check for any discharge.

Repeat the entire process with your right breast, using your left hand.

Place a pillow under your left shoulder and tuck your arm behind your head. The position allows your breast tissue to fall evenly, making it the ideal position to feel for changes.

Press and examine each part of your left breast with your right hand. Start with gentle pressure and increase it gradually. Check for patches, lumps and other abnormalities. 

Examine the tissue under your left armpit and check for abnormal discharge.

 Change your position. Tuck your right hand under your head and check your right breast with your left hand.

During the exam, you may notice one of the following:

• Change in the appearance of your breast or nipple
• Puffy, swollen, or dimpled skin or dark patches on the skin
• A rash or inward pulling of the nipple region or nipple discharge
• An ache under your arm, or redness or warmth in the skin around the underarm or breasts
• Lumps, hard knots or thickening of the breast area

If you do, consider visiting your primary care physician or gynaecologist. They can conduct a thorough exam and guide you on the next steps. Your doctor will likely order a breast ultrasound or mammogram to identify any issues and provide a diagnosis. The treatment will likely include a biopsy and radiation therapy or surgery.

Breast cancer, when localised and caught early, has an excellent prognosis with multiple treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal treatments and more. While your oncologist will advise you on the best course of treatment, it is always better to prepare yourself financially for such unforeseen events. 

The safest way to protect yourself and your finances is with a comprehensive health insurance policy. Identify plans that include critical illness coverage to ensure financial assistance after a cancer diagnosis. The payout from your insurance policy helps you pay for the required treatment or replace lost income while you recover. 

When it comes to dealing with cancer, early detection and quick action are crucial. Ensure you complete your breast self-exam monthly and visit your doctor if you notice any changes. Additionally, ensure you have a good insurance policy to look after your finances so you can focus on your health. Visit the Zuno website to find the ideal coverage for your needs.

ARN: Zuno/Blog/Educating yourself during breast cancer awareness month/10/23/07

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