Breast Cancer and Self Examination

What is Breast Cancer? Breast Cancer Awareness.

Breast self-examination is a test of your breasts. For breast Cancer Prevention, one can use  his sight and hands to detect the changes in the look and shape or size of the breasts. When someone can recognize any change in her breast, She should contact the Medical Doctor and tell about the change. Although many breast changes found during breast screening may detect Benign Cancer, some changes may indicate something more serious, such as Malignant breast cancer. 

Most medical associations do not advocate breast self examination. As Breast screening does not always proves to be accurate in detection of the breast cancer or improving the quality of life of the patients. However, Health Professionals believe it is beneficial for women to get used to their breasts, so they understand what is normal and what is not,

What are types of Breast Cancer?

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) 
Invasive breast cancer (ILC or IDC)
Triple-negative breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer
Paget disease of the breast
Angiosarcoma
Phyllodes tumor

Staging refers to how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. Grading refers to how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope.

In the UK, different systems are used to stage cancer. The most common one is the TNM system. The second number is the staging system. The number staging system divides cancer into 4 stages, from 1 to 4. These are aggressive cancers. This means that cancer cells have developed through the lining of the tubules into the surrounding tissue.

Stage 0 is used for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). It is a pre-invasive cancer. Cancer cells are in the tubules and have not begun to spread to the surrounding tissue.
Stage 1 cancer means the cancer is small and only in tissue or it can be found in lymph nodes close to. This is an early stage cancer.
Stage 2 cancer means the cancer is either in or in nearby lymph nodes, or both.This is an early stage cancer.
Stage 3 means the cancer has spread to closer to the lymph nodes or to the skin or chest wall. It is also called locally advanced stage cancer.
Stage 4 Cancer means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. You may call it advanced cancer, secondary cancer, or metastatic cancer.

Normal Breast:

There is no standard for a typical Breast. A breast normal for you may not be normal for some other women. Abnormal is when a female feels that the breasts are not normal in shape and size.

Breast Cancer Screening?

In Healthy Person, screening is performed in different ways to detect early changes in the body and early diagnosis and treatment which result in the Better Quality of life. Most of the breast  cancers are detected by the women themselves while screening.

Some investigations can be performed on the basis of screening results.

Mammography

It is an X-ray of the Breast with low radiation Exposure. It can Detect Breast lumps in females and male. 4 out of 100 women may have cancer in the world.

Mammography

Tests for Breast Cancer

HER2 Receptors
BRCA Gene
CA 125
CA 15.3
CA 29
Biopsy for Breast Cancer
FNAC for Breast Cancer
Bone scan 
Breast MRI Scan
Breast Physical Exam
Breast Self Examination
Chest Xray
FISH Test
IHC Test
PET scan for Breast Cancer
Ultrasound for Breast Cancer
Thermography

Breast Cancer Symptoms:

Below are the most common breast cancer symptoms:

Swelling/ Lump in the Breast
Change in the breast
Discharge from breast
Pain
Cyst
Retraction of nipple
Swelling in the Armpit
Dimple in the Breast
Color change in the breast

Treatment:

Mastectomy
Radiation Therapy
Chemotherapy
Hormone Therapy

Tips & Steps for Self Examination of the Breast

Self Examination of breast helps in getting familiar with your breast about its shape, size and nipple. but while performing this procedure you may feels anxiety if you find some lump/ discharge/ nipple retraction. So do not get worried about any thing abnormal until you pass through a definite physical examination and investigation for breast cancer. 

Remember, a doctor is not familiar with your breast shape and size. Its you who can detect any change in your breast.

Before you perform the self examination, learn it from your doctor and perform in front of her to avoid any mistake.

Best Time for Breast examination:

Week after your Cycle ends is the best day for the examination.  Select the day when your breast are soft ( minimal Tender). Breast swelling decreases with the start of the cycle. 

When to do the breast screening?

You can do this while changing the cloth or taking a bath. while taking a bath your fingers can move more smoothly over your breast.

Tips for breast Examination:

Always use pads of the finger. Do not use the tips of the finger to feel the lump in the breasts. You can use softer part of your hand or back of your fingers for this purpose.

Press your breast with different force. and perform it very calm manner. Because if you are in hurry you can miss important change or thing in your breast which can lead to breast cancer in future. 

Divide your breast into imaginary 4 parts like a plate and screen each part from outer side and move towards the nipple. 

Position: Lying

Lie down on your back on a flat bed or surface, without bra and shirt. breast will spread over your chest. you can detect any change with your hands.

Position: Standing

breast self Examination

Step# 1

Stand in front of Mirror without shirt and bra. keep your both arms at sides of your body.Look into the mirror at your breast and look for the following thing:

• Dimple
• Nipple inversion (Turned inward)
• Discharge
• Difference in Shape or size of any breast

Breast Cancer Examination

Step# 2

Place your hands at your hips and look again at your breast for the above changes.

Step# 3

Now Raise your arm above head (keeping the arms in hands up position) inspect your breast for the above mentioned changes.

Breast Cancer

Step# 4

Now Lower down your arm and lift the breast from the bottom to check its lower margin for any change.

Breast Cancer examination in Lying position

Result of Screening?

You may find a hard mass or multiple mass in one or both breast which can move with the fingers. 

you can detect any dimple in your breast. 

You may notice any discharge from the nipple.

Pain with palpation may be a sign.

For any of the above findings you need to contact a doctor for further procedures.