Lumps In Breast

Studies have shown that chances of breast cancer recovery increases when lumps in breast are detected early. Even though 9 out of 10 are non-cancerous breast lumps, it is still best to seek advice from a doctor.

Average breast lump size through regular mammograms is 1.1cm or smaller and the average breast lump size found by self-examination is 2.1cm. However, lumps sizes and breast cancer stages are not related.

What Do Breast Lumps Feel Like?

Breast lump will normally feel smooth and squishy, in some instances, breast lumps in women feels like a mass or heap of tissues which can be hard or soft. A hard lump points toward a breast cancer or malignant tumor while soft masses are generally of benign origin. Cancerous breast lumps have irregular surface and is generally immobile while benign breast lumps are usually smooth and mobile. Breast lumps can be located near the armpits, near the nipples and also look for lump at bottom of breast.

How To Check For Breast Lumps?

1. Look For Physical Changes

a. Stand in front of a mirror with your arms at the sides and look for:
- Any changes in each breast size and shape
- Any dimpling of the skin
- Any change in nipples appearance
- Any discharge from the nipples when it is squeeze gently

b. Repeats the breast check for lumps with your arms raised above or behind your head

c. Repeats the checking for breast lumps a third time, now with your hands on your hips and with chest muscles tensed

2. Feel For Physical Changes

a. Lie down with a pillow under your left shoulder and place your left hand under your head

b. Use the middle three fingers of the right hand and hold fingers flat to exam for lumps in the left breast

c. Press firmly using small circular movements to check for breast lumps

d. Check the entire breast, armpit and around the nipple where lumps can be located

e. Repeat the above checking steps using your left hand to check for breast lumps in the right breast.

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month - "Early Detection Saves Lives, Saves Breasts".

OCTOBER BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Why is october breast cancer awareness month? Komen held their first Race for the Cure in October 1983 which garnered a lot of attention that other countries followed suit. National Breast Cancer Month (NBCM) organization has designated October to be the official awareness month, even though the organization is working on educating and raising awareness all year long. The first program took place in October 1985 when they held a week long event.

October is also known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is an international health campaign designed to bring awareness to a disease that affects 1 out of every 8 women. In rare, yet still documented cases, it also affects one out of every one thousand men.

The pink ribbon, the symbol for breast cancer awareness was invented in 1991 by Evelyn H. Lauder, founder & president of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Alexandra Penney. During the month of October people wear the pink ribbon everywhere. To show their support people wear anything pink, be it ribbons, scarves, clothes, you name it.

Breast Cancer Awareness:

1) Studies have shown that estradiol alone does not cause breast cancer.

2) Our bodies have the highest levels of estrogen in them when our breast cancer risk is almost zero. It is not until we hit menopause (when our levels are at their lowest) that the risk goes up.

3) Study that showed a small increase in breast cancer was majorly flawed. Also, the the women in the arm of the study that showed this small increase in breast cancer were also on Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ( a very bad progesterone loaded with negative side effects for the body). It is this hormones which can cause breast cancer; not bio-identical progesterone or estrogens.

4) Testosterone ( a major hormone for health and well being) will LOWER breast cancer risk.

5) NOT ALL HORMONES ARE CREATED EQUAL! Our bodies were designed to be perfect. Estrogen was placed in our bodies for a major reason. It is when molecules which are not exactly the same as our original hormones are introduced issues may arise.

6) Breast cancer is the most common cancer that affects women.

7) It is also the second leading cause of cancer death in women between ages 20 and 59 (the first being lung cancer).

8) Although it can be rare, it accounts for 1% of male cancer patients.

9) Young women are also at risk, accounting for 5% of breast cancer patients.

10) Risk factors for breast cancer include age, ethnicity, family history, diet, hormonal factors, clinical factors, alcohol use and radiation.

11) People can be carrying the disease for years without them knowing.

12) You can minimize your risk through early detection.

Remember it all starts with the education, so remember to get your girls checked and remind other women close to you to do the same.