Know How You Can Self Breast Examine to Check for Cancer

Breast Cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women in India. According to Breast Cancer India, every 4 minutes, 1 woman in India is diagnosed with this disease. These numbers are alarming and set to grow since India has a majorly young population. Even though one cannot predict or entirely prevent Breast Cancer, early detection is the best way to prevent it from being fatal. As the adage goes, “A stitch in time saves nine”, it is essential for women to recognize the early signs of Breast Cancer rather than getting diagnosed later when it is at a more dangerous state. There are several centers where one can visit for Breast Cancer Treatment in Pune and other parts of the country if needed. Since recognizing the early signs of it is very crucial, it is recommended that women should do a self-check exam once a month and visit a doctor whenever they notice any abnormality. Here are the steps you need to follow while conducting a Self-Breast Examination Check: Although it is commonly known that breast cancer presents itself as a lump in the breast, breast cancer may manifest itself in other ways as well. Also, a lump may not always mean cancer. It could also be a benign lump. Only malignant tumours are cancerous. Hence while doing the self-examination, these are the changes you should look for (Source: breastcancer.org) ● Dimpling, Puckering or Bulging of the skinrn● Change in size or shapern● Redness, Soreness, Rash or Swellingrn● A nipple that has changed position or invertedrn● Any signs of fluid coming out of one or both Nipples (this can be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood) ● Constant pain in the Breast or Armpit These are the steps that you should follow when looking for the above-mentioned changes: Step 1: Stand in front of the mirror in your normal posture. Let your hand down normally and observe if you can see any of the changes mentioned above. Step 2: while standing in front of the mirror, place your hands comfortably on your hips. Then lean forward by pulling your elbows and shoulders forward. Look for the mentioned changes and note if you feel any pain. Step 3: Raise your arms and place them behind your head. Look for the mentioned changes. Step 4: Gently squeeze your Nipples to check if there is any discharge being released. Step 5: While lying down, use your left hand to feel your right breast and vice versa. Use a uniform and firm grip. Smoothly glide your fingers and then the palm of your hand over your breasts in a circular motion to check if you feel any changes. Cover the entire area from each side and top to bottom as well. Make sure you also check near your Armpit and Collarbone. Step 6: Finally, conduct the same steps for self-examination as mentioned above when you are sitting. You should also follow the same steps while you are in the shower as well and cover the area of your entire breast as described in the previous steps. If you notice any changes as mentioned before, even a minor change that you might feel is insignificant, visit a Breast Cancer Doctor in Pune or your nearest city soon to rule out any possibilities. rnAccording to Breast Cancer India, one woman dies of Breast Cancer every 8 minutes in our country. Breast Cancer is a severe disease that can be well controlled if it is detected early. So make sure that you conduct a self-breast examination as it can save your life.