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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-03-31, Page 48Be sensible and live Most lumps not serious One of these days you may be casually towelling yourself after bathing and discover you have a lump in one of your breasts. Unfortunately, a great number of women are panic stricken at this initial discovery. Fearful of cancer and 'a i-adical mastectomy, they carry this secret for months, sometimes years without discussing it with anyone, even their own doctor. This is the worst course of abtion that anyone can take. Because 'so little is known about the causes of breast cancer and therefore a means of prevention has yet to ,.be discovered, the best hope you have lies in early detection, diagnosis and treatment. And the sooner, the better for you, should you discover you have a lump in your breast. First of all, cancer is the ui controlled or abnormal growth of body cells without respect for the normai fun- ctions of the body. Yet every day billions of normal cells in our bodies grow and are replaced continually. Cancer, as a lump in the breast, is only one of the many diseases that can affect the breast. In fact 85 percent of the lumps are not cancer, so many of your fears over a lump in the breast are not warranted. For example, cysts and other non -cancerous lumps are not a 'serious health hazard even though they should never be ignored. Have your physician check it out at the earliest possible time. Pain in the breasts is often due to hormone changes during the menstrual cycle. While pain can sometimes accompany the development of cancer in the breast, this is not a usual occurrence. That's why it is so im- portant to examine your breasts on a frequent and regular basis and to see your doctor if you note anything unusual. Indications are that some women are more prone to this disease than others. Why we don't know yet. We do know that the occurrence of breast cancer increases with age. And those with previous cancer of one breast or those whose immediate family have had this disease do tend to be more susceptible, as well as women with a history of other kinds of breast diseases, or older women who have not borne children. This year in Canada, 7,000 women will get breast can- cer. The number of lives that can be saved will depend greatly on early detection and treatment. That's why we cannot stress enough the importance of regular breast self-examination. Before you say, 'that's easy you simply touch yourself in the area', let us explain. You're right when you say it's easy, but there is a method to use that gives better assurance that you can detect any growth by touch. If you're not sure of the method, a demonstration of the technique of breast self- examination can be per- formed by your physician during a regular physical check-up. But because we suggest you perform this examination on a monthly basis, it becomes more important that you learn to do this siniple procedure yourself. It should be done a few days after the end of your period. One way is to lie on your bed with a folded towel under your right shoulder and your right hand under your head. Examine your right breast using the flat part of the fingertips of the opposite hand with .a gentle circular motion. Be sure to examine 1 2 each quarter of your breast and include the nipple area and the armpit area. Repeat this above procedure on your left breast with your left hand under your head. Some women find breast self-examination easier if done while bathing. You could ask your doctor what method he would suggest. What is important with this breast self-examination is that you learn what is normal for you so that should any lumpy develop, it may be detected at' a very early stage. Of course should you detect any abnormalities, see your physician as soon as possible. Don't wait. When you report any ab- normality to your physician he may take a kind of x-ray picture, of your breast using one of the modern techniques called 'mammography' or 'xerography'; or he may use thermography' which is not an x-ray but measures the heat output of the breast. Or he may simply perform. a biopsy which involves the removal of tissue from the area. But remember most lumps are not serious as we said earlier. Some are cysts which may be drained with a needle. Or surgically removed. Others require only periodic observation by your physician. In the event that cancer is diagnosed, the treatment varies for each person. Probably the thought of a radical mastectomy has been the one thing that has caused many women to hide the fact that they have a lump in a breast. And for many years this was the most common operation for breast cancer. In order to prevent further spread of the cancer and to ensure that all affected tissue was removed, it was necessary to remove the breast, underlying chest muscles and glands in the armpit. Today how breast cancers, depen how early they are de the patient's age aril extent of the cancer, involve one of three cho The surgeon may pe modified mastectomy the breast and gla removed but leavf muscles, a simple tomy where justtheb removed, or a lum where mily the tumour margin of breast around it are rem Radiation therapy mil be used in additl surgery. In summing up, we that you now realize' importance of regular self-examination and: early reporting of any normality, because ai stated in the beginning, a means of prevention been discovered your hope lies in early dia and treatment. • Breast self•examination L U U Sit or stand in front of your mirror. with your arms relaxed at your sides. and examine your breasts carefully for any changes in size and shape. Look for any puckering or dimpling of the skin. and for any discharge or change in the nipples. Raise both your arms over your head. and look for exactly the same things. See if there's been any change since you last examined your breasts. Lie on your bed. put a pillow or a bath towel under your left shoulder and your left hand under your head. (From this Step through Step 8, you should feel for a lump or thickening.) With the fingers of your right hand held together flat, press gently but firmly with small circular motions to feel the inner, upper quarter of your left breast, starting at your breast -bone and going outward toward the nipple line. Also feel the area around the nipple. With the same gentle pressure. feel the lower inner part of your breast. Incidentally, in this area you will feel a ridge of firm tissue or flesh Don't be alarmed This is perfectly normal • Now bung your left arm down to your side, and still using the flat part of your fingers, feel under your armpit. Use the same gentle pressure to feel the upper. outer quarter of your breast from the nipple line to where your arm is resting. And finally, feel the lower outer section of your breast, going from the outer part to the nipple. Repeat the entire procedure on the right breast. Your own doctor may want you to use a slightly different method of examination. Ask him to teach you that method. Examine your breasts every month, just after your period. Be sure to continue these checkups after your change of life. If you find a lump or thickening leave it alone until you see your doctor. Don't be frightened, Most breast lumps or changes are not cancer. but only your doctor can tell. ear ci Na mf as Ila or del raiz ble pr d or to el "1 ful, mo car hon ase war in 'r 1h regi al hi Icrc Mer This informative publication Is brought to you with the kind co-operation of the following DEARBORN STEEL TUBING MFG COMPANY (CANADA) LTD. L. H. JENKINS LTD. 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