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.
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