Have You Done Your Breast Self-Exam?
The American Cancer Society estimates that 526 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer today.
In Canada, the figure is 53 per day and of those 53, 15 will die. Add that up and that’s 192 200 women in the US and 19 345 in Canada. What are the odds that one of them is someone you know? If we are all doing our monthly self-exams and remembering to schedule mammography, the that odds of many of these women will survive a fight with breast cancer increases greatly.
Why are self-exams so important?
The five minutes a month you spend on a breast self exam could save your life. Research has shown over and over that early detection saves lives. Early detection means that the cancer is found when it is smaller and less likely to have spread beyond the breast. This makes it much easier to treat and greatly increases the chances for survival.
Self exams are an important first step because you can often feel a lump before it has caused any other symptoms. Monthly self exams are necessary so that you know what ‘normal’ feels like for your breasts. As soon as you find anything unusual go to see your doctor. A clinical exam and possibly mammography or biopsy are necessary to determine what the lump is. Many lumps are benign (not harmful) and can be many things other than cancer, but for your own safety you need to know for sure.
If I’m doing my self-exams do I still need a mammogram?
Yes. Self exams alone aren’t enough. Clinical breast exams every year for those over 40 and every three years for women 20 – 39 along with yearly mammograms for women over 40 are necessary to find abnormalities in the breast long before you can feel them yourself. Self-exams, clinical exams and mammograms work best in combination.
The American Cancer Society estimates that if all cases of breast cancer were diagnosed at the localized stage, the odds of survival would increase to 95%. Mammograms are no one’s favorite activity, but they are quick, pain-free and effective. Do it for someone you love. Phone your best friend and go to get tested together. The accountability will help both of you keep the appointment and you can go for a well deserved lunch or afterwards to reward yourselves for being brave.
Need help getting started?
- Illustrated guides to the three step breast self-exam are available all over the Internet. The guide at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center site is one of the easiest to follow.
- You can make self-exams a habit by requesting Breast Cancer Info’s free shower card. This waterproof card illustrates and explains the self exam, and is designed to hang in your shower or on the bathroom door handle. Hang it somewhere where you will see it as a constant reminder.
- Many websites offer to send you an email reminder to your self exam. You can sign up at WINABC or the UCSD Cancer Center
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