FitSugar

What If You Do Find a Lump?

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

A few weeks ago a study stated that self-breast exams didn't save lives, but I am not buying it. Many women I know have caught their breast cancer early because they did monthly exams. So if you're still a believer and continue to check yourself monthly, you should be reassured to know that most lumps you find aren't cancerous. Here's what you may feel according to Living.Health.com:

A soft lump: It's smooth and round (like a grape), and it moves a little when you press on it. This lump may be painful to the touch, and it can range in size from small to large. It could be a cyst or sacs filled with natural fluid, but you should get an ultrasound just to be sure. If it is a cyst, your doctor may recommend that you go on the Pill to lower your chance of developing cysts.

A hard lump: This will feel like a clearly defined smooth, hard, rubbery, round lump. It could be small like a pea, or up to five inches wide. If you can move it around under your skin and it doesn't hurt, then it sounds like it's a fibroadenoma, which is a noncancerous tumor. They're not as common as cysts, but not uncommon for women in their 20s and 30s since they're caused by hormonal changes. Of course, it's best to have your doctor take a look and perform some tests just to make sure.

To find out what else you may feel and what it means read more.

Fluid: If fluid is leaking from both nipples, it could be cause by a thyroid or pituitary problem. Talk to your doctor and if it is a gland issue, medication should clear it right up.

Soft mass: You could feel a soft lumpy mass that's about one to four inches wide, and it may be tender right before your period. It most likely is caused by fluctuations in your hormones, which thickens breast tissue. This isn't anything a little acetaminophen or ibuprofen (or chocolate) can't take care of.

Hard Mass: If you feel a solid, irregular shaped mass with jagged edges that won't move when you push on it, this is something to be concerned with. It could be a cancerous tumor so call your doc and schedule a mammogram.

Fit's Tip: This info isn't meant to scare you, but since you are the one person who can notice changes in your breasts, it's best to know what to look for. If you ever have any concerns, I'd recommend seeing your doctor because you'll feel relieved to get a professional opinion.

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Self Breast Exams – No Longer Needed?

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

If you often forget to perform your monthly self breast exams, you can rest easier and maybe even take the item off your to do list. An analysis by Cochrane Collaboration of two large studies on self breast exams (SBE) found that monthly self exams did not reduce breast cancer deaths. Even worse, these self exams lead to increased numbers of biopsies of benign lumps.

Like many women, this news perplexes me. But then again many women are perplexed by SBE to begin with since many lumps and bumps are perfectly normal. Many women are not quite sure how to perform a self exam and what exactly they are feeling for. This might be the reason why SBE aren't helping save lives. While I have friends who have survived breast cancer and these women found the tumors during their monthly breast exams, I still routinely forget to do mine. Due to the experience of my friends, I will continue to periodically do my SBE. A growing number of public health officials believe that unless a woman is highly motivated to do the self exams, due to a genetic risk for breast cancer, that the SBE are not necessary, especially for women in their 20s and 30s.

What do you think of this news? Are you relieved or confused? Tell me in the comment section below.

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Good News: Cancer Deaths on the Decline

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:30:00 -0700

October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I have been reading a lot about breast cancer and how it affects lives. I don't think I have cried this much while surfing the web. When I saw the headline "Report Shows Cancer Deaths Declining," I felt like jumping for joy! A new report indicates that cancer deaths in the US are down. Looks like the prevention strategies of early detection and better treatments are working and the statistics show it.

Two things are still problematic, though. One being that Native Americans are not benefiting from the prevention strategies at the same rate as other Americans. The second problem is smoking. Oh how I hate smoking. It seems the number of women smoking is not decreasing, and more people are taking up the icky habit earlier. Here are a few reasons and tips on quitting smoking, just in case you need them.

To end on a good note and with a little healthful reminder: Breast cancer deaths are down (that is the "good note"), but not enough women are getting breast exams (that would be the reminder – and here is a way to get an email reminder every month from iVillage). Also be sure to get an annual clinical breast exam.

Self Breast Exam Reminder

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Many of us do so many things for others that we often forget, neglect or don't make time to do important things for ourselves. One preventative measure that slips through the cracks is monthly self breast exams. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to tell you about an e-mail reminder for your self breast exam offered by iVillage. All you have to do to sign up is give them your e-mail address. On the 15th of every month you will receive a reminder along with health tips and a complete guide to doing self exams! I urge you to sign up today, since we can all use healthy reminders.

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Do You Do a Breast Exam Every Month?

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 08:45:43 -0700

You might have seen the somewhat provocative ad (a woman with her fingers over her nipple) for the Susan Komen Foundation for a Cure. It is a great organization and the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. They also fund research for curing breast cancer. Looking at the ad every day has gotten me wondering if you all do self breast examinations monthly since early detection is key.

Breast lump self exam

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:50:19 -0700

Illustrations

Female Breast

Breast self-exam

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Alternative Names

Self-examination of the breast

Information

Breast cancer is easier to treat the earlier it is found. For that reason, some experts recommend that women over age 20 perform a monthly breast self exam to look for new lumps and other changes. The self exam has limitations, however, and is NOT a substitute for regular breast examinations from your doctor or screening mammograms.

Talk to your health care provider about the pros and cons of performing self exams. If you do perform monthly exams, do them 3-5 days after your period, when your breasts are the least tender and lumpy.

First, lie on your back. Place your right hand behind your head. With the middle fingers of your left hand, gently yet firmly press down using small motions to examine the entire right breast. Then, while sitting or standing, examine your armpit (commonly skipped) because breast tissue extends to that area. Gently squeeze the nipple, checking for discharge. Repeat the process on the left breast.

Use one of the patterns shown in the diagram to make sure that you are covering all of the breast tissue. You are feeling for any lump or thickness that stands out or feels new.

Although some women find it easiest to do the exam in the shower, when the skin is soft and wet, you are more likely to examine all of the breast tissue if you are lying down.

Next, stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your side. Look at your breasts directly AND in the mirror for changes in skin texture (such as dimpling, puckering, indentations, or skin that looks like an orange peel), shape, contour, or the nipple turning inward. Do the same with your arms raised above your head.

Discuss any changes you find right away with your doctor. It is helpful to know that all women have some lumps. If you do monthly exams, it is important to do them at the same time in your monthly cycle. Know that the value of monthly exams is controversial.

References

Smith RA, Cokkinides V, Brawley OW. Cancer Screening in the United States, 2008: A Review of Current American Cancer Society Guidelines and Cancer Screening Issues. CA Cancer J Clin. 2008;58;161-179.

Review Date: 5/26/2008

Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_001993

Breast self-exam

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:34:58 -0700

Back

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Monthly breast self-exams should always include visual inspection (with and without a mirror) to note any changes in contour or texture and manual examination in standing and reclining positions to note any unusual lumps or thicknesses.

Review Date:
12/31/2007
Reviewed By:
Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Breast self-exam

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:24:37 -0700

Back

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Monthly breast self-exams should always include: visual inspection (with and without a mirror) to note any changes in contour or texture; and manual inspection in standing and reclining positions to note any unusual lumps or thicknesses.

Review Date: 6/7/2006

Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 2_17022