Let’s Talk Breast!

Hola all pretties, with the Breast Cancer Awareness month underway (Pink October) we, at GetDoc, would like to bring to you a series of educational articles on Breast Cancer. Did you know breast cancer has been known to be the number 1 killer disease among Malaysian women?

Society doesn’t like to talk about uncomfortable topics – especially cancer. Even in this day and age, we hesitate to talk about breast cancer. A lot of women don’t even know their family medical history. If discovered early, breast cancer has a higher survival rate compared to other cancers.

Some women feel shy to consult a doctor in this regard, so before you go to a doctor, you can always perform 5 simple steps of breast self-examination at home before asking for the second opinion.

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Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3: While you’re at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood)

Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast.

Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower.

If you are between the ages of 35-40, schedule a baseline mammography. If you are younger than 35, and your mother or sister has had breast cancer in the past, get a mammogram 10 years earlier than when your family member was diagnosed. If you are older than 40, you are already behind. Make an appointment. Annual mammography in this group will reduce breast cancer deaths by at least 15 percent.

Content credit: Courtney Hampson

Tags

• Breast Cancer
• breast cancer awareness
• breast self examination
• mammogram