Think Pink in October!
As many know it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. It is a great time to get in to the habit of doing a self-breast exam or reminding your female loved ones to do the same. I do mine the first day of the month…that way it is easy to remember and I know I have done it once a month. Here are some tips on how to breast self-exams:
1) I usually do mine in the shower - it makes it easier with soapy hands.
2) Always check in the mirror to make sure that you don’t see any changes in color or texture of your skin. Hold your arms up in the air to see under your arms. Also, examine your breast while bending at your waist, with your hands on your hips. This allows ou to check for any dimpling of the skin.
3) Either lying down or in your shower, use your three middle fingers of the opposite hand to make small, circular motions in an up and down pattern. Apply different measures of firmness to each area of the breast. Check all areas including your armpit and collarbone area.
4) If you find something that is suspect, make an appointment right away to see your physician or gynecologist. Don’t be scared or ignore it. The faster they check it out, the faster you will be on the road to treatment.
I had a small scare a few years back when I found something that felt funny. Thankfully, it was just some fiberous tissue. And of course it was scary getting a mammogram, but I am thankful that there are medical tests like to help doctors diagnose cancer in its early stages.
So start your self-exam schedule. If it has been a while since you had your last mammogram….then call your doctor and schedule one.
I will be posting other tips through out the month…
’Til next time,
Pam - www.womenforhope.com - In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we have increased our donation to CancerCare from 10% to 15% of the proceeds for all Breast Cancer Awareness Jewelry purchased during October.