Breast cancer information

Breast Cancer information
Diagnosing breast cancer with self examination

All woman should take the threat of breast cancer seriously especially if they are over 38 years of age. The risk of breast cancer is very high for women, even if they have a very healthy lifestyle or diet. While the threat is high, the chances of survival is also very high especially if there is early detection, diagnosis and treatment. Hence, it is important that all women learn the techniques involved in self examination for breast cancer in the privacy of their home. Husbands should encourage their spouse to perform breast self examination as early as possible.

While the disease can be terminal, if breast cancer is spotted early, there are many procedures that you can undergo to stop the problem. In this article, we’ll talk about self examination for breast cancer and the various techniques to confirm the existence of breast cancer.

It is of utmost importance for all women over 40 to be screened once per year for breast cancer via a mammogram. A mammogram is basically an x-ray of the breast tissue and is performed by doctors.

While mammograms aren’t one hundred percent perfect, they are the best procedure we currently have for diagnosing breast cancer. Studies show that death by breast cancer in women fifty years of age or older is reduced by a full thirty five percent by getting regular mammograms.

In addition to this yearly mammogram, all women should conduct a self-examination for breast cancer on a monthly basis. This test should address the look and feel of the breast.

Get to know exactly what your breasts look like on an every-day basis so that you can better note any changes that may have occurred. It’s best to conduct a breast cancer exam roughly seven days after the end of your period, giving you the opportunity to perform the test when your breasts are the least sore. When performing the test, you should note whether or not the breasts are the normal size, shape, and color.

Also, it’s important to ensure that your breasts are shaped evenly and lack any significant swelling. If you note any difference in the skin of the breast, such as a dimpling of the skin or a bulging of it, it’s important to let a doctor know immediately. In addition, if your nipple has changed position or even began to invert, pointing inwards, a doctor should be notified.

Next, raise your arms above your head and ensure that there is no noticeable difference in the breasts regarding the previously discussed factors. Another key step in a self exam is to lightly squeeze the nipples to ensure that there is no discharge. If there is a fluid discharge that is milky, yellow, or blood, be sure to note it and discuss it with your doctor immediately.

The next step in a self-breast exam is to lay down. The breasts sit a different way when you are laying down, and you should probe the entire length and width of your breasts, noting any abnormalities. As you perform the exam, increase the pressure of your touch so that you can feel all parts of the breast.

The last step in a breast cancer exam is to sit or stand and perform the same probing with your hands. A lot of women find it best to perform this exam after a shower so that their skin is wet and slippery, easing the process. Again, if you note any differences in the breast tissue while performing this exam, it is important to contact your doctor and take action immediately.

Breast cancer statistics
Follow-up treatment to confirm the existence of breast cancer

All women should be encouraged to perform breast self examination, especially if they are older than 40 years old. Follow the techniques we have outlined for you above. In the event you suspect that you may have breast cancer after self examination, seek medical help immediately. Remember that early treatment and mean the difference between life and death, so do not hesitate seeking medical help at all.

There are usually a number of steps involved in diagnosing breast cancer which includes an assessment of the woman's breast, ulrasonography, mammography and biopsy. A biopsy is the best way that breast cancer can be diagnosed, as all the other tests have a flaw to a certain degree.

A patient undergoes a breast examination which consists first of all of a visual inspection followed by a palpation of the breasts, the areas around her collarbone and her armpits. Throughout this assessment, the doctor palpates for lumps and thickening in the tissue in all of these areas.

Mammograms are basically x-rays of the breast which help to define what a lump is. Usually the doctor can tell from examining the patients mammogram results whether a lump which has been discovered in the breast is breast cancer or a benign cyst. However as no test is 100% reliable doctors usually like to do back up tests as mammograms alone are thought to miss up to 10-15% of breast cancers.

Mammograms can often provide a false-positive result suggesting a malignancy where no malignancy is later found on a biopsy. There is the possibility of false negative mammogram results where the findings appear negative when in fact a cancer is present.

A mammogram may not be adequate to assess a lump and your doctor may arrange supplementary tests. All lumps found in the breast should be defined as benign or malignant. There should be no room for error.

Your doctor may decide to perform an ultrasound in addition to your mammogram. An ultrasound consists of waves that create a picture of the breast. These then show whether the mass/lump is filled with fluid which would indicate a cyst, or whether they are solid.

Cancerous lumps are usually solid lumps, Ultrasound technology can be used as a biopsy or for the removal of fluid.

The only authoritative way to make a diagnosis of breast cancer with absolute certainty is to biopsy the tissue which is causing concern. A biopsy is done by removing a small sample of tissue via a very fine needle from the suspect area. There are a number of biopsy techniques which can be used.

One biopsy procedure is called a Fine needle aspiration. This involves placing a needle into the breast tissue and extracting a certain amount of cells which can then be examined by a pathologist. This technique is usually used when a mass is identified as a cyst and is not likely to be cancer.

Core needle biopsy is another type of biopsy using fine needles. It consists of a unique needle which extracts a small piece of tissue which can be examined for suspect cells. This test is usually used in conjunction with ultrasound or mammogram.

If the mass can be easily felt by the doctor he may remove the cells using a needle without any extra control. This method is less invasive and patients find it more comfortable so it is being used more frequently by surgeons. It also provides a sample of tissue for testing rather than having to remove the entire lump.

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