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Breast Self-Exam Builds Awareness

Womens Health

There is little doubt that you have heard about the importance of examining your breasts to discover changes that may signal a problem. But honestly, how often do you really perform this five-minute procedure? Better yet, do you even know the proper way to do it?

Since many women don’t know how to perform this procedure or don’t do it on a routine basis, recent thinking about breast self examination has changed. Traditionally, all women, age 20 and over, were urged to practice this technique as a means to identify changes in their breast; changes that might signal the presence of breast cancer.

New thinking is more concerned with a woman’s awareness of her own breast anatomy, so that she is aware of her particular markings, ridges, or bumps and any changes that occur over time. This thinking has come about because many women seem to be overly anxious about whether they are using the correct technique. Because of this, they either don’t do it at all or they do it randomly.

In order to detect a lump in the breast through self examination, it has to be at least an inch (25 mm) in diameter; mammography, on the other hand, can detect a lump the size of a pencil eraser. Mammography has a proven track record for early detection of changes to the breast that may indicate a tumor is present. Although there is strong evidence that breast self examination offers the benefits of self-awareness, it may not be sophisticated enough to detect a lump at its earliest stages.

Does all this mean you should abandon the practice of self-examination or not learn it at all? Certainly not! However, keep in mind that the real purpose of practicing breast self-examination is to discover changes in your breasts over time.

And…keep in mind that performing breast self examination incorrectly may be as bad as not doing it at all! Ask your medical doctor to demonstrate the correct technique for you during your next clinical examination. And…visit this Website for instructions on how to perform breast self examination correctly or to download a breast self examination card.

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Dr. Bill Asks some important questions of interest to Watertown residents - Chiropractor Watertown Dr. Bill Asks...

Do nerves actually get pinched?
Chiropractors recognize two types of nerve disorders involved in subluxation. The least common is a pinched nerve that diminishes nerve supply to an affected organ or tissue. More common is the irritated nerve (facilitative lesion) which overexcites nerve communications to an affected organ or tissue. Chiropractic care has been shown to help with both types.
What's a side effect?
It may sound like a bonus; something extra, but chiropractors know it should more accurately called an "unintended effect," and "unwanted effect" or in some cases an "adverse effect." A pill can't come close to matching your body's ability to create and deliver the essential compounds it needs. That's when it's important to make sure your nervous system is working correctly—the purpose of chiropractic care!