By Iris Farrou
07 Sep, 2022
Breast health, Breastfeeding support, Health Conditions and Pregnancy, Lifestyle Tips, Mental Health, New Moms, Prevention, Procedures, Queer Health, Reproductive health, Women's Health, Young adults & teens
BRCA Gene, Breast cancer prevention, Breast cancer screening, Breast Exam, Breast Exam Buffalo NY, Breast Exams at Home, Buffalo NY, Buffalo OB-GYN, Cancer in women, Healthy Lifestyle, Self-Exam, Self-Examination, women's health tips
It is common practice at your regular OBGYN appointment for your doctor to perform a breast
exam, by using their hands and examining the overall the look of your breasts. Though this is no
substitute for a mammogram, which adult women are advised to have done yearly, it is a useful
method to see whether there are any visible or tactile abnormalities on your breasts. In fact, 40%
of breast cancers were diagnosed because women noticed something unusual about their breasts.
Is this something I can do at home?
Absolutely—and it is a good idea to perform a self-breast examination once every month. Consider it a monthly inspection you deserve, and one that at the very least helps you learn your body better. Using your eyes and hands for this examination, you can develop your own breast awareness and be able to immediately identify changes—should there be any, fingers crossed not!
What do I do?
First and foremost, it is important to choose a time of the month when your breast will not be as tender since this can cloud the results of the inspection. Ideally, during a time when you are not menstruating or ovulating. Secondly, remember you can (and probably should) ask your doctor or nurse practitioner for a demonstration on how to do this at home.
The most effective technique is to start with a visual examination of your breasts. Stand shirtless and braless in front of the mirror, with no-shadow casting light if possible, and place your hands at your sides. Look for any changes in size, shape, possible asymmetry, dimpling, or puckering. Check to see if your nipples are inverted. Then, inspect your breasts in a similar manner but after raising your hands above your head, palms pressed together forming an A shape. You can also lift your breasts and inspect whether the ridges on the bottom are symmetrical. Should you not trust your own vision, or if you have a visual impairment, it’s a good idea to ask a partner, trusted family member or friend, to help you with this.
Is this all?
The visual inspection is the first step. Next, you want to use the pads of your three middle
fingers. If you can’t sense very well with the pads of your fingers you can use your palm or the
backs of your fingers. You can do the tactile inspection in the shower or lying down (that way,
the breast tissue spreads and it’s easier to feel).
Now, take your time, don’t rush, and establish a routine for this part. If you do it clockwise every
time, for example, and in the same order, then after a few times you will be better able to judge
any changes in the pattern of your breasts. The goal here is to feel the depths of the breast using
different levels of pressure—so you can go over the whole tissue. Closest to the skin, use light
pressure. As you go try to feel a little deeper, use medium pressure. Closest to the chest and ribs,
use firmer pressure.
Remember that you are not looking for anything in particular, you are just learning the patterns
of your breasts. So, take deep breaths, take your time, remind yourself this is being done
absolutely for preventative reasons—just like flossing!
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Lung Cancer is The Number One Cancer Killer of Women
Every year, cancer claims the lives of over a quarter of a million women. Of all types of cancer, lung cancer is the number one killer of women, having surpassed breast cancer in 1987. Women of all ages should familiarize themselves with the causes and risk factors of lung cancer. With proper education, routine screenings, and a healthy lifestyle, women can reduce their risk of falling victim this deadly disease.
According to The American Lung Association, the rate of new lung cancer cases over the past 37 years has dropped 28 percent for men, but has risen 98 percent for women. Smoking contributes to 80 percent of lung cancer deaths in women. Cigarette smoke specifically causes the greatest lung cancer risk, and though the risk is not as high, pipe and cigar smoke exposure can also increase the risk of lung cancer. Women who smoke are 13 times more likely to develop lung cancer compared to women who have never smoked, with the risk of lung cancer increasing with every cigarette smoked over time.
There is a misconception that all lung-cancer cases are the result of smoking, but in reality one in five women diagnosed with lung cancer has never smoked. However, one of the greatest risk factors of lung cancer for non-smokers is exposure to second-hand smoke. Non-smokers have a 20-30 percent greater chance of developing lung cancer if they are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work. Still, there are other non-tobacco related factors that can increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
Studies point to genetics, the presence of certain lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), environmental factors such as air pollution, and exposure to hazardous materials such as radon, uranium, arsenic, nickel and chemicals like asbestos, as non-tobacco risk factors for developing lung cancer. Regardless of whether they smoke, women should know the signs of lung cancer and should make an appointment for a screening if they suspect their symptoms may be indicative of a serious condition. Lung cancer symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and bloody mucus.
The most important step that a woman can take to reduce her risk of lung cancer is to stop smoking. Once a woman has stopped smoking, her risk of developing lung cancer decreases annually as normal lung cells grow and replace damaged cells. Approximately 15 years after quitting, a woman’s risk of developing lung cancer will more closely mirror that of a life-long non-smoker. For those who are non-smokers, but are exposed to tobacco smoke from a family member or from a work environment, minimizing exposure to second hand smoke can help mitigate the risk of contracting the disease. If you think that your home or work environment may be exposing you to asbestos or radon gas, have your environment tested right away.
Living smoke-free, and maintaining a safe home and work environment free from hazardous materials, and knowing the signs and symptoms of the disease, are important steps to staying cancer-free. With proper preventive measures and early detection, women can reduce their risk of lung and other types of cancer.
At Western New York OBGYN we are committed to your health and well-being. If you are looking for a top OBGYN practice and live in the Buffalo area, give us a call, we are accepting new patients.
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