Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer
Cancer, is not just a word, it’s a hard hitting trauma. It is one of the most feared diseases in the world and the reason being, the chances of it being fatal. Cancer is the reckless growth of body cells in one particular area, which can lead to benign or malignant (spreadable and non-spreadable) tumors in the body. While Cancer can affect any particular organ, the most common ones are tumors in the prostate, lung, blood, bone and breasts.
Breast cancer is one of the most common yet the most ignored health issues in our society. This ignorance and taboo of not talking about female reproductive organs makes the situation worse as many women are highly unaware about their own bodies. Breast cancer, is the formation of overgrowth of mammary cells in the breasts, the symptoms being development of lumps & change in shape of the breasts, discharge of dark, sticky fluid from nipples or red scaly patches on the skin.
Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Best protection, Early detection:
• Mammogram: A mammogram refers to a basic x ray of the breasts. There are two kinds of mammograms:
1. Screening Mammograms: used to check breasts with no symptoms
2. Diagnostic Mammograms: used to check breasts with symptoms of the disease
• Self-Examination: The good news is most breast cancers can be easily detected by self-examination and if detected at the right time, can save the patient’s life.
Step 1: Look at your breasts in the mirror while keeping your posture straight and search for:
• Breasts with usual size, shape, and color.
• Breasts with visible distortion or swelling.
• Bulging or dimpling of the skin
• A nipple pushed inward instead of sticking out
• Swelling, redness, soreness or rashes
Step 2: Raise your arms and look for the same changes.
Step 3: Look for any signs of watery, milky or yellow fluid coming out of one or both nipples.
Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down. Use your right hand to feel your left breast and then vice versa.
Step 5: Feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting.
Search for lumps, unevenness and knots. A lump might or might not be cancerous but one should always consult a physician.
Self-examination is perhaps the basic way to detect breast cancer. Therefore, any abnormalities must be reported to the doctor immediately.
