Breast Cancer Early Detection - Act Before It Is Too Late

Early detection of breast cancer is very important that women should never take for granted the breast examination. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer early detection can greatly increase the chances of survival of patients. If you're one of those women who have a family history of breast cancer, you should have regular self examination and clinical examination while you are still in their 20s and 30's.

Breast Self-Examination (BSE)

BSE is one of the most common way of monitoring significant changes in breast tissue. To monitor changes in your breasts, standing in front of the mirror and examine their breasts for dimpling or changes in color 3 to 5 days after the last day of your menstrual period. Note any suspicious looking dimples and discoloration are not there the last time you check yourself.

After conducting an ocular inspection of your breasts, you should perform a physical examination. To obtain more accurate results, you have to do the test yourself while lying with your arms placed at the back of your head. This position allows the breast tissue to flatten and spread evenly over the breast bone. To detect lumps, finger pads methodically run three middle fingers of your hand on your breast. Apply different levels of pressure as you move your finger in a slow circular motion from the top of your breast down. Use light pressure to feel a lump near the surface of the skin and medium to firm pressure to feel a lump in the tissue beneath.

If you feel a lump or mass in your breast while doing a test themselves, do not panic. Just because you have a lump that does not mean that you have cancer. Remember that not all lumps are cancerous, so you should not jump to conclusions. To find out whether the lump is cancerous or not, you have to go to the doctor and ask for immediate clinical examination. Remember that early detection of breast cancer can save your life so your doctor for some tests.

Clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammogram

If you are in their 30s and 40s, you should have regular CBEs from health professionals. During the CBE, your doctor will examine your breasts for any signs of abnormalities by feeling the skin and tissue around the area. When you reach your 40s, you will need to undergo regular screening mammograms. If your doctor noticed some abnormalities during the examination, it will prompt you to go through further testing to determine the nature of the abnormality. He may recommend a biopsy of a suspicious lump in your breast.