BREAST CANCER – Taking your life in your own hands!
Breast cancer (kanker dadar) is a disease that should make
every woman sit up and listen! It is the most common form
of malignant disease in women. It develops in approximately
15% of women by the time they reach eighty years of age, and
it is the leading cause of death in women aged between 44
– 55 years. Men may also suffer from cancer of the breast;
however the incidence is 100 times less likely than in females.
Risk factors increasing the incidence of breast cancer are:
- Risk increases with age. Breast cancer is rare in
women under 25 years, the incidence being highest in women
in the 45 -55 year age group.
- Women whose mothers or sisters have suffered from
breast cancer are at in increased risk.
- Women of Jewish (Ashkenazi) descent have a two fold
risk; however Japanese and Taiwanese women have a greatly
reduced (one fifth) chance of developing breast cancer.
- Risk is increased in women who have previously suffered
from cancer of the breast, ovaries, or endometrium; however
the risk is decreased in women that have suffered from cancer
of the cervix.
- The risk is increased by factors increasing the number
of menstrual cycles, i.e. menstruating at an early age and
menopause over 50 years of age, never having children and
not breast-feeding.
- Obesity is an increased risk.
- Incidence is increased in the higher socio-economic
group.
If you do not fall into any of the increased risk groups,
it does not mean that you will never develop breast cancer!
Breast Self Examination (BSE)
Prevention and early diagnosis is the best tactic in combating
this fatal disease. Breast self examination (BSE) is the best
way to detect abnormality of the breast in the early stages.
- BSE should be done at the same time each month.
- The best time is a couple of days after the end of
your period, when your breasts are less likely to be tender
or lumpy from hormone effects.
- If you no longer have periods, choose a day you can
remember e.g. the first Monday of each month.
How to perform B.S.E.
Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is one way to check your breasts
yourself to find lumps which may be cancer. To be sure that
you examine all the breast tissue, you must cover more than
just the breast mound.
The Vertical Method is the best way to ensure that you don’t
miss any part of your breast during the examination. Start
your BSE in your armpit and work up and down in vertical strips
across your whole breast. This helps you to cover the
area thoroughly.
- Feeling your breasts - When feeling your breasts,
use the flat part of your fingers including the sensitive
finger pads. Move your fingers in small circles at every spot
that you touch.
- The touch pressure -At each spot you touch, you should
use two pressures. Feel lightly with your fingers together
and flat, make the first circle with a light pressure, firm
enough to make a slight “dent” in your skin.
You are feeling for anything near the surface of your skin.
At the same spot, make a second circle pressing quite firmly,
so you can feel any lump deep in your breast. Press as firmly
as you can without discomfort. Most women can feel their
ribs with this firm pressure.
The Routine.
Getting into position - If your breasts are small, you can
examine them either lying down or standing (in the shower
for example).
Standing BSE - Put your right hand behind your head and examine
your right breast with your left hand. Reverse this position
to examine your left breast.
Lying down for BSE - This position flattens your breasts as
much as possible and is best for women who have larger breasts.
To examine your right breast, lie on your left side with your
knees bent. Roll back so that your shoulders are flat on the
bed - but don’t move your legs. Put your right arm under
your head. If your breasts are very large, place a pillow
under your right shoulder. Your breast is now spread as flat
as possible. Using your left hand, begin the first strip at
your armpit. Make a circle of light pressure and then of firm
pressure at this first spot. Work up and down your breast
in strips until you reach your nipple. When you reach the
nipple, lie flat on your back. This flattens the inner
half of your breast. Complete the nipple strip and continue
the circles moving up and down in strips.
Remember the light and firm pressure at each spot. Examine
the entire breast until you have completed the last strip
between your breasts. Bring your right arm down by your side
and feel your armpit firmly. Once again you’re looking
for any lumps.
Now start again and repeat the procedure for your left breast.
Visual Examination - Stand before a long mirror with your
arms by your side. Look at your breasts carefully, then
raise your arms above your head and turn slowly from side
to side, looking at your breasts as you move. You are looking
for any changes in your breasts. Look for any difference in
their size or shape (it is normal for one breast to be larger
than the other, however if the size is changing this is cause
for concern) or for any skin changes such as dimpling or puckering.
Check your nipples, looking for any discharge or for any “pulling
in” of the nipple. Remember what you have seen,
because next month you will be looking for any changes.
If you feel or see any lumps or changes in your breasts, see
your doctor straight away. Most lumps are not cancer but you
cannot be sure until you have the lump fully checked.
Remember: Only you can do Breast Self-Examination - no one
knows your body better than you do. Always consult your doctor
if you are concerned about any breast changes. He or she can
conduct a thorough manual breast examination, and may recommend
a mammogram (breast x-rays), and / or ultrasonic examination.
The combination of the methods you use will depend on your
age, your medical history and your doctor’s advice.
The Prima Medika Hospital in Denpasar now has a mammography
facility; however this examination should be accompanied by
a thorough medical history and physical examination by your
doctor.
Kim Patra is a qualified Registered Nurse / Midwife, and mother
of three, who has been living and working in Bali for past
15 years. She has assisted many traveller (...
and others) either as a flying medical escort
or just a voice on the end of the phone! Kim is happy
to discuss any health concerns that your may have. Her
e-mail contact is info@chcbali.com
