BREAST CANCER

Perform a self-exam. A self-exam is free and painless, and it only takes a few minutes.
Do a self-exam once a month. Aim for the week after your period.
Check yourself in the shower. Raise your right arm straight up, bending your elbow so that your
right hand is behind your head. Start in the outer quadrant of the breast and glide the pads of
fingers over the skin in small, circular motions. Note any lumpy, hardened or tender spots. The
typical description of a lump caused by cancer is of an irregular, hard, painless mass that does
not move. Repeat the process on your left breast.
Dont skip your armpits! Breast tissue actually extends up into the armpit, so be sure to include it
in your self-exam. Feel from your armpit up to your collar bone. If you find a lump this may
indicate an enlarged lymph node, and can be due to cancer or infection.
Check around the nipple. Finish the self-exam with a gentle squeezing in the central breast,
around the nipple. Note any thickness or irregularities.
Know what youre trying to find. Breast tissue is naturally lumpy. Palpating a new lump is like
feeling a marble in a bag of rice. If you notice something new or concerning, call a doctor to
schedule a mammogram or ultrasound.
Look for visible changes in the breast. Stand in front of the mirror, and lift and lower your
arms. Look for any unusual retractions or bulging in the breast tissue. Also note any changes in
the appearance or feel of the breasts, including:

Dimpled and puckered skin, like the skin of an orange (known as peau dorange)
New redness, or a scaly rash
Unusual breast swelling or tenderness
Nipple changes, such as retraction, itchiness, or redness
Nipple discharge, which can be bloody, clear or yellow
Know the most common risk factors associated with breast cancer. Some people have a
higher chance of developing breast cancer than others. Be aware, though, that just because you
fall into these categories, youre not doomed to have breast cancer you should just be extra
careful about self-exams and yearly medical check-ups. Factors that indicate higher risk include:

Gender: Women get breast cancer more often than men.

Age: Most people who have breast cancer are over 45 years old.
Personal medical history: If you have a previous diagnosis of breast cancer, there is a risk that
the cancer can re-occur in the same breast, or in the opposite breast.
Family history: You are more likely to develop breast cancer if one or more members of your
family have had breast, ovarian, uterine or colon cancer. Your risk is doubled if you have a firstdegree relative (sister, mother, daughter) with the disease.
Genes: Genetic defects found on BRCA1 and BRCA 2 can dramatically increase your risk of
developing breast cancer. You can find out if you have these genes by contacting a genome
mapping service.
Menstrual periods: If you started menstruating before you were 12 years old, or entered
menopause when you were older than 55, your risk is slightly increased.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: An early pregnancy or multiple pregnancies can both reduce your
risk, as does breastfeeding. Having no children or getting pregnant after the age of 30 increases
your risk of developing breast cancer.
Lifestyle factors: Obesity, smoking and alcohol use are all risk factors for the disease.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): Current or previous use can increase the risk for breast
cancer.
Recognize signs of advanced breast cancer. Remember, having these signs doesnt
necessarily mean you have breast cancer. Theyre all good reasons to see a doctor, though, for
further investigation. Symptoms include:

Weight loss
Bone pain
Shortness of breath
Ulceration of the breast

According to the American Cancer Society, any of the following unusual changes in the
breast can be a symptom of breast cancer:

swelling of all or part of the breast

skin irritation or dimpling

breast pain

nipple pain or the nipple turning inward

redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin

a nipple discharge other than breast milk

a lump in the underarm area