Breast Cancer Awareness Month (self exams)

When I started my blog in 2009, I wanted to share about things that were important to me. Breast Cancer Awareness is one of my personal causes that I champion on the front line for prevention and awareness. Self Exams are important and should be Incorporated in your routine monthly. I always do mine the 1st Sunday of the month.  It's important to set a day and time that you will remember. Breast self-exam (BSE), or regularly examining your breasts on your own, can be an important way to find  breast cancer early, when it's more likely to be treated successfully. Not every cancer can be found this way, but it is a critical step you can and should take for yourself.

Try to get in the habit of doing a breast self-examination once a month to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel. Examine yourself several days after your period ends, when your breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender. If you are no longer having periods, choose a day that's easy to remember, such as the first or last day of the month.

Don’t panic if you think you feel a lump. Most women have some lumps or lumpy areas in their breasts all the time. In the United States, only 20% of women who have a suspicious lump biopsied turn out to have breast cancer. Below is a video on how to do one properly.

Breasts tend to have different “neighborhoods.” The upper, outer area — near your armpit — tends to have the most prominent lumps and bumps. The lower half of your breast can feel like a sandy or pebbly beach. The area under the nipple can feel like a collection of large grains. Another part might feel like a lumpy bowl of oatmeal.

What’s important is that you get to know the look and feel of YOUR breasts various neighborhoods. Does something stand out as different from the rest (like a rock on a sandy beach)? Has anything changed? Bring to the attention of your doctor any changes in your breasts that last over a full month's cycle or seem to get worse or more obvious over time.

After my  self exam in October, I look forward to the breast cancer research products because their pink statements,  and I know some of the money is going to a good cause and helping many people.   My favorite this year is the Shower for the Cure by Philosophy. You can find it all month long at Ulta or at www.ulta.com.