Breast Problems Breast Self- Examination

Breast Problems Breast Self- Examination
Dear Doctor,
I have a problem with my right breast. I started feeling pain in it about three weeks ago so I went to a general hospital close to my school. A doctor tested me and told me I had a lump in my right breast but  that I shouldn't panic that it could be removed anytime. He placed me on some drugs--ampliclox; folic acid and I've forgotten the rest. I just want your advice on what I should do because I'm still in school. I would be very grateful sir if you could reply through my mail
Ladi Kambagu, Gwoza, Borno
Dear Ladi,

Apart from malignancies or cancer, the breasts may be afflicted with bacterial infection called mastitis. Antibiotics, like the doctor gave you will treat that condition. Apart from mastitis common among breast feeding women, other non-cancer, non life-threatening or benign breast conditions are many and  they can cause symptoms, and some are linked with a higher risk of later developing breast cancer. The more notable among them include: Adenosis, Simple Breast cysts and fibrosis, Ductal and lobular hyperplasia, Fibroadenomas and Fat necrosis and oil cysts. It is the doctor's job, when you go to see her to check you out and do the necessary to determine what really your affliction is and how to treat it. Your own duty is to check your breasts regularly; not wait for when you feel pain or have trouble, but actively  and REGULARLY examine and re-examine them BY YOURSELF. This is called Breast Self -Examination and for how exactly to do this, I have resorted to  www.Breastcancer.org - Breast Cancer Information and Awareness for much of what follows in bold italics -- 

The Five Steps of a Breast Self-ExamStep 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror (as you face the mirror) with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Here's what you should look for: i)Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color. ii) Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling. If you see  or feel any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention: Dimpling, itching, puckering, or bulging of the skin/A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)/Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling. Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes. Again, stand sideways to the mirror and look for any changes as you look at your breasts sideways. Step 3: While you're at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).

Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage. Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as  if  you were mowing a lawn. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage. Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step. 

It is  important to note that women's breasts can feel lumpy, swollen, painful and discomforting a few days before your menses begins  to flow .Such feelings may usually go away after the period has ended. Again, if you are an adolescent, you a retaking oral contraceptives , or are on other hormonal therapy or you are pregnant, your breasts may feel generally funny, lumpy or painful. However, when lumps or pain persist throughout  your menstrual cycle and not just during your periods, pain in your arm-pits , then you should be more sensitive about seeing a doctor. To help  decide if you are normal or not, try to keep a  diary or journal for 2 or 3 months noticing and recording how your breasts feel so that you can spot changes either related to the menstrual cycle or not. Also, just before your periods, you can wear a larger brassiere or a support, soft or sports bra so that  you feel more comfortable. Finally, just after your periods, once a month, is the best time to examine your breasts and if you have stopped having periods, take a day you can easily remember--maybe first of the month.

Cheers
Dr Caleb Bibbi Oluranti