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> Breast Health |
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Breast Self
Exam Training To Be Offered
Madina Ramage, R.N., a Certified Breast
Health Specialist for the Dr. Phillip Ley at the
Mississippi Breast Center is planning a course to teach
woman to perform breast self exams. She is
enthusiastic about putting her training into practice.
She will teach valuable skills you can pass on to your
mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. Please join me
as we take this journey into our community to help
others learn skills that may save lives. Email
Madina if you are interested in attending a class or
would like to have her teach this class to your school
or workplace or civic group.
The Four Steps to Good Breast Health
Monthly Breast
Self-Exam
Know how your breasts normally look and feel. Examine
your breasts monthly and report any changes to your
doctor.
Regular Checkup
See your doctor yearly for a clinical breast
examination. It can discover abnormalities missed by a
mammogram.
Mammography Exam
The American Cancer Society recommends having yearly
mammograms beginning by age 40. If you are under age 40
and have a family history of breast cancer or other
concerns, discuss when to begin screening with your
doctor.
Risk Evaluation
Your doctor has new tools to help identify women at high
risk for breast cancer. identify your risk factors for
breast cancer and discuss them with your doctor.
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Increasing
age
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Having a
mother, sister or daughter with breast
cancer
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Having a
breast biopsy showing abnormal cells
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Beginning
your first period before age 12
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Having a
first child after age 30 or not ever having
children
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In The Shower |
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Raise your right arm. Use the finger pads of
your left hand to touch every part of your right breast.
Feel gently for any lumps or changes under the skin.
Then raise your left arm and use your right hand to
examine your left breast. |
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Before A Mirror |
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Place your
arms at your sides. Check both breasts for anything
unusual - discharge, puckering, dimpling, or changes in
skin texture. Clasp your hands behind your head and look
carefully for any changes in the shape or contour of
your breasts. Gently squeeze both nipples and look for
discharge. |
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Lying Down |
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Lie flat on
your back, with your left arm over your head and a
pillow under your left shoulder. Put your left hand
behind your head. Use your right hand to begin touching
your left breast gently but firmly. Start in your armpit
and move down to just below your breast. Now move your
fingers and move up again. Continue this up-and-down
pattern until you have covered the area. |
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Standing Up |
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Rest your
arm on a firm surface and use the same up-and-down
motion to examine the area between the breast and the
underarm, and the underarm itself.
Note: This self-exam is not a substitute for periodic
examinations by a qualified physician. |
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