Take Control Of Your Breast Health
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You are the one person most intimately aware
of your own body. You know what your cycles are and what
your breasts look and feel like. You know when you normally
have pain, are aware of the color of your nipples, and you
may be the only one to know if you have fluid leaking from
your nipple. Being aware of your body and listening to the
warning signs will help you be in control of your breast
health.
If you experience any changes that are not a
result of monthly hormonal changes in your body, you need to
contact your doctor. Changes occur naturally when our
bodies’ age, but some changes are not normal and should be
investigated. If you have a change in the size or shape of
the breast, you need to have an exam. If changes can’t be
tracked as part of your cycle, you are at risk of developing
breast cancer.
Notice any abnormal swelling or pain under the
armpit or surrounding lymph nodes. |
If the pain is new, or
occurring at a time when you normally don’t have pain, you
should see your doctor. If the pain happens monthly and in both
breasts, it’s probably due to hormonal changes and nothing to
worry about. Keep track of your body cycles and note how you
feel. If you have an accurate record you will know at once if
something unusual is occurring. Some changes are natural and
appear as we age, gain weight, lose weight, and hormones change
in our body. Medications, pregnancy, changes in our normal
diet, and stress may all cause changes in our breasts. It’s
important to know the rhythms of your body and the aches and
pains associated with our monthly cycle.
If we have a toothache, your whole head may hurt. If
you pull a muscle, it may cause you to limp and your body to be off
balance. Everything is connected within your body. If you have a
problem in your breast, it may cause additional problems in other
parts of your body. You may have that feeling of “something isn’t
right.” Listen to your body to keep it healthy.
Knowing what changes your body will
experience is important in picking up signs and symptoms of
breast cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Any
change in nipple size, shape, or color may indicate a breast
problem. Leakage of fluid from the nipple should be taken
seriously especially if the fluid has blood in it. Milk
ducts that are located just below the surface may start
causing problems. If you feel a lump or thickening in that
area, you should contact your doctor. If your nipple
inverts and doesn’t return to its natural shape, that is an
indication you should see a health care professional.
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Taking care of your breast health is the
single most important thing you can do to keep you healthy.
It is an intimate part of your body, and you will notice any
problems before anyone else will. Be especially aware if
changes are occurring in only one breast.
Breast cancer doesn’t always give us early
signs and warnings. That is why it is so important to do
regular breast self-exams, and get professional screening.
If you have high risk factors, it is even more important to
have regular breast screenings. If you have a tumor in the
breast, as it continues to grow, it will start producing
symptoms. These symptoms do not always mean you have breast
cancer, but they do require an examination by a health care
professional. |
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