Advances in research on it have allowed the survival rate to be around 90%. But prevention remains essential. So knowing how to explore yourself can be very useful. to detect problems and act quickly.
Depending on what type of cells the tumor originates from, there are different types of breast cancer:
- Lobular carcinoma: Originates in the lobules of the breast, the glands responsible for producing milk.
- ductal carcinoma: It is the most diagnosed type of cancer and occurs in the mammary ducts.
- inflammatory breast cancer: It is rare and symptoms can be swelling of the breast, reddish or purple skin, and dimpling.
- Paget’s disease of the breast: Affects the skin of the nipple and areola.
What should we look for?
The most frequent symptoms in the diagnosis of breast cancer, according to GEICAM, are:
-
A lump or nodule of recent appearance, which is palpable and may or may not be painful.
- skin changes of the breast such as the appearance of ulcerations, dimples, color changes, roughness or redness (orange peel).
- Changes in shape or size of one of the breasts, or that the edge or silhouette of the breast is irregular.
- Nipple changes such as inversion or retraction, that is, the nipple is directed towards the inside of the breast, appearing as sunken. Also the appearance of an ulcer that takes time to heal or discharge from the nipple that contains blood or only occurs in one of the breasts.
-
A lump or nodule that is palpable in the armpit area
-
Fixation of the breast tissue in the thorax that can be appreciated by a decrease in the mobility of the breast when raising the arm on the same side.
When do you have to look?
Once we know what to look for, the next question would be when to perform self-exam, since hormonal changes cause changes in breast tissue that can lead us to error. So choosing the ideal time to observe the chest is important.
The provides some clues about the best time to observe our breasts.
-
Self-examination should be performed monthly from the age of 20.
-
Before the arrival of the menopause, it is best to do it in the week after menstruation.
-
Once a woman has entered menopause, it is best to establish a fixed day every month.
-
It is also convenient to self-examine during pregnancy.
-
During breastfeeding, the best time will be after feedings.
How to explore yourself visually?
The first thing is to make a visual exploration of the breasts And it will be necessary to adopt several positions that in search of anomalies.
-
Face a mirror, sitting or standing, with your arms at your sides.
-
Look closely for wrinkles, dimples, or alterations in size, shape, or symmetry.
-
Check if the nipples are sunken.
-
Look at your breasts again as you press your hands on your hips.
-
Now carefully inspect your breasts again but with your arms raised above your head and your palms pressing against each other.
-
Lift the breasts and see if the creases at the base are symmetrical.
How to palpate the breasts?
The next very important step is to perform a tactile inspection.
To do this we will use our hands, and we will do it in two different situations:
-
lying down Lie on your back on a bed or any other flat surface. As you do this, you will see the breast tissue spread out and become thinner, making it easier to feel.
-
In the shower. Lather fingers and breasts so fingers glide more smoothly over skin.
Both in one position and in another, these are some general tips to know how to do it.
Always use the pads of the three middle fingers, not the tips of the fingers If you have difficulty palpating with your fingertips, use another part of your hand that is more sensitive, such as the palm or the back of your fingers.
Vary the pressure with which you palpate. The goal is to feel different depths of the breasts by using different levels of pressure to feel all of the breast tissue.
-
Light pressure to palpate the tissue closest to the skin
-
Medium pressure to palpate a little deeper
-
Firm pressure to palpate the tissue closest to the chest and ribs.
Be sure to use all pressure levels before moving to another area. If you’re not sure how much pressure to apply, talk to your doctor or nurse.
-
Don’t be in a hurry: Examining the breasts calmly, attentively and carefully is essential, and you have to spend as much time as necessary.
-
Make sure you have examined the entire breast: To do this, it is best to follow a pattern using a methodical technique. For example, start near the breastbone and examine that section by moving your fingers toward the nipple. Then move your fingers to the next area as if you did every hour on a clock.
As practical advice, it is more comfortable to do the exploration with the hand opposite the chest that we explore both superficially and more deeply, while we try to locate lumps or nodules.
Finally, it is convenient to gently squeeze the nipples to see if any type of secretion is produced.
In the event of any warning sign, it is essential to make an appointment with the gynecologist who will carry out the necessary diagnostic tests.
When should we worry?
The first thing we should know is that many women detect lumps or changes in their breasts. And in most cases they are…