How to Care for Your Breasts to Prevent, Detect Breast Cancer

Breast cancer (excluding skin cancer) remains the most common cancer occurring in women. However, if detected early, breast cancer is very curable. Regular mammographic screening and monthly self-breast examinations should be a part of every woman’s health regimen.

Screening mammography remains the only technology proven to improve a woman’s chance of surviving breast cancer. Clinical trials have shown a 40 to 50 percent higher likelihood of surviving breast cancer in women who undergo regular mammography.

Know Your Breasts

Women should become familiar with the look and feel of their breasts. Performing a self-breast exam the same time each month will help you to learn what is normal for your body. There is no right or wrong way to check your breasts, as long as you examine the entire area of your breast tissue – from your collarbone, to under your armpits and your nipples – well enough to notice any changes. If you have questions regarding the proper way to perform a breast exam, ask your physician.

Breast awareness is vital for breast health. You should report to your physician if you note any:

• Lump, hard knot or thickening in the breast or underarm area
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
• Change in the size or shape of the breast
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple or areola
• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
• New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away

The risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer increases with age, particularly after menopause. While numerous risk factors exist that we cannot control (aging and being a woman), leading a healthy lifestyle can help lower your chances of getting breast cancer.

By adopting healthy behaviors and being proactive with your breast care, you can help to lower the possibility of a cancer diagnosis.

Follow these helpful tips to stay one step ahead:

• Know Your Risk
• Learn about your family health history, especially cancer
• Talk to a physician about your personal risk of breast cancer
• Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Add exercise into your routine
• Limit alcohol
• Breastfeed if possible
• Limit postmenopausal hormone use

By educating yourself on the controllable factors that increase risk and paying attention to your breasts, you can reduce your chance of diagnosis AND increase the likelihood that if breast cancer is diagnosed it is found early and is curable. That is showing breast cancer who’s boss.

Call 800-MEMORIAL to schedule your mammogram or an appointment with a genetic counselor to determine your risk at a MemorialCare Breast Center in Long Beach, Fountain Valley, San Clemente, Irvine or Laguna Hills.

Gary Levine, M.D., is the medical director, MemorialCare Breast Centers