What is Breast Cancer and Self Examination ?

Breast cancer may be a disease during which cells within the breast grow out of control. There are different kinds of breast cancer. The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells within the breast become cancer.

Breast cancer can begin in several parts of the breast. A breast is made from three main parts: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. The lobules are the glands that produce milk. The ducts are tubes that carry milk to the nipple. The connective tissue (which consists of fibrous and fatty tissue) surrounds and holds everything together. Most breast cancers begin within the ducts or lobules.

Breast cancer can spread outside the breast through blood vessels and lymph vessels. When carcinoma spreads to other parts of the body, it's said to have metastasized.

Kind of Breast Cancer:

The most common kinds of breast cancer are—

1. Invasive ductal carcinoma

 The cancer cells grow outside the ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. Invasive cancer cells can also spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body.

2. Invasive lobular carcinoma

Cancer cells spread from the lobules to the breast tissues that are close by. These invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.

Breast Cancer Self Examination:

Breast self-exam, or regularly examining your breasts on your own, is often an important thanks to finding breast cancer early when it’s more likely to be treated successfully. While no single test can detect all breast cancers early, 3Meds.com believes that performing breast self-exam together with other screening methods can increase the chances of early detection.

3Meds.com committed that breast self-examination may be a useful and important screening tool, especially when utilized in combination with regular physical exams by a doctor, mammography, and in some cases ultrasound and/or MRI. Each of those screening tools works in a different way and has strengths and weaknesses. Breast self-exam may be a convenient, no-cost tool that you simply can use on a daily basis and at any age. We really recommend that all women routinely perform breast self-exams as part of their overall breast cancer screening strategy.

The best time to do a monthly self-breast exam is about 3 to 5 days after your period starts. Do it at the same time every month. Your breasts are not as tender or lumpy at this time in your monthly cycle.

If you have gone through menopause, do your exam on the same day every month.

Begin by lying on your back. It is easier to examine all breast tissue if you are lying down.

1. Place your right hand behind your head. With the middle fingers of your left hand, gently yet firmly press down using small motions to examine the entire right breast.
2. Next, sit or stand. Feel your armpit, because breast tissue goes into that area.
3. Gently squeeze the nipple, checking for discharge. Repeat the process on the left breast.
4. Use one of the patterns shown in the diagram to make sure that you are covering all of the breast tissue.
5. Next, stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your side.

1. Look at your breasts directly and in the mirror. Look for changes in skin texture, such as dimpling, puckering, indentations, or skin that looks like an orange peel.
2. Also, note the shape and outline of each breast.
3. Check to see if the nipple turns inward.

Do the same with your arms raised above your head.

Your goal is to get used to the feel of your breasts. This will help you to find anything new or different. If you do, call your provider right away.