Breast Cancer 101

October marks breast cancer awareness also known as Pinktober, a global initiative to educate, support, and empower individuals affected by breast cancer. This devastating disease claims thousands of lives annually, However with early detection, research, and awareness many lives can be saved.

When does breast cancer occur?

Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the breast tissue forming tumors. There are factors increasing the risk of developing breast cancer such as family history, Genetics (BRCA1 and BRCA2), being age 40 and above, Dense breasts, and previous radiation exposure.

The following are symptoms of breast cancer

1. Lumps or thickening
2. Changes in breast size or shape
3. Dimpling or redness
4. Nipple discharge or inversion
5. pain or tenderness

These symptoms can also be detected by doing a breast self examination at the comfort of your home. The main aim of these tool is for you to know your normal breast and be aware if the are any abnormal changes. It is better if the symptoms are spotted early enough and reported for further assessment by a healthcare provider.

How can you do a breast self-examination

1. Find a comfortable room and stand in a mirror shirtless and braless.
2. Raise your hands above your head to get a better view of your breast. Look for any changes in size, shape, skin irregularities like dimpling, fullness or changes in the nipples such as inversion or spontaneous discharge.
3. Place your hands on your waist and examine from different angle for any further visible changes.
4. Use the flat parts of your fingers to feel your breast. Start from the outside and work your way inward from quadrant to quadrant feeling for lumps that could be localized growth. These may feel smooth, well-defined and mobile-can be pushed around will little push, that’s will indicates a non-cancerous growth. However masses such as cancerous lumps are often hard or firm, irregular/uneven shapes and fixed in place not mobile.
5. For the best result, you can do this either lying down, as this spreads the breast tissue evenly or in the shower with soapy hands which allows your fingers to glide smoothly.
6. Start with little pressure to medium and firm pressure, this helps you feel for lumps closer to the skin within the breast tissue and deep in the chest bone respectively.
7. Do not cause self-pain in the process, if you are then you are doing it wrong, the pressure should just be enough to help you feel for any lumps and not to hurt yourself.

The Ideal time to perform your self-examination is one week after your menstrual period but doing it once a month at the same time within your cycle is highly recommendable. Get those twins examined even if you don’t have periods, choose a consistent day each month.

Together we can create a future where breast cancer is preventable, treatable and survivable.

by Nokukhanya Moloi