Breast Cancer Essay is the second leading cause of death in most inwomen today (NABCO: Facts About Breast Cancer 1). It is a known factthat its cure and origin are unknown. Breast cancer is when anuncontrolled growth of cells without a specific function form in the breastarea of a person, killing normal cells and tissue.
This process in turncauses a lump or mass to form known as cancer. Although breast cancercannot be prevented, there are some steps a person can take to reducethe risks. These steps are knowing your family history, routine self breastexaminations, yearly routine mammograms for women 40 and over, andan annual breast examination by a medical professional. Every woman is at risk for breast cancer and she is at an evenhigher risk if she has a family history of breast cancer. Thats why it isextremely important for every woman to know her family history.
About10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary and that the most common ofthese result from mutations (changes) of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Normally, these genes help to prevent cancer by making proteins thatkeep the cells from growing abnormally. (American Cancer Association:Breast Cancer Resource Center 3). Even if your family doesnt have thehistory, its good information to have for future reference. Second, a woman should perform a monthly breast selfexamination (BSE).
The best time to perform a BSE is about a week afterthe menstrual cycle ends. For women that have irregular menstrualcycles its recommended to perform the BSE on the same day of everymonth. The BSE is a quick and simple process. If you have a regulargynecologist or family physician they can give you information on how toperform the process properly or show you while performing it on you.
Also, the American Cancer Association has directions on their website onhttp://www3. cancer. org/cancerinfo/load_cont. asp?ct=5&doc=14&Language=English. According to the American Cancer Association the process is asLie down with a pillow under your right shoulder and place yourUse the finger pads of the three middle fingers on your left hand tofeel for lumps in the right breast. Press firmly enough to know how your breast feels.
A firm ridge inthe lower curve of each breast is normal. If you’re not sure howhard to press, talk to your doctor or nurse. Move around the breast in a circular, up and down line, or wedgepattern. Be sure to do it the same way every time, check the entirebreast area, and remember how your breast feels from month toRepeat the exam on your left breast, using the finger pads of theright hand. (Move the pillow to under your left shoulder.
)If you find any changes, see your doctor right away. Repeat the examination of both breasts while standing, with your onearm behind your head. The upright position makes it easier to checkthe upper and outer part of the breasts (toward your armpit). This iswhere about half of breast cancers are found. You may want to do thestanding part of the BSE while you are in the shower. Some breastchanges can be felt more easily when your skin is wet and soapy.
(American Cancer Association: Breast Cancer Resource Center 17). Another risk reducing step of breast cancer, is a yearly routinemammogram for women ages 40 and over. A mammogram is an x-rayof the breast. Its used to detect breast disease. The x-ray is usuallyperformed while the person is in a upright position while standing. Separately, each breast is pressed between two metal plates while thex-ray machine takes pictures of the breast.
This exam is extremelyimportant and has been added to all health insurance policies as apayable benefit by the United States Health Department. According toBreast Cancer Resource Center, the chance of developing breastcancer increases with age in women. About 77% of women with breastcancer are over age 50 at the time of diagnosis (3). For ages 40 and over a clinical breast examination should beperformed by a medical professional each year. For ages 20 through 39,this same exam should be performed every three years.
The clinicalexam is the same exam as the BSE. The only difference is the exam isperformed by a person formally trained in the medical field and usuallyperforms this process everyday.During this examination is when themedical professional would teach you how to correctly perform the .
