Imagine this: You’re doing a regular breast self-examination and you’re feeling a little suspicious. Panic sets in and questions cross your mind. Anyway, what does a breast lump actually feel like?
If this scenario relates to you, it’s a good sign that it’s time to brush up on your breast cancer prevention facts. J.essica Horwitz, MPH FNP-CTia Health’s Chief Clinical Officer, a modern provider of gynecology and primary care services, is here to answer all your breast lump questions.
Knowing the facts and what to look for can help you avoid unnecessary panic and feel more confident about your long-term breast health.
breast cancer basics
October may be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but breast cancer is something to be aware of all year long. Breast cancer is her second most common type of cancer among women in the United States, affecting approximately 2.3 million women worldwide each year. As with many cancers, prevention is everything. When it comes to breast cancer, prevention means getting regular checkups and keeping up with all recommended screenings, such as mammograms, but it also means regular breast self-examinations.
Interestingly, in recent years, some medical institutions have discouraged us from doing self-tests, citing studies showing that it can cause unnecessary worry and anxiety and unnecessary consultations and procedures. are as important as they believe. “Guidelines for breast self-examination are constantly changing.” So should these tests be done or not? and knowing how it usually feels. “The only way to know if something is new and different is to touch it,” she adds.
Ideally, she recommends doing this once a month, ideally at the same time of your cycle.
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What does a breast lump feel like?
When it comes to technique, Horowitz recommends doing this in whatever way you feel most comfortable touching your body. Say, it is recommended to touch one breast at a time. She hurts — with her free arm up, but she adds, “There’s no wrong way.” Horwitz also recommends heading to her gynecologist once a year for a professional evaluation.
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“The first thing to remember is that only 6% of the lumps we find are actually cancerous,” says Horwitz. There is none. That said, she recommends looking out for anything that is hard, irregularly shaped, or anything that you can feel in one breast but not the other. The thing is, pay attention to how it feels different than the surrounding tissue,” she continues.
If you feel any abnormality, get tested as soon as possible. “The sooner breast cancer is detected, the better the outcome. His five-year survival rate if detected at stage 1 or 2 is well over 90%,” he said. say. “The biggest thing I tell people is that they don’t feel stupid going in to check something out, even if they think it’s normal or they’re overreacting. No,” she says.
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breast cancer risk factors
When it comes to breast cancer, there are several things you can do to assess your risk. Family history is a big one. It’s important to know if your mom, grandma, or aunt has breast cancer under the age of 65.
Whatever your risk, there are many lifestyle changes that can help reduce your risk of developing the disease. says Horwitz. Plus, a sedentary lifestyle is a known risk factor for breast cancer, so regular physical activity is recommended. “The simplest advice I can give is to exercise regularly and eat lots of leafy greens,” she says.
And finally, there have been tremendous advances in breast cancer treatment in the last few years. “There are so many treatments available today and so many options for patients,” he said. “There are interesting developments related to genetic testing based on her DNA for types of breast cancer that can create more thoughtful and targeted responses to treatment,” she continues.
Next: ‘Mean Girls’ star Jonathan Bennett documents getting a mammogram during Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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