How Well Do You Know Your Breasts?

THE STEP-BY-STEP BREAST SELF-CHECK GUIDE Detecting breast cancer early gives you the best possible chance of survival. The earlier a lump is found, the more options you have for effective treatment. Anyone can get breast cancer. Men and women. Young and old. So, every adult should be examining their breasts – every month. It could save your life. If you’re not already doing it, please download our guide and start today. START NOW DOWNLOAD YOUR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE Young women also face a higher possibility of breast cancer spreading to other parts of the body, as well as returning. Additionally, young women are more likely to have more aggressive breast cancer than older women. All these factors mean that it is especially important for young women to get into the habit of performing monthly self-exams. WHO BENEFITS FROM A BREAST SELF-CHECK? Adult women of all ages should perform monthly breast cancer self-checks. Getting to know your breasts and checking them regularly will help you to notice any abnormalities or changes. Research has shown that although the vast majority of Australian women know how important self-checks are, only around 25% are actually checking their breasts. WHAT’S IN THE BREAST SELF-CHECK GUIDE? Our Breast Self-Exam Guide will show you: > What you are looking for. > Where to check on your body. > The four steps you should be following every month. BE BREAST AWARE If you don’t know what your breasts looked and felt like last month, how will you know if there has been any change this month? Breast awareness is important for men and women of all ages. Make sure that you’re familiar with how they look as well as how they feel. If you notice any changes, you should see your doctor. Most lumps are harmless but always seek expert advice to be sure. Monthly self-exams will help you to be breast aware and give you the best chance of noticing any changes early. Other than self-exams, there are other ways to check your breasts for cancer. For one, mammograms and breast ultrasounds can detect tumors which you may not be able to feel. However, it is important to note that mammograms are not always effective for women under the age of 40 because their breasts may have a higher density. Therefore breast ultrasound would be preferred. BreastScreen Australia invites women aged 50-74 to have a free two-yearly mammogram. Women aged 40-49 and 75 and over are eligible to receive free mammograms, but they do not receive an invitation to attend. If you have any concerns, your doctor can also perform a clinical examination that will involve a physical exam as well as discussing your personal and family history. Source: Sydney Breast