February Fourth is World Cancer Day. Unfortunately, in Russia this problem is very relevant, especially among women: statistics say that 47 women die from breast cancer every day … 

The highest percentage of morbidity occurs at the age of 45-60 years. And although this disease in developed countries is considered easily treatable, in the Russian regions there are often not enough highly effective means and conditions for successful cure, and therefore the statistics are so deplorable. Another reason for this is the untimely appeal of women to doctors: many come for help too late. 

In this regard, the ability to independently monitor your health in order to recognize on time the barely outlined deviations from the norm becomes very relevant. Of course, it is difficult to protect ourselves from breast cancer, but to follow the useful recommendations of doctors according to the strengths of each of us and in our own interests. 

First of all , take care of your physical form, avoid excess weight, eat less fatty foods, do physical exercises or any kind of sport.

Secondly , regularly examine your breasts yourself and never panic when you find any condensation in your chest – only in 10% of cases it can be a malignant tumor. 

Let’s talk about self-examination in more detail. It should be carried out once a month, on the same day of the menstrual cycle – for example, on the 5-6th day, when the mammary gland is relaxed. When menopause occurs, the same day of each calendar month is selected .     

Perform a visual inspection first . Undress to the waist, stand in front of the mirror with your hands down along the body, then raise your hands above your head and carefully examine the mammary glands. They should be the same in size and symmetrical in shape and arrangement. 

What should alert : an increase in one of them over a period of not more than 2 months, the appearance of a tubercle or dimple in some area, redness or swelling, skin changes (“goosebumps”, “lemon peel”, the appearance of suspicious spots and rashes, wrinkles and ulceration), changes in the nipple, its deviation to the side, sores or discharge from the nipple.

The next stage of self-examination is palpation of the mammary glands , first in a standing position, then lying on your back. The left breast is examined with the right hand, and the right hand with the left hand .    

Standing, with a palm with tightly closed fingers, draw along the upper part of the chest from the clavicle to the lower edge of the ribs, applying moderate pressure to the muscles. Then carefully examine the armpits for enlarged lymph nodes.

After that, lying on your back, on a firm, flat surface (you can put your unused arm along the body or behind the head), examine the chest from the periphery to the center – the nipple, phasing out all the departments. One of the methods is spiral palpation, when the chest muscles are examined in the form of finger movements in a circle starting from the armpit and gradually tapering to the nipple.  

What should alert : seals that are felt under the fingers in the form of a “ball” or “cakes”, subcutaneous indentations.

What else do you need to pay attention to? Carefully inspect the nipples: are there any changes in color, shape, cracks. Carefully probe the nipple itself and the suction cup, try to squeeze the nipple a little, noting the presence and nature of the discharge from it or the absence thereof. Be sure to inspect the bra – no Does it traces of discharge from the nipple. Sometimes they are so small that they are not visible on the nipple itself, but stains on the linen will reveal their presence. Carefully palpate also axillary and supraclavicular areas to check up for condensation there.     

If you find at least one of the signs of a possible disease listed above , immediately hurry to the doctor. Self-examination in no way replaces specialist advice!   

A comprehensive physical examination includes : a clinical examination and medical history; mammography; Ultrasound If any deviations are found, additional studies are carried out.

Why does breast cancer occur? Science does not yet have an exact answer to this question, but risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing a disease are highlighted :   

 – early onset of menstruation (up to 12 years); – injury to the mammary gland; – frequent stresses and nervous shocks; – late onset of sexual activity; – late birth; – frequent abortions; – overweight; – late onset of menopause; – a history of ovarian or endometrial cancer.

Particularly careful attention should be paid to their health to those women in whom one of their relatives had breast cancer, because they may have a 2–3 times increased predisposition to this disease.

And remember : the myth of the incurability of breast cancer is just a myth. At the first stage of the disease, when metastases have not yet developed, the success of treatment reaches 95%. Now advances in medicine can save or at least extend life with the help of chemotherapy, surgery and other methods used in a comprehensive and timely manner. Regardless of age, do not forget to annually undergo examinations with specialized doctors in the clinic. It’s better to watch your breasts from a young age than to catch up too late …