Article Summary:
Breast cancer signs and symptoms for early detection of breast cancer.
Breast Self Exams are the number one method for detecting changes in breast health. Finding any symptoms does not mean you have cancer. It does mean it's time to have a thorough medical exam by a trained practitioner, commonly referred to as a CBE - Clinical Breast Exam. Early detection means your survival, and survival rate, is very high. Very high! It also means you have a broad range of treatment option choices. So learn the signs.
No one knows your body as well as you do. That's why it's essential to examine your breasts at the same time every month, so you can detect any changes that might occur. When you do the self-exam, you are reassuring yourself that your body is still in great condition.
There are numerous websites that now offer instruction in self-exams. One I prefer is the Komen Foundation, which offers an interactive video you can watch on your computer, while doing your exam.
Many women find it helpful to have a buddy to call each month to remind or be reminded to conduct the self-exam. It's never too late to begin a good habit, so get your buddy now.
The signs to pay attention to include the following:
- A lump, hard knot or thickening
- Swelling, warmth
- Redness or darkening
- Change in size or shape
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Rash
- Itching or scaling, especially on the nipple
- Pulling in of your nipple or other breast areas
- Sudden discharge from the nipple
- New pain in one spot
Some clients have reported one or more symptoms to their medical practitioners, and been told it's "Nothing" That may be true. Often the lumps and rashes are not a sign of cancer. But they could be. Rely on your inner wisdom. It if feels "not right", then keep getting other opinions until you're satisfied with the results. Thermography, Thermal imaging, a new form of breast cancer detection, is highly recommended as a non-invasive method which is available at some breast care centers in the US.
Dr. Talia Miller, M.Ed., D.S.S., Holistic Breast Cancer Coach, is a speaker, published author, trainer, and a long-term breast cancer survivor. Her phenomenal program, From Survivor to Thriver The Breakthrough Program for Beating Breast Cancer helps women use their body-mind-spirit connection to heal from breast cancer and prevent breast cancer recurrence. She works by phone, with survivors throughout the world. She coaches survivors to become thrivers! Visit her website www.breastcancer coach.com.
Read all advice by Talia Miller, M.Ed., D.S.S.; Find more Women's Health experts
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