The other day I was in the shower and remembered it was time to do a monthly breast exam. You should do them around the same time each month as breast tissue can feel differently at different times in the month due to hormonal fluctuations. I have to admit, I don't remember every month but am trying to do better.
So there I am in the shower all suds up doing the exam. Left arm over head. Right hand moving in a circular motion from outside in. Remembering to check the underarm area. Then I feel it. An area that feels different from the last time I did a self exam, thicker, firmer. Oh God, I have cancer is my first thought. I continue to feel more frantically. And it's huge, I think noticing that this thick firm area covers most of the area at the top part of my boob. And then the less panicky more sane part of my brain speaks, saying, wait a minute that does not at all feel like the teaching models that I felt at the living beyond breast cancer event. That feels like muscle! Right arm over head I check the left side and low in behold, it feels the exact same way. It turns out that regular chest presses and daily push-ups will actually give you muscles. Not just in your arms, but in your chest beneath your boobs.
Now cancer, of course, is no laughing matter, but I had to laugh at myself for not being able to recognize my own muscles and for my tendency toward hypochondria. In my defense, cancer has
I share this story with you not because I want you to have a mental picture of me in the shower with a hand full of boob, lovely as that may be. I share this story because it is important to laugh at ourselves, our idiosyncrasies and our character flaws (yes hypochondria and jumping to the worst possible scenario are character flaws). I also share this story as a reminder for us all to take good care of our girls. Here are a few breast health tips from from the Susan G. Komen site.
1. Know your riskDo you do monthly breast exams? Are you up to date on your recommended screenings? Are there lifestyle changes that you need to make? Just remember push-ups will make your chest muscles grow :-)
Talk to both sides of your family to learn about your family health history
Talk to your health care provider about your personal risk of breast cancer
2. Get screened
Talk with your health care provider about which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk
Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
Have a clinical breast exam at least every three years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40
Sign up for your screening reminder at komen.org/reminder
3. Know what is normal for you and see your health care provider if you notice any of these breast changes (see images):
Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
Change in the size or shape of the breast
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
New pain in one spot that doesn't go away
4. Make healthy lifestyle choices
Maintain a healthy weight
Add exercise into your routine
Limit alcohol intake
Limit menopausal hormone therapy (postmenopausal hormone use)
Breastfeed, if you can
*This post is written for entertainment purposes only. The information provided here in no way represents medical advice.