Fall has arrived, with its cooler temperatures and colorful leaves. How are you doing with your resolution to take better care of yourself in 2014? Are you making strides in achieving a healthier you—mind, body and soul?
At Gurwin, we’ve resolved to help you make some small changes throughout the year that will help you achieve your goal, and we give you tips during the first week of the month to get you there. So far, we suggested you donate blood, add a little exercise, make small changes to your eating habits, reduce your stress, find time to volunteer, care for your skin, stay hydrated, rest and get your flu shot. This month, we focus on a resolution to get—or encourage someone you love to get—a mammogram.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to remember that a key factor in breast cancer survival is early detection. While women with a high risk for breast cancer should have a more aggressive care plan, the American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for women without symptoms:
Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam by a health practitioner as part of their regular exam at least every two-to-three years, and should do monthly breast self-exams. Instructions for breast self-exams can be found at www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-self-exam.
Women age 40 and over should have a screening mammogram and a clinical breast exam by a health practitioner every year, and should also do monthly breast self-exams.
Monthly breast self-exams (BSE) should be done a week or so after a woman is finished with her period. If a woman does not get her period anymore, she should choose the same day each month—like the day of her birthday—so she remembers to do BSE. It is good to do a self-exam while lying down, or standing up in the shower, when hands are soapy and glide with ease over the breasts.
Report any changes in the breasts, such as a lump, swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or the nipple turning inward, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk, to your healthcare provider. Most of the time, these changes are not cancer!
A small percentage of men develop breast cancer, so any of the above changes experienced by a male should also be reported to a health care provider.
Remember: Early detection saves lives!
