A regular breast exam is advised for all women and should be performed by a properly trained health professional, at least once a year. In between professional exams, women are encouraged to perform breast self exams in order to maintain good health and provide an early warning against any discovery which may be unusual and possibly concerning inside their breasts.
This report tells of the importance of scheduled examinations of the breast and how these medical check-ups are instrumental in saving many women from the ravages of breast cancer.
Breast Exam Definition
Examinations of the breast are a routine part of most gynecological visits and consultations with a general practitioner, as well.
Breast health can be easily maintained with a proper diet, a positive lifestyle and regular medical exams and self exams.
Most exams will be similar, in that they seek to check the breasts for unusual lumps, bumps or skin issues, as well as undue sensitivity, nipple discharge or other concerning condition. The doctor will use visual inspection and various forms of palpation to examine the breasts and determine if there is any need for additional screening using ultrasound or mammography testing to identify suspected issues found during the exam.
Examining Your Breasts
Preventative care is the best defense against breast cancer. Women who go for yearly professional exams, and perform self exams multiple times each year, have a far better chance of discovering potentially cancerous conditions early enough to allow the least invasive treatments possible, with the most successful results.
This should be incentive enough for all women to perform self exams, but in some cases, women shy away from seeking breast care. Some women do not like the idea of being palpated by a doctor or simply do not like doctors to begin with. This attitude can translate into a host of health issues, as avoiding proper medical care is bound to be problematic in virtually every situation.
In other cases, the woman may discover a lump or other irregularity in her own breast and become too frightened to seek professional help. Fear can be powerful, but must be overcome. Remember, the longer a woman waits to get help, the greater the chances of the condition worsening, if indeed it does turn out to be cancerous or problematic in any way.
Importance of Breast Exams
We can’t tell you how it breaks our hearts to hear stories from women who discover lumps and wait years to get help. They often do not go to a doctor until it is far too late to treat the condition conservatively, or at all, in many instances.
Women must be educated to seek help for any unusual breast abnormalities and do so ASAP without trepidation standing in the way of saving their lives.
Talk to your doctor about breast wellness when you are young and be sure to follow their instructions throughout life, to be sure that you stay healthy and safe. If you ever find anything unusual during a self exam, be sure to bring it to your doctor’s attention immediately, since every day counts when it comes to treating breast cancer. This is a rule to literally live by.