Rebound...

Women helping people through Breast Cancer

We are a group of people who have experienced or have been affected by breast cancer. Please join us to discuss your feelings and to help understand the illness.

Meetings are held at St. Margaret’s Hospital, Spring Valley, in the first floor presentation room on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. for emotional support and to have questions answered.

For more information call:

Gayle at 815-339-6480

Geri at 815-894-2859

Monday, July 21, 7:00 p.m.

St. Margaret’s Hospital, First Floor Presentation Room

PROGRAM:

Hope to see you there!

Breast Self-Examination: A Key to Early Detection of Breast Cancer...  One out of every eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer sometime during her life. However, most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer survive the disease. If detected early, breast cancer has a five-year survival rate of over 95%. Breast self-examination is one critical technique to assist in early detection.

How Do You Perform a Breast Self-Examination?  A thorough exam involves two important steps: looking, or inspection, and feeling, or palpation. Both steps should be performed on the entire chest area—not just the breasts. Perform both steps for every exam.

Step 1: Inspection is best done before a mirror.

Start with your hands at your sides (Figure 1), and examine your breasts. Next, press your hands firmly into your hips (Figure 2) and examine again. Finally, examine the area with your arms raised above your head (Figure 3).

Look for any changes in the shape or size of your breasts, or changes in the skin texture or color.

Step 2: Palpation should be done while lying down, and again when upright in the shower or tub.

Lying Down  Place a pillow or towel under your right shoulder, and your right arm under your head (Figure 4).

Using the pads of your fingers (not the tips), press gently, moving in an up-and-down pattern over the breast. Start near the outside of your underarm and inspect the upper chest, collarbone, and breast. Also be sure to examine the nipple area on each breast (Figure 6).

Repeat on the left side.

Look for any lumps or thickenings in the chest area or breast, and significant discharge from the nipple.

In the Shower or Bathtub...  Place one hand behind your head (Figure 5). With the pads of three fingers, use small, circular motions to examine the entire breast area (Figure 6). Repeat on the other side.

Look for any lumps or thickenings in the chest area or breast.

Remember...  Try to perform your breast self-exam at the same time every month. For menstruating women, the ideal time is after the menstrual period has ended. Remember, women's breasts often can develop some degree of lumpiness, and not all lumps are cancerous. If you discover a lump, don't panic....call your doctor for a professional exam.

Source: www.nationalbreastcancer.org