Diseases of the mammary gland are an important and very sensitive topic. Some of them have a malignant nature and a severe course. They leave a lasting public mark in the country due to the fact that every year the number of newly diagnosed breast cancer increases. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Each year, more than 4,000 new cases of the disease are registered in the country. The relative share of this condition compared to all other oncological diseases is 25%, followed by that of ovarian cancer and carcinoma of the cervix. A major risk factor for the development of malignant breast diseases is heredity. Relatives, mothers, grandmothers, aunts with such a condition increases the possibility of malignancy of mammary gland cells. Usually, this condition is also influenced by hormonal status, which means that previous abortions, taking hormonal contraceptives, early first menstruation (menarche), late menopause, late childbirth and certain hormonal disorders also play a role. The good news is that breast cancer is curable in a huge percentage of cases, which means that being diagnosed with it is by no means a death sentence. On the contrary, the stigmatization of this disease, the fear of it, makes it much more difficult to fight it and detect it. And if there are no specific and effective measures aimed at preventing the development of the disease, the increased health culture of each of us and personal prevention are factors that can give an advantage in the right direction in the general fight against women’s oncological diseases. Regardless of the constant development of medicine, the development of new techniques and diagnostic methods for making a diagnosis, the cornerstone is the commitment of each of us to our own health. Therefore, teaching women how to examine their breasts remains a huge success in early diagnosis. Self-examination should begin after the age of 20. It is done every month when the breasts are not tense and painful. Usually, the best time is during the first week after menstruation. In this way, a malignant process can be indirectly differentiated from a benign one. In fibrocystic breast disease, for example, the seals become softer and painless after menstruation, while this is not characteristic of a neoplastic tumor formation. NEWS_MORE_BOX These are the steps to follow for a breast self-examination: Stand naked to the waist in front of the mirror, first with your arms relaxed, then with your hands pressing on your hips to tighten the pectoral muscles; Monitor for the following changes: change in the appearance of the gland; change in the position of the nipples; wrinkling of the skin; Look at the chest again with the arms raised high; Lying on a hard surface,put a folded towel or pillow under the right shoulder and put the right hand under the head; Begin to palpate the gland in quadrants (upper inner, upper outer, lower inner, lower outer), with the movement of the fingers from the periphery to the nipple. Check for seals or lumps; Lower the right arm to the body and feel the right armpit; Lightly and gently squeeze the right nipple with your thumb and forefinger and watch for any unusual discharge or bleeding; The procedure is repeated on the left – pillow, left breast, left armpit, left nipple. This article aims to improve your health culture. If you have questions or find a finding during self-examination, I always recommend consulting a professional specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.
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