The World Health Organization notes that in the last five years there have been approximately 50800 women from all over the world who have lost the chance to live because of breast cancer. Although breast cancer can also affect men, in reality the number of female deaths is higher than that of men. The next surprising fact is that 50% of breast cancer cases in the world occur in developing countries. This could be due to a lack of knowledge of the cancer itself as well as a lack of health facilities and early counseling on cancer treatment.
Do not know the age and background, ranging from ordinary people to world celebrities such as Angelina Jolie can not escape the attack of breast cancer. Brad Pitt's ex-wife even had to undergo breast removal surgery to stop the spread of cancer. Some time ago there was sad news from the homeland artist, Irene Sukardi, who breathed her last breath after fighting a similar disease.
Then what are you waiting for for women not the time to consider breast cancer issues trivial and taboo. It is precisely time for us to know the initial characteristics of cancer as early as possible so that we can find out how to treat it. If you are still in doubt and afraid of a doctor, then try these five simple ways to check breast health:
1. Start by looking at your breasts in front of a mirror with straight shoulders and hands on your hips
This is actually very easy to do but rarely noticed by women. Stand in front of a mirror for less than 3 minutes to pay attention to the shape of your breasts and check for any abnormalities such as lumps, red bruises or swelling. This is important because usually tumors or cancers can be detected from these characteristics.
2. Still in front of the mirror, raise your hand straight up
This is also an efficient way to find out the presence of a tumor or cancer. After raising your hands up for about 1-2 minutes, you can look back at your breasts and check for lumps and if you feel pain while lifting your hands in your breasts, see your doctor immediately.
3. Check the bottom of your armpit
Usually for patients who suffer from breast cancer will complain of pain under the armpit. Swelling in the armpits can be one of the characteristics of the appearance of tumors that can attack the breast. Don't be underestimated, be diligent in checking your body parts on this one.
4. Bend in front of a mirror and let your breasts stick down
One of the best ways to observe the condition of your breasts is to bend in front of the mirror and then notice if there is a rash and lump on your breast. Or do you feel pain in certain parts when you bend about 30-35 seconds.
5. Check the health condition of the nipple
Part of the breast that can be easily observed changes is the nipple. For some cases the initial characteristics of patients with breast cancer are the condition of a hardened nipple, there is a rash in the area around the nipple and the shape of the nipple that constricts inward. Usually also bleeds. So it's important for you to begin to be aware of the characteristics of a healthy nipple.
Although not all cases of complaints of breast pain will end with a cancer verdict, but it never hurts to remain vigilant. If there is an oddity that feels quite annoying then see a doctor immediately. Usually the doctor will not immediately drop the verdict but conduct further examinations such as mammogram and ultrasound examination.
Get rid of your fear and indifference far away. Because you need to know that most of the cases of breast cancer patients in the world who cannot be saved are due to the awareness of the existence of breast cancer late and when they are going to treat the cancer condition is severe.