The 3-Minute Home Test A Surgeon Says Could Save Your Life

DoctorOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness month. And on their page about the topic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the first pillar of the WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative is to “empower individuals and communities to recognise symptoms and seek care early”. Still, research has shown that women checking their breasts has dropped from 49% in 2022 to just 45% in 2024. That’s a shame, breast cancer surgeon Dr Cihan Uras from Acıbadem Hospitals said, explaing that: “Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide... when it’s detected early, survival rates are very high.“The best thing you can do for yourself is to be familiar with your own body and notice changes quickly. A self-check takes only three minutes,” the surgeon added. How should I check my breasts at home?Speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Uras said the check, which should be done once a month, involves three steps. These are:1) Look in the mirror To begin your test, the surgeon advised, stand topless in front of a mirror for one minute.“Stand with your shoulders straight, with your hands on your hips, and look in the mirror for any noticeable differences. As you do this more often, these differences will be easier to spot,” he advised. “Initial signs that you should be looking for include dimpling of the skin, any redness, rashes or changes to the nipple, particularly inversion or discharge.”2) Raise your armsThis should take 30 seconds, Dr Uras told us. “As you’re in the mirror, raise your arms above your head. Look for any changes in contour, any swelling that’s arisen, or any pulling of the skin,” the expert advised. The move helps because it stretches the skin over your breasts.“This makes subtle changes more visible, especially puckering or pulling of the skin that may not be very noticeable when your arms are by your side. It can also help reveal differences in movement between the two sides.”3) Feel your breasts while standing and lying downThis should take about a minute and a half (90 seconds) all-in. “While lying down, use the flat of your fingertips around your breasts to feel in circular motions,” the surgeon stated. “Make sure that you cover the whole breast from the top to the bottom, as well as side to side. Don’t forget to go right up to your armpit area too. Apply different pressures; light, medium and firm, to ensure you’re feeling all layers of the breast tissue.“You should be feeling around for any thickened areas, any tenderness that feels unusual to you, not to be confused with pushing down too hard, and of course any lumps.”What should I do if I notice any changes?If you do feel something a little different, don’t “panic straight away, as most are not cancer,” Dr Uras said. But do get it checked as soon as possible, just in case. “The chances are, you would’ve spotted it early, especially if you’re doing this every month, and your doctor can begin any treatment sooner rather than later,” the surgeon ended.“The best time to do these checks is a few days after your period ends, when you’re less likely to experience tender breasts due to your cycle. For women who no longer get periods, picking the same time each month will just help you get into a better routine.” Related...The Key Nimbus And Stratus Symptom That's Different To Covid-196 Symptoms A Lymphoma Doctor Would Never, Ever Ignore7 'Normal' Symptoms A Doctor Says You Should Never, Ever Ignore

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