Breast cancer exam as easy as 123
As part of Breast Cancer month CANSA Lukholweni Care Home in Orlando East will make residents aware of how to self examine for breast cancer.

As part of Breast Cancer month CANSA Lukholweni Care Home in Orlando East will make residents aware of how to self examine for breast cancer.
“Self breast examination is as easy as 1 2 3 and should be done at least once a month,” said community mobiliser Mlindi Mjoli.
1. In the mirror
In front of a mirror, check for any changes anything out of the norm such as dimpling, size difference or nipple discharge.
Inspect four ways: Arms at sides, arms overhead, firmly pressing hands on hips and bending forward
2. Lying down
Lie on your back with a pillow under your right shoulder and right hand under your head.
With the four fingers on your left hand make small circular motions, follow an up and down pattern over the entire breast area, under the arms and up to theshoulder bone, pressing firmly.
Repeat using right hand on the left breast.
3. While bathing
With your right arm raised, check your right breast with a soapy left hand and fingers flat using the method described under step 2 (lying down). Repeat on the other side.
Who has increased risk for breast cancer…..?
1. If you are older than 50
However, even though most women who are diagnosed are over 50, women in their twenties or thirties are increasingly diagnosed with breast cancer.
2. You have a close family member with breast cancer
* Your risk of breast cancer is higher if your grandmother, mother, sister or daughter had breast or ovarian cancer.
* The risk is even higher if your family member had it before age 50.
* Ask your medical practitioner about genetic counselling.
3. You have a personal history of cancer and had received treatment for a cancer previously.
* Studies show that the younger a woman is when receiving treatment, the higher her risk for breast cancer later in life.
4. You have never given birth or your first pregnancy was after the age of 35.
* Women who never had children are at an increased risk for breast cancer.
* Pregnancy reduces a woman’s total number of lifetime menstrual cycles, which may be the reason.
5. You’re using, or have recently used birth control pills (oral contraceptives) for many years.
Studies have found that women using oral contraceptives have a greater risk for breast cancer than women who have never used it.
The risk decreases if you stop using it for 10years or more.
6. You have more than one standard alcoholic drink per day.
* The use of alcohol is clearly linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
* The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.