Tomorrow marks the end of Breast Cancer Awareness month. This doesn't mean that the reality of breast cancer fades for kiwi women. Did you know 7 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day in New Zealand?
One of the few things that you can do to help manage your risk of breast cancer is regular self- checks. There's nothing sexy about this, but it's a small thing that you can and should do regularly, to ensure that you notice when there is a change in your breasts so that you can get it checked out.
As a woman who has had a mammogram, I'd say that it's not overly pleasant but it's totally do-able. If you're over 45 it's really important to sign up for the breast screening programme, it's free and all you need to do is register.
It's so important to check yourself on a regular basis, as early detection could save your life.
Ladies, I think you all owe it to yourselves, to quote a famous saying '…because you're worth it'.
Important things to remember for your breast exam:
- Are there any new lumps or 'thickening'
- Any change in breast shape or size
- Pain in the breast that is unusual
- Puckering or dimpling of the skin
- Any change in the nipple (such as a turned in or 'inverted' nipple or any discharge)
- A rash or reddening of the skin that appears on the breast
Or check out the Breast Cancer foundation guide.
