Emergency Room Series: Breast Cancer

Do you know the breasts 'talk'?

 They have the ability to give you signs when something is wrong and as a lady/woman, you should be able to pay close attention to your body, know those signs and report any abnormality early.


The most common cancerous disease that kills women is breast cancer. Its a very deadly disease. I've nursed quite a number of women with breast cancer(not in the ER). The physical pain they go through isn't something you would want to wish your enemy, not to talk of the psychological pain. In some cases, the woman would have to lose a breast or both and that definitely affects her self-esteem and body confidence.


Anybody can have breast cancer, even men, although its rare in men. Breast cancer, like every other disease doesn't just appear from nowhere, there are signs that you should look at for. The first and most important sign is breast lump. Every lady should check her breasts for lumps at least once a month. Not all lumps will lead to cancer, some lumps are benign growths due to infection or inflammation but might become cancerous if left untreated.
Its very easy to check for breast lumps and its best to do it a week after your period


Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in a standing mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. you should look out for the size( both breasts must be almost equal in size), shape, color of the skin and watch out for anything unusual. Normal breasts must be evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling.If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention: Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin, a nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out), redness, soreness, rash, or swelling.


Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes in step 1


Step 3: While you're at the mirror, gently squeeze your breasts and look for any sign of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood). Unless you're breastfeeding, nothing is expected to come out. You shouldn't see blood if you're breastfeeding too.


Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first three finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion to pad all around the breast to check for any hard, irregular or pebble-like tissue. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.


Be sure to feel all the tissues from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage. Repeat this step when sitting and standing.


Risk factors for developing breast cancer include being a female, obesity, lack of physical exercise, drinking alcohol, radiation, early age at first menstruation, having children late or not at all, older age, and family history.
If one is diagnosed late, the chances of surviving is very low.


There are many women living with breast cancer today and the treatment is very rigorous and expensive. The common treatment includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery to remove one or both breasts(of which that might not make the person cancer-free) and powerful pain medications. Mind you, these treatments don't make the cancer go away but just kills the cancer cells and cancer usually has its way of coming back. I encourage you all, man or woman to follow these steps and check for lumps every month.


If you're obese, please endeavour to lose weight as the cancer is more common among big women due to some hormones.


Finally, if you know anyone living with breast cancer, please and please, always be supportive in every way you can. They are going through a lot of emotional and physical pain. They need all the love and support.


Check your breasts regularly. Prevention is better than cure. Have you had a breast lump removed before? How did you find out and how was it treated? Do we have people having treatment for breast cancer, please let us know how it has been so as to encourage others.


Let's know in the comment section.