Why give yourself a Breast Exam
Why examine your own breasts? Because breast self-examination (BSE) is a life-saving
habit. It is the best defense we have against breast cancer – and breast cancer is second
only to lung cancer as the leading cancer killer of women. The American Cancer Society
"Facts and Figures – 1996" now shows one out of every nine women in the U.S. will develop
breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates one in eight American women will
be diagnosed with breast cancer by age 85.
The incidence of breast cancer in women grew from the early 1970’s to 1987, by a rate of
4 percent a year. Since 1987, the American Cancer Society reports the incidence has
leveled off at about 110 cases if breast cancer per 100,000 women (barely over one tenth
of one percent (0.1%) increase. Early detection and prompt treatment have increased the
survival rate. The 5 year survival rate for localized breast cancer has risen from 78%
in the 1940’s to 96% in 1996. If the breast cancer has not spread to other areas, the
survival rate approaches 100%. BSE is a key to early detection.
This booklet will help you to learn HOW and WHEN to perform BSE properly, and WHAT to
look for. Following are some of the reasons WHY you should make BSE a regular, monthly
habit:
- BSE is for women of all ages. Some doctors recommend you begin practicing BSE as soon
as your breasts start developing. This will help you become familiar with your normal
breast structure and learn to notice any unusual changes. The American Cancer
Society, in its 1996 directive, recommends monthly BSE for women age 20 and older. As
an adult woman, you should continue BSE throughout your life including during pregnancy
and after menopause. NOW is the right time to begin practicing BSE.
- BSE is reassuring. Once you have learned how your breasts feel normally, each
month’s re-examination may confirm you have not found any changes to report. And if any
unusual changes do occur, monthly BSE will alert you to them at the earliest stage, so
that you can seek immediate advice from your doctor. The encouraging fact is that not
all changes in your breasts mean disease, and not all breast diseases are cancer; 80
percent of all breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous). Of those lumps that do prove
to be malignant (cancerous), 95 percent are found by women performing BSE.
- BSE is easy and convenient. Examining your breast takes only 10 to 15 minutes
each month, costs nothing, can be done in private, and can save your life.
- BSE can be life saving. Although cases are rare under ago 35 and most common over age 50, EVERY woman is at risk from breast cancer; breast cancer cannot be prevented, only treated -- and cured, if treated soon enough. Research shows that the tumors found by women practicing BSE are half the size of those discovered by doctors in non-BSE practicing women. And the smaller a breast cancer tumor when discovered, the greater chance of effective treatment and cure. If all women would do BSE, see their doctors for regular cancer checkups, and have mammograms as recommended, 95 percent of all breast cancers could be halted before they become fatal.
