Posts tagged Perform
How to Perform Breast Self-Examination
Jan 31st
Breast cancer is one of the top diseases causing death among women. The problem of breast cancer haunts every woman. The cancer is dreaded not only for what it stands, but because of the string of complications it carries along its wake. In such a situation, detecting the onset of breast cancer is of prime consideration because in most cases, by the time the cancer is detected, the disease has spread so much that it may be too late to cure it. Nonetheless, with proper education and better treatment procedures, women have a far better chance combating the disease.
Because breast cancer is a widely dreaded disease, efforts are put in place to help women detect early signs of breast cancer and other forms of breast diseases. One such method used in detecting breast abnormalities is the breast self-examination (BSE). BSE is the process of finding abnormalities in the breast. It involves looking and feeling at both breasts for possible swellings that may be the telltale signs of breast cancer development.
How to Conduct Breast Self-Examination
BSE is performed in front of a mirror with the torso exposed so as to view better the procedure being done. The process involves doing the so-called 7Ps, which are the guide toward a successful breast examination and early detection of breast cancer. The 7 procedures are the following:
1. Position. This involves inspecting both breasts and palpate in the mirror with the arms at various positions to give the woman leverage on the examination at various angles. The examination is first performed lying down with a pillow under one shoulder and then followed by a pillow on the opposite shoulder and then finally lying flat.
2. Perimeter. This means the width with which the examination is done. First, the entire breast is examined, including the nipple and then followed by examining the area extending into the armpit and the nearby lymph nodes.
3. Palpation. This is done by palpating with the pads of the fingers without lifting the fingers as they move across the breast.
4. Pressure. This means the amount of pressure exerted on the breast during BSE. The process involves employing light pressure first, then moderate, and finally heavy pressure.
5. Pattern. There are three patterns available to a woman, whichever she feels most comfortable with. The first pattern is the so-called vertical strip, which involves moving the fingers up and down over the breast. The second pattern is the pie-wedge pattern, which starts at the nipple and then moves outwards. The third pattern is the circular pattern, which involves moving the fingers in circles outward from the nipple.
6. Practice. With the continued practice of conducting BSE, one will get a feel of the breast tissue and enable a woman to detect breast tissue changes.
7. Plan. This means knowing what to do in case changes in breast tissues are detected.
Although 80 percent of growth detected through BSE are non-malignant in nature and may not lead to breast cancer, it is nonetheless wise to report any changes to the doctor to conduct a mammogram.
Perform Cancer Screening Before It’s Too Late
Nov 25th
Now people have become more aware and more concerned about their health. People have also heard a lot about cancer and how to prevent it. Health conscious people try to eat healthy, exercise daily, and avoid carcinogens such as tobacco smoke, radiation and chemicals. But that is just not enough. Another way to make sure you are safe from cancer is taking precaution step; cancer screening.
Cancer screening is the act of looking for cancer before a person begins to have any symptoms. Being able to find cancer at an early stage makes it easier for doctors to treat and prevent cancer cell from spreading. It is also cheaper and less painful for patients if the cancer is treated as an early stage. To make it easier to understand the benefits of cancer screening I wound like to give an example of two types of cancer often found in woman and why itâs important to scan for cancer regularly.
The first type of cancer is cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a disease that affects the cervix, which is situated at the lower part of the uterus that opens at the top of the vagina. Cervical cancer usually develops very slowly and starts as a pre-cancerous condition called dysplasia. This pre-cancerous condition can be easily detected by a Pap smear and if followed up and treated properly can be 100% curable. Without being detected, dysplasia can develop into cervical cancer and spread to the bladder, intestines, liver and lungs. That is why it is very important to get regular Pap smears. Doctors recommend for woman to have a Pap test at least once every 3 years, beginning about 3 years after they begin to have sexual intercourse but no later the 21 years of age.
The second type of cancer most found in women and can be prevented by cancer screening is breast cancer. The two main types of breast cancer are ductal carcinoma which starts in the tubes that transfer milk from the breast to the nipple and lobular carcinoma which starts in the parts of the breast, called lobules that produce milk. Like cervical cancer, early breast cancer usually does not cause symptoms. Women are advised to do regular breast self-exams. This is done by checking for hard uneven lumps in the armpits and the change of size, shape and feel of the breast and nipples. You should also check for fluid coming from the nipples. Another way to check for breast cancer is by either having a clinical breast exam by a medical professional or doing a mammography screening, which is able to detect breast abnormalities that could signal breast cancer. Woman of all ages should perform monthly breast self-exams. And women who are over 40 or have high risk of developing breast cancer should have regular mammograms.
As you can see both types of cancer mentioned above do not cause symptoms at an early stage and can only be detected by cancer screening. By being able to detect cancer at an early stage can not only increase the survival rate of the patient, but can also save money, time and pain.
Cancer Healthcare Bangkok can be beneficial to the patients from Europe and Americans since the cost of treatment is less compared to their motherland. Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok is one of most trusted medical tourism for oncology healthcare Thailand in which most of the doctors are highly trained.
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