Breast cancer: self-preservation

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Extract from the article: Early detection of cancer plays a major role in its successful management and in reducing the risk of recurrence and after-effects of treatment. While some screening procedures can only be carried out by a health professional, self-cleansing is a qui

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Early detection of cancer plays a major role in its successful management and in reducing the risk of recurrence and after-effects of treatment. While some screening procedures can only be carried out by a health professional, self-cleansing is a quick and easy test that can be performed regularly by all women. Health professionals strongly encourage this simple procedure. Why should I examine my own breasts?

The month of October is dedicated to raising awareness of voluntary breast cancer screening. To prevent this disease, health professionals advise girls of childbearing age to do breast self-examination during their menstrual periods. However, some women are unaware of this method and others don't believe in it. « They say you should massage your breasts every morning to see if there's a hard lump inside, but I don't believe in that, so I don't do it », said Crépine, a pupil in Year 1 at a state secondary school in Lomé. « This practice rots children because it can make a girl want to sleep with a boy, it's rubbish what white people are teaching us here », said Papa John, a man in his sixties, indignantly, before continuing, « in our time, there was no such thing, yet our women didn't suffer from it ».

 

While some people don't believe in or appreciate breast self-examination, Anita, a 28-year-old sales agent in a microfinance company, personally thinks it's a good exercise. It allows « the young girl or woman to get to know her body better and find out quickly if there is any change so that she can alert the gynaecologist and find a rapid solution if necessary ». So it's important that women learn to do breast self-examination, because while it may not detect cancer, early detection can cure it.

Importance

Breast self-examination consists of carefully observing and palpating the breasts while lying down, looking for any change in them. This is to detect any risk of cancer or tumour and treat it as early as possible.

Dr Adjovi Rose Adjenou-Atanley, Director of the Lomé International Cancer Centre (CICL), points out that « self-breast palpation is a salutary act for women as far as cancer is concerned.So any girl who starts her period should be encouraged to feel her breasts.As a reminder, the breasts should be palpated after the menstrual period, because during this period, the breasts are a little heavy and hurt.In front of a mirror, the woman or girl should compare her two breasts and then palpate ».

How do you feel your breasts?

« The girl or woman should hold out her four (04) fingers at the very beginning. The right hand goes to palpate the left breast, and the left hand goes around the right breast. The 04 fingers are therefore used to go around the breast as far as the nipples. The hollow of the armpits should also be explored, as this area sometimes contains balls.Palpation is performed at the end of each period. Older women who no longer experience menstruation should choose a specific date in the month to palpate themselves.This practice should be repeated on the same date each month ».

Women should also have mammograms and, above all, consult a doctor if their breasts hurt.

William O.