Every woman’s experience with her breasts is similarly unique. While one person may have dramatic changes in the appearance and feel of her breasts over time related to menstrual cycle, pregnancy, birth control pills, age and weight changes, others may never be aware of symptoms. It helps to become comfortable with the appearance and feel of your own breasts so that you can be confident when there is a change you want to discuss with your doctor. If you feel a lump, don’t wait. Make the call.
Eating healthy is not just for waistlines
Healthy food choices have the potential to not only improve your appearance, but can prevent or even repair injury to cells and DNA that can, in some cases, otherwise lead to cancer. Nutritionists recommend a varied diet of more than two-thirds fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and beans with lean protein filling the remainder of the plate. Avoiding processed, high-fat, high-salt and high-sugar foods is recommended, too.
Make a toast, but take a sip
Alcohol is linked to breast cancer in women, and the risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed so limit or eliminate your intake.
What is my risk?
Before you meet with your doctor, determine if anyone in your family has had breast cancer: women and men on both your mother’s and father’s sides. As best you can, try to learn how old they were when it was first discovered. Has anyone had ovarian cancer? Your doctor can use all of this information and the answers to other questions to help determine your risk and the best testing choices and timing for you.
Take them out
Self examination, regular physical examination by your doctor and mammograms are the primary means by which one checks the breast for the possibility of cancer. Women with above-average risk may be told to begin mammography at a younger age.
Get the right support!
Proper breast support is more than the bra you choose, it is who you turn to for help. Finding a health-care team that you can trust and are comfortable with is critical to maintaining good health. Women should feel they are able to speak freely of concerns, and trust that they will be heard even if the information they share is ultimately shown not relevant to their health status.
To find a doctor or schedule an appointment visit Steward DoctorFinder™ or call 1-800-488-5959.
To find a doctor or schedule an appointment, visit Steward DoctorFinder™.
