Portland observer., October 26, 2011, Page 4, Image 4

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Your Care
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Breast Self-Awareness Saves Lives
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Our First
Priority
by
Dr. Marcelitte
FaiUa
Chiropractic
Physician
We are located at
1716 N.E. 42nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97213
[Betw een Broadway and Sandy Blvd.)
Automobile accident injuries
Chronic headache and joint pain
Workers Compensation injuries
Call for an appointment!
October 26, 2011
(503)228-6140
D r . J ames N. M artin J r .
Nearly one half of all cases of
breast cancer in women 50 years and
older and more than 70 percent of
cases in women younger than 50
years are discovered by women them­
selves, frequently unintentionally.
If breast cancer is found and
treated early, most cases can be
cured. Because women play such a
major role in detecting breast can­
cer, it’s important for them to de­
velop breast self-awareness, or an
understanding of the normal ap­
pearance and feel of their breasts.
Breast self-aw areness differs
from traditional breast self-exams in
that it doesn’t require women to
examine their breasts at specific in­
tervals or with a precise method.
Instead, breast self-awareness em ­
phasizes having a solid sense of
what is normal for your breasts, so
you are better able to recognize any
changes no mat­
ter how small the
changes may be,
and report them
to your doctor.
M ost breast
problem s, especially in young
women, are not cancer. Common
breast problems include:
Fibrocystic changes that may
make your breasts feel lumpy and
tender and often occur near the time
of your period. Fibrocystic changes
may also cause breast pain, itchi­
ness, and swelling.
Cysts, or small sacs filled with
fluid, which can be almost any size,
on your breasts. They usually de­
velop in women ages 25-50, and in
women who are taking hormone
therapy after menopause. Cysts are
benign in most cases.
Fibroadenom as, or solid, non-
cancerous lumps, which occur
most often in young women.
These lumps appear in both
breasts, usually in an even
pattern.
If you have felt a lump, you
should be exam ined by your
doctor even if your last m am ­
mography result was normal.
Most women who experience
fibrocystic changes, cysts, or
fibroadenom as do not have a
g rea ter chance o f d ev elo p in g
breast cancer.
In addition to the sym ptom s of
these comm on breast problem s,
you should tell your doctor if you
e x p e rie n c e n ip p le re tra c tio n
(n ip p le tu rn s in), re d n e ss o f
nipples or breast skin, and scaly
nipples or breast skin. Possible
warning signs o f breast cancer
include a lump in only one o f your
breasts, dimpling or other changes
in the skin on your breasts, and
spontaneous nipple discharge.
If you see a change in your
breasts at any time, your doctor
should exam ine them. He or she
will review when you first had
sym ptom s and how long they
have lasted. Your doctor will also
ask questions about your m edical
history to check for other factors
that could point to an increased
risk o f breast cancer.
For more inform ation, go to
cancer.gov.
Dr. James N. Martin Jr. is presi­
dent o f the American Congress o f
Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
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