By: Amanda Bloye, FW Writer

One of the most devastating things a woman
can hear from her doctor is that a lump has been
found in her breast. According to the Canadian
Breast Cancer society one in nine women will
develop breast cancer while one in 28 will die from
it. Fortunately there are ways to stay one step
ahead of the disease.

By performing routine breast exams and
getting an annual physical you can be sure to
catch breast cancer early. The earlier the disease
is caught the greater chance there is of survival.
Here are five easy steps, courtesy of www.
breastcancer.org, to performing a proper breast
self-exam.

Step 1
Begin the exam by standing topless in front
of a mirror with your shoulders straight and your
hands on your hips. Things to look for are that
breasts are their usual size, colour and shape,
as well as that no swelling has occurred. If any
changes such as rash, a changed nipple position
or puckering/bulging of skin occur contact your
doctor immediately.

Step 2
After looking for any initial changes in step
one, lift your arms above your head and repeat
step one, continuing to look for any changes or
abnormalities.

Step 3
Still looking in the mirror with your arms up
move your attention toward the nipples. While
examining the area look for signs of fluid coming
out of one or both nipples. If fluid exists it could
be watery, milky, yellow or mixed with blood.

Step 4
Next, lie down flat and feel your breasts
using your right hand to feel the left breast and
the left hand to feel the right breast. Pressing
in a circular motion use a firm, smooth touch,
pressing with the pads of your first three fingers
with no spaces in between them

Follow a pattern that allows you to feel
the entire breast such as moving the fingers up
and down in vertical rows or moving in circles
starting small at the breast and growing as you
move outward. Feel the front and back of your
breast using light pressure just below, medium
pressure for tissue in the middle of the breast
and firm pressure for deep tissue in the back of
the breast (you should feel your ribcage)

Step 5
Finally, feel your breasts while either
standing or sitting. Most women find that the
best time to perform this step is in the shower.
Cover the entire breast using the same motions
as in step four.

For more information on breast cancer
detection, treatment and prevention visit www.
breastcancer.org or the Canadian Cancer
Society at www.cancer.ca.