Pink October : Is there a lump in my breast?

Wacoal's Tips to Doing a Breast Self-Examination

Feel the bump? 

As much as we are all aware, breast cancer is the most common disease among women of all ethnic groups in Malaysia. In fact, research has shown that at least 1 in 19 Malaysians have the risk of developing breast cancer. Unfortunately, only 40% of women detected the disease in its advanced stages. 

The good news is that the earlier it is detected, the better the chances of recovery are. And if you're not regularly checking yourself for signs of breast cancer, you could be putting your health at risk. So, what exactly are we talking about when we say, "checking yourself"? We're talking about breast self-examination (BSE), a technique that can help you identify changes in your breasts that could be an early sign or symptom of serious complications and Wacoal has some tips on how to do it right!

 

Breast cancer symptom 

Breast cancer symptoms can be subtle and easily missed. It's easy to get used to feeling a certain way and stop paying attention to what's going on with your body. The most common symptom is a painless lump in the breast or underarm, which may be felt as a hard knot or a small marble. The lump can grow over time, sometimes becoming larger and softer. Other symptoms include:

Why should you regularly perform breast self-exam?

Breast self-examination (BSE) is an important part of self-care for women because it helps them to be familiar with the appearance of their breasts. But there's more to it than just a breast check-up. It is also about getting an early start on finding potential problems—a crucial part of preventing breast cancer from starting in the first place. You must do this examination once a month after the 7th or 10th day of your menstrual period. Here is the easiest way you can perform BSE:

	In front of the mirror In front of the mirror is a great place to visually inspect your breasts. Use three levels of pressure: light pressure to feel all around your breasts, medium pressure to feel just under the nipple and around the edges of each breast, and lastly firm pressure to feel deep inside the breast tissue.
	Lay down position  This position flattens the breast and makes it easier to check for abnormalities. Place your right hand behind your head and use your left hand to make circular motions over the entire breast area in an up-and-down motion. Repeat this process several times until you find anything unusual.

 

It can be difficult at first but if you are consistent with your BSE you'll have a better understanding of your own knowledge of what is normal and what is not. This shows beyond doubt that breast cancer awareness is important to encourage women all around the world to perform BSE on themselves.

We believe that every woman deserves to feel empowered in her own body. Ladies, it is time to reclaim your confidence with Remamma! This product is uniquely meaningful as it celebrates life after breast cancer by empowering women with prostheses. Remmamma has created a range of products that are designed to give you the confidence you need to feel like yourself again—hence, Wacoal is joining the Pink October movement with its Pink Ribbon Campaign to show our support for those who have been affected. 

Prevention Tips: Diet, Exercise, and Stress Management

It's time to get down to business.

We've given you the facts, discussed the symptoms, and we've even talked about why you should perform BSE regularly. But now it's time for the real deal: How can we stop breast cancer before it starts? 

The answer is simple. PREVENTION. 

• Be physically active

In addition to lowering your risk of heart disease and diabetes, exercise also helps keep your weight in check, which lowers the risk of breast cancer.

• Limit your alcohol intake

Even light to moderate drinking (1-2 drinks per day) has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer by 10%. The risk of breast cancer increases for women who have more than 4 alcoholic drinks per week.

• Understand your family health history

You may have heard some people say that breast cancer runs in the family. This means that there's a higher chance for someone to develop breast cancer if other people in their family have had it. If you know that you have a family history of breast cancer, ask your doctor about genetic testing so you can find out if there's anything you can do to lower your risk of developing this disease. 

• Practice healthy stress management techniques

Don't get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life—instead, practice healthy stress management techniques that bring you joy! No matter what method you choose, however—whether it's meditation or a bubble bath—the key is finding something that recharges your batteries so you can get through each day with more energy and less stress.