Early Detection

“Early discovery of breast cancer remains the most important step in altering the course of breast cancer,” says the publication Radiologic Clinics of North America. In this regard three key measures are regular breast self-examination, annual examination by a doctor, and mammography.

Breast self-​examination should be done regularly each month, as a woman must be vigilant in looking for anything suspicious in the appearance or the feel of her breasts, such as a hardening or a lump. No matter how small her finding may seem, she needs to contact her doctor immediately. The earlier a lump is diagnosed, the more control she has over her future. A report from Sweden showed that if a nonmetastatic breast cancer was slightly over one half inch [15 mm] or smaller in size and was surgically removed, a life expectancy of 12 years was 94 percent possible.

Dr. Patricia Kelly comments: “If you haven’t heard from a breast cancer in 12 1/2 years, it’s very unlikely to come back. . . . And women can be taught to find breast cancers smaller than a centimeter [1/3 in.] in size just using their fingers.”

It is recommended that a physical exam by a clinician or physician should be done routinely each year, especially after a woman reaches the age of 40. If a lump is discovered, it would be good to get a second opinion from a breast specialist or surgeon.

The National Cancer Institute in the United States says that a good weapon against breast cancer is a regular mammogram. This form of X ray can detect a tumor perhaps up to two years before it can be felt. The procedure is recommended for women over 40. However, Dr. Daniel Kopans informs us: “It is far from perfect.” It cannot detect all breast cancers.

Dr. Wende Logan-​Young of a breast clinic in New York State tells Awake! that if a woman or her physician finds an abnormality but a mammogram shows no sign of it, the tendency may be to ignore the physical findings and believe the X ray. She says that this is “the biggest mistake that we see nowadays.” She advises women to have a certain reservation about mammography’s ability to detect cancer and rely heavily also on breast examination.

While mammography can detect tumors, it cannot really diagnose whether they are benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). That can only be done by means of a biopsy. Consider the case of Irene, who went for a mammogram. Based on the X-ray film, her doctor diagnosed her lump as a benign breast disease and said: “I’m absolutely sure you don’t have cancer.” The nurse who did the mammogram was worried, but Irene said: “I felt that if the doctor was sure, maybe I was being paranoid.” Soon the lump grew larger, so Irene consulted another doctor. A biopsy was taken and showed that she had inflammatory carcinoma, a fast-​growing cancer. To determine whether a tumor is benign (as about 8 out of 10 are) or malignant, a biopsy must be performed. If the lump looks or feels clinically suspicious or is growing, a biopsy should be performed.

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Self-​Examination​—A Monthly Checkup

BREAST self-​examination should be done four to seven days after the menstrual period. Postmenopausal women also need to check every month on the same day.

Signs to Look for Every Month on the Same Day

• Lump of any size (tiny or large) or thickening in the breast.

• Puckering, dimpling, or discoloration of the skin of the breast.

• Drawing back or turning in of the nipple.

• Rash or scaling of the nipple or escaping fluid.

• Enlarged glands under the arm.

• Changes in moles or incisions of the breast.

• Marked asymmetry of breasts that is a change from normal.

Self-​Examination

While standing, raise the left arm. Using the right hand and beginning at the outer edge of the breast, press the flat part of the fingers in small circles, moving slowly around the breast and toward the nipple. Give attention also to area between underarm and breast.

Lying flat, position a pillow under the left shoulder, and place left arm over or behind the head. Use the same circular motion as described above. Reverse for the right side.

Gently squeeze the nipple to check for any discharge. Repeat for the right breast.