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Information about breast care, concerns and surgery.
Breast Care Instructions for Women
The breast is one area of a woman's body that really helps her stand out as different from her male counterparts. While many men see them as objects of desire, a woman's breast is actually a pretty miraculous piece of equipment. Serving to nurture newborns and help a woman look more womanly, this item of female anatomy comes with some special care instructions.
From the time a girl develops breasts until her final days as an older, mature woman, breast cancer awareness should be in the forefront of the mind. It is a very good idea for even very young girls to be taught the basic self-examination procedures to help them spot any troubles that might appear down the road. In general, it is recommended that even teens begin to master the five-step self-examination process to help detect breast cancer symptoms if they should arise.
The process involves:
- Step 1. Most physicians recommend women examine their breasts in a mirror with their arms down as step one. The things to pay attention to here are the normal size, shape and color. If there is any puckering, dimpling or bulging of skin, it should be brought to a doctor's attention. If there are nipple changes or redness is present, this is also important to mention.
- Step 2. The second step involves exactly the same visual inspection, but this time with the arms raised.
- Step 3. At this time, the nipples should be gently squeezed to check for discharge. If there is any, it is worth bringing it up with a physician to ensure there is no cause for alarm about breast health.
- Step 4. At this juncture, a woman should lie down and use her right hand to feel her left breast and vice versa. The entire breast should be felt for any unusual lumps, bumps or growths. These, if found, should be reported.
- Step 5. The same procedure should be repeated in the standing position. Many women do this while in the shower. Take heart if anything is found, oftentimes, unusual lumps found in the breasts are not beast cancer. Instead, they turn out to be harmless cysts or fat deposits.
Breast cancer is a very common and serious concern that women, and even men, should have. Self-exams, mammograms and regular checkups can help prevent this terrible disease from taking hold.
Beyond the appearance of lumps, breast cancer symptoms might include such things as breast pain, swelling or redness. Any concerns should be directed to a doctor immediately. Breast cancer treatment, when the condition is caught early, has become remarkably effective. Thanks to efforts like the breast cancer walk and other awareness and fundraising efforts, breast treatment and research is advancing in leaps and bounds.
Over and above concerns about normal breast functioning and health, some women simply are not happy with what nature gave them or they want to reconstruct it following breast cancer treatments. Whether it is a breast enlargement procedure that is being considered, breast lifts following the birth of a child or even breast implants following cancer surgery, there are several things to think about before giving into this type of surgery.
If breast enlargement, breast augmentation or breast enhancement is desired for cosmetic reasons, the things to consider include:
- Desired outcome. The natural breast has a look and feel that is hard to duplicate cosmetically. It is very important women be aware of the fact that breast implants and breast enlargement surgery might not be able to duplicate this look and feel exactly. It is also wise to go over desired appearance following surgery with a doctor. What he or she thinks is feasible might not match the patient's ideas. Being clear here is vital before breast enhancement or breast enlargement surgery is undertaken.
- Cost. Depending on the type of breast surgery desired, the individual breast cost can be a little staggering. Some women find that breast implants are beyond their means to afford since most insurance companies will not cover this surgery, even sometimes in the case of breast cancer.
- Recovery. Breast pain following breast enlargement and even breast reduction is fairly common. Women should be aware of this going in. Also, it might take weeks or months for the breasts to settle into the size and shape they will carry. When sagging issues are a concern, a breast lift might be a better option to help reduce the recovery time.
- Risks. Even cosmetic breast augmentation surgery comes with its share of risks. A woman will likely need to go under for the procedure, which can be a danger in and of itself. Other potential risks include infection, reactions to the breast implants and more. This surgery, like all others, should not be entered into lightly.
- Frame of mind. Many surgeons will not work on women who view breast enlargement as a panacea. Although enhancements can improve a woman's appearance, they cannot fix every problem in one's life. Many surgeons will go over a few questions to help ensure a potential client has the right outlook for the surgery. Remember, there are no guaranteed results with this type of surgery.
When breast enhancement surgery is required or desired following breast cancer surgery, the rules of the road tend to change a little. The risks and potential outcomes remain the same, but often this surgery is seen as necessary to help a woman regain a sense of control over her life. It is important for patients to remember that surgeons can do incredible things with breast reconstruction, but regaining the complete look and feel of a natural breast might not be possible.
There is more to a woman's breast than meets the eye. These incredible pieces of womanly anatomy are designed to nourish the young, but they also serve to help a woman identify herself as a woman. Keeping up with breast health can be very important for overall well being. Maintaining their appearance might also be vital for self-esteem.
Any concerns related to the breasts should be brought to a doctor's attention. Questions about breast cancer, self-exams and even breast pills are best answered one-on-one with a trusted practitioner.
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