Patient's question:
How to protect your breasts from breast cancerDoctor's answer:
Please provide a detailed analysis of the condition based on the question, offering rational guidance. How can breast cancer be prevented? Breast cancer is an unwelcome guest, though not necessarily connected to you, it doesn’t mean it won’t meet you. Once it does, life will be filled with continuous sorrow. This is its true nature, deeply felt by every woman. To keep breast cancer at bay, what measures should we take? Here are practical methods to prevent breast cancer. How to prevent breast cancer?—First, recognize some signs of breast cancer! Before breast cancer appears, four signs usually emerge. Breast lump: The most common symptom, found in over 80% of breast cancer patients. This lump differs from benign breast cysts, often single, irregular, relatively hard, poorly movable, mostly painless, and unrelated to the menstrual cycle. Any painless breast lump should be seen as an early sign of breast cancer and treated immediately. Nipple eczema: Scaling, erosion, and eczema-like changes in the nipple or areola skin, usually painless and long-lasting. Nipple discharge: In non-lactating women, sudden unilateral nipple discharge of milk-like, watery, or purulent fluid, especially bloody discharge warrants attention. Over 60% of women over 50 with bloody nipple discharge are breast cancer patients. Nipple retraction: Central breast cancer can cause nipple retraction, displacement, or fixation. If bilateral nipple asymmetry is found, examination is necessary. How to prevent breast cancer?—Self-examination should not be overlooked! Experts recommend a self-examination method, currently considered the simplest and most effective way for early breast cancer detection. Women over 20 should perform this monthly to develop good self-care habits. The steps are: Step 1: Stand in front of a mirror, arms raised overhead or hanging freely, checking for symmetry, irregularities, nipple eczema, discharge, or retraction. Step 2: Lie down, elevate the left shoulder, place the left hand behind the head. Use the right hand to examine the left breast, focusing on the upper outer quadrant, moving fingers flatly without squeezing the breast. Repeat with the left hand for the right breast. Step 3: Check both axillae and supraclavicular fossae for swollen lymph nodes. Breast cancer is a result of long-term disease accumulation, with no one-size-fits-all prevention. The above steps are routine checks. Women should focus on underlying causes rather than just surface symptoms.