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 Bev
is a volunteer in the "Sister
to Sister" Program at the Hospital of
Saint Raphael. The Sister to Sister Program helps women
receive a free mammogram (breast cancer screening) based
on a criteria and on financial need.
All women are at risk of getting breast cancer and it is
the most common kind of cancer in women. Breast cancer
is the leading cause of cancer deaths among
African-American women each year.
The risk of getting breast cancer seems to go up when a
woman: passes the age of 50, has breast cancer in her
family, is overweight, gets pregnant for the first time
after age 30 or never has children, gets her first
period very young, and continues getting periods late
into life.
When breast cancer is not caught in time it can spread
to other parts of the body and can cause death.
For more information
contact:
(203) 789-3517
Hospital of Saint Raphael
1450 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Early
detection is key, so...
Check your breasts
once a month, 2 to 3 days after your period ends.
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1.
Stand in front of the mirror. Look for dimples,
puckering, a rash, scaly skin, or any fluid from the
nipple.
2. Remaining in front of the mirror: Lock your
hands together behind your head, pressing them forward.
Look for changes in size or shape of your breasts.
3. Still in the mirror, put your hands on your
hips and bend forward. As you pull your shoulders and
elbows forward, check for any changes in size and shape. |
4.
While in the shower, raise your right arm. Use your
left hand to check your right breast. Press your fingers
in circles over the whole breast. Check from your
collarbone to below your breast and from your breastbone
to your armpit. Feel for lumps or thickening. Gently
squeeze the nipple. Check for fluid.
5. Repeat step 4 on left breast.
6. After your shower, lie down flat and repeat
steps 4 and 5. |
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