Breasts 1998

"Do you like boobs a lot?" Apart from being a catchy song, it's an important question to ask yourself. I think most people like breasts. And many people like breasts a whole hell of a lot. Trouble is, breasts, especially those in the San Francisco Bay Area, are likely to get cancer. So if you have breasts, you should learn how to examine them and find out dietary and other changes you can make to help reduce your risk of cancer. And if you like other people's breasts and they let you touch 'em, then you should learn how to examine them too. I mean, it's not as much fun as just touching them for the hell of it, but wouldn't you like them to stick around? It's easy:

At the same time each month, check for any changes in the normal look or feel of your breasts. Look for a lump, hard knot, or skin that thickens or dimples. Report any changes to your doctor or nurse. Go for regular breast exams and Pap tests. Ask about a mammogram. Check your breasts using these steps:
	Lying down: Place a pillow under your right shoulder. Put your right hand under your head. Check your entire breast area with the finger pads of your left hand. Use small circles and follow an up-and-down pattern. Use light, medium, and firm pressure over each area of your breast. Gently squeeze the nipple for any discharge. Repeat these steps on your left breast.
	Before a mirror: Check for any changes in the shape or look of your breasts. Note any skin or nipple changes such as dimpling or nipple discharge. Inspect your breasts in four steps: arms at side, arms overhead, hands on hips pressing firmly to flex chest muscles, and bending forward.
	In the shower: Raise your right arm. With soapy hands and fingers flat, check your right breast. Use the same small circles and up-and-down pattern described in "Lying Down." Repeat on your left breast.
Illustrations & text courtesy of The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

You can find more info via your friendly neighborhood search engine. [This post was originally under a section called "random synaptic firings" which was linked from the page about Dinah. The rsf section held longer, generally more emotional writings and was the precursor to my blog].