(cont.)
menopause, or taking birth control pills or other hormones. It is normal for the breasts to feel a little lumpy and uneven. Also, it is common for a woman's breasts to be swollen and tender right before or during her menstrual period. Women who notice anything unusual during a breast self-exam or at any other time should contact their health care provider.
Also, it is important to remember that breast self-exams cannot replace regular screening mammograms and clinical breast exams. Although breast self-exams lead to more breast biopsies, studies so far have not shown that breast self-exams reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer.
Five Stages of a Self-Breast Exam
Step 1:
Look at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.
Look for: breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color. Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling. Tell your doctor if you see any of the following changes: Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin, redness, soreness, rash, or swelling.
Step 2:
Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.
Step 3:
While you're at the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb and check for abnormal drainage.
Step 4:
Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side-from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage. Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. Be sure to feel all the breast tissue: just beneath your skin with a soft touch and down deeper with a firmer touch. Begin examining each area with a very soft touch, and then increase pressure so that you can feel the deeper tissue, down to your ribcage.
Step
5:
Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.
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Terri Todd (left) and Lisa Nowka (right) are X-Ray Technicians and Mammographers at Mecosta County Medical Center. "The Imaging Department performs over 5,000 mammograms per year, and approximately 150 biopsies. The key concept for women to remember is to get tested early because these tests can save lives", says Lisa.
Terri pointed out that women and men shouldn't worry about these tests being painful. "The painful wish that testing was done earlier is a lot worse", says Terri.
The new mammography machine (right) has the capabilities of performing stereotactic biopsies. |
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MHS Announces new Physician Assistant in Canadian Lakes |
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 Mecosta
Mecosta Health Services has expanded its medical staff with the addition of Meredith Reavill, PA-C (Physician Assistant). Meredith works directly with both Family Practice Physicians, Dr. Charles Brummeler and Dr. Channing Finkbeiner in the Canadian Lakes office, assisting them with their busy practices. She is available in the office every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
A graduate of the Central Michigan University Physician Assistant program, Meredith completed her undergraduate degree at Michigan State University. Her primary training is in OB/GYN, pediatrics, family practice, surgery, sports medicine, emergency medicine, and internal medicine. She has a special interest in family medicine, women's health and sports medicine. "I am very excited and look forward to serving our community - primarily focusing on acute patient care full-time, to allow the clinic to better meet the immediate needs of its patients," says Reavill. "I'm also looking forward to improving people's health through effective patient education/disease management and promoting preventative health care." If you have any questions, you may call the Canadian Lakes office at (231) 972-6000.
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