All breasts are created equal?

I will leave you to answer the question above and remember to explain in detail why you believe all breasts are created equal or otherwise.

We all agree breast cancer in men is not as common as in women but men should not assume it can never happen – spend time to “know your breasts” if you are male. Many groups as well as individuals have over the years championed the breast cancer message and have gone to great lengths to support the breast in many ways.

Our dear women should all make it a point to know their breasts, self-examine your breasts, get professional breast examinations (some countries find many of these outmoded but let us stick to them for now please) and get screening tests for breast cancer.

In your quest for breast care there are breast changes that require that you sprint to see your doctor and these include:

• A lump in the breast or armpit

• Thickening of breast skin or tissue that lasts through your period

• A change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast

• Clear or bloody fluid coming from the nipple

• A change in how the skin on your breast or nipple looks or feels. It may look dimpled, puckered, scaly, or inflamed or simply have an orange-peel appearance.

• Redness of your breast or nipple

• An area on your breast that clearly looks different from any other

• A hard, marble-like area under the skin

Your doctor will in addition to examining you request additional tests to make sure it is not breast cancer.

If you are an average Kojo like moi, you may have come across many confusing breast cancer myths. October is a great time to examine some of these;

• No matter what you may have heard in the past, 8 out of 10 breast lumps ARE NOT CANCER but we HAVE TO extensively investigate every lump to ensure it is not cancer.

• It does not matter ones age. DO NOT assume breast cancer is only for the elderly. Even women in their 20s and 30s could get breast cancer.

• When it comes to breast cancer, size does not matter. Even very small lumps can be extremely aggressive cancers.

• You could be the first person in your family with breast cancer so DO NOT assume that since you do not have any family members with breast cancer, your breast lump cannot be cancerous.

• Many women believe that once the mammogram is normal then the lump they have been harbouring is not cancer. It is unfortunate I have to spoil the party; you may need additional tests on that breast with the lump to draw a conclusion and the tests may include an ultrasound, MRI or even a biopsy where a sample or the whole of the lump is taken out.

It appears the breast cannot be predicted easily and each breast needs to be treated in a unique way.

Help to spread the news about breast cancer and save a life.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials Ltd/ St Andrews Clinic

(www.healthclubsgh.com)

Dr Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy and fitness nutrition.

Thought for the week – “October 15th is Global Handwashing Day; Together lets RAISE A HAND FOR HANDWASHING. Raise a hand for food hygiene, school hygiene, domestic and workplace hygiene.”

Reference:

1. Breast Lumps; 8 myths and facts by Sheryl Kraft for WebMD. Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario MD

2. www.webmd.com – feature article on breast cancer