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Breast Health
Becoming a teen presents enormous changes to a young woman’s body. One of the earliest is the change in your breasts. It is also one of the most unique body changes for a young woman. No two adolescents develop breasts at the same rate, in the same way, or to the same size. While some girls start wearing bras at nine or ten, others will not until mid to late teens and still some others will prefer not to wear a bra at all. Whatever you do, don’t become caught in the comparison game. Your body is unique. Be proud of who you are, and what your body is developing to be. What you can do, however, is to be aware of how your breasts normally feel and report new changes to your health care provider. Breast self-examination (BSE) is the first step towards becoming more familiar with your breast development. BSE is a recommendation of many health care providers on how a woman can examine her breasts monthly for new changes that should be brought to the attention of the medical caregiver who takes care of you. A new change may include a breast lump, skin or nipple change or nipple discharge. Most changes are more likely benign (non-cancerous).
The best time to examine your breasts is the last day of your menstrual period when the breasts are least tender and swollen. Examine your breasts standing in the shower with soap on your fingers; begin by touching your entire breast with the tips of your fingers with gentle pressure from top to bottom with your arm raised. Use three levels of pressure to feel all depths of breast tissue – light for close to the skin, medium for deeper within the breast and firm for breast tissue nearer to the chest wall. Repeat the exam lying on your back with your arm raised. Look at your breasts in the mirror for any change in color or change in skin, or fluid from the nipples. Remember that most women have one breast slightly different in size and appearance than the other. This is normal. End by feeling each underarm with arms only slightly raised. All you need to do is get to know the way your breasts look and feel in order for you to notice a change. If you do find a lump, the first thing for you to know is that it is very unlikely to be anything more than a benign (noncancerous) growth in your breast. Breast cancer is very uncommon in teens. Because a growth in your breast is a change, it is best to bring it to the attention of whoever gives you regular health check ups such as your doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. Have it checked out so it need not worry you.
Since breast cancer very rarely develops in teenage women, then we should focus on BREAST HEALTH. What can you do to keep this part of your body healthy? Scientific studies have shown that several health habits you start in your teen years will benefit your breasts when you are older. In other words, by adopting the following recommendations, you can potentially decrease your risk of developing breast cancer in your 40’s, 50’s or even at older ages at which time the development of breast cancer is more likely to occur. A healthy diet has been shown to be helpful in decreasing a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer! For example: Five fruits or vegetables a day, preferably those of orange or green colors; preferably raw, but cooked are good too. Think of tasty choices such as strawberries, tangerines, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, apricots, red peppers, dark lettuce, spinach, kale, collards, Swiss chard, broccoli, and brussel sprouts. Include a variety of fruits and vegetables at each meal and for snacks. Limit fried vegetable products, snack chips and soft drinks. Regular exercise has also been shown to decrease the likelihood of developing breast cancer. Teenage women should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate activity per day at least five days per week. Regular physical activity also protects by helping to control weight. Studies have shown that by achieving and maintaining a healthy weight while being active on a regular basis can reduce the risk of cancer later in life. Other lifestyle habits to avoid which cause many health problems, include increasing the chance of breast cancer, are drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco. While it is against the law for those under 21 years old to purchase or consume alcohol, it is still important to understand that more than seven alcoholic drinks per week can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Tobacco use is a growing problem among teenage women. Did you know that between 25 to 30% of high school age American women smoke? Smoking in your teen years increases your risk of developing breast cancer by 70%. It is important that you know that the nicotine in tobacco is more addictive for women than men, thus making it a habit that is hard to kick. Tobacco can also cause many other health problems including causing lung cancer, not to mention the fact that it stains your skin, teeth, and fingers horrible colors and encourages the development of wrinkle well before they are naturally due!! So, why start a habit that causes so many problems and is so hard to stop? Habits you develop in your teens are those you frequently keep for life. Now is the time to start healthy habits of fun exercise and tasty, healthy eating, maintaining a healthful weight as well as avoiding smoking and alcohol. There isn’t a more exciting, changing time in your life than in your teens. Start your adult life with habits that will keep you healthy so that you can enjoy these years and those to come to the fullest!
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Featured Question of the Month © University of Connecticut Health Center. All rights reserved. |
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While breast
self-examination (BSE) is recommended for older women, why not become acquainted with your breasts at the time you start to notice their development?
Lori Wilson, M.D.