What are Breast-Self Exams?
o A breast self-examination involves checking your breasts for lumps or changes while standing and lying in different positions and while looking at your breasts in a mirror to note any changes in their appearance. Once you know what your breasts normally look and feel like, any new lump or change in appearance should be evaluated by a doctor. When's the best time to do a Breast-Self Exam? The best time to examine your breasts is usually one week after your menstrual period begins, when your breast tissue is least likely to be swollen or tender.
To do a breast self-examination, remove all your clothes above the waist and lie down. The examination is done while lying down so your breast tissue spreads evenly over your chest wall and is as thin as possible, making it much easier to feel all your breast tissue.
Use the pads of the three middle fingers of your left hand-not your fingertips-to check your right breast. Move your fingers slowly in small coin-sized circles. Health Maintenance:
Exercise Grooming o Yearly doctor visits for: Mammograms, Pap Smear, Colo-rectal cancer screening, Cholesterol and lipid screening, and Bone density screening o Warning signs for cancer:
§ Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area § Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast § Change in the size or shape of the breast § Dimpling or puckering of the skin § Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple § Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast § Nipple discharge that starts suddenly § New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away § To limit possibility of breast cancer:
· Limit alcohol · Don’t smoke · Control your weight · Be physically active · Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy · Avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution For more information:
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o Testicular examination
Testicular examination includes a complete physical exam of the groin and genital organs (penis, scrotum, and testicles) by your doctor. Your doctor will feel (palpate) the organs and examine them for the presence of lumps, swelling, shrinking (testicular atrophy), or other visual signs of an abnormality. A testicular examination can detect the causes of pain, inflammation, swelling, congenital abnormalities (such as an absent or undescended testicle), and lumps or masses that may indicate testicular cancer. o Testicular self-examination (TSE): Testicular self-examination (TSE) may detect testicular cancer at an early stage. Many testicular cancers are first discovered by self-examination as a painless lump or an enlarged testicle. Testicular self-examination (TSE) is done to familiarize a man with the normal size, shape, and weight of his testicles and the area around the scrotum. This allows him to detect any changes from normal. 1. Do the exam after a warm shower or bath. The warmth relaxes the skin of the scrotum, making it easier to feel for anything unusual.
2. Use both hands to examine each testicle. Place your index and middle fingers underneath the testicle and your thumbs on top. Roll the testicle between your thumbs and fingers. (It's normal for testicles to be different sizes.) 3. As you feel the testicle, you may notice a cord-like structure on top and in back of the testicle. This structure is called the epididymis. It stores and transports sperm. Do not confuse it with a lump. 4. Feel for any lumps. Lumps can be pea-size or larger and are often painless. If you notice a lump, contact your doctor. Also check for any change in size, shape, or consistency of the testes. 5. You should also get a physical exam once a year. Health Maintenance: § Exercise § Grooming § Washing: For some odd reason, many men feel the need to vigorously scrub their units with powerful soaps or disinfectants to keep clean. simple washing with warm water and a mild soap or non-soap cleanser When to Worry: § Other Signs of Testicular Cancer are: § Any enlargement of a testicle § A significant loss of size in one of the testicles § A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum § A dull ache in the lower abdomen, back or in the groin § A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum § Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum § Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts Safety Precautions:
§ You can prevent testicular cancer by doing a monthly testicular self-exam § Fact One: Contrary to populate belief, men can break their penises! § Fact Two: When it comes to overall fitness, your penis needs exercise too just to keep it healthy, functioning and capable of erections. § Smoking can shorten your genitalia by as much as a centimeter! Information found on:
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