Breast Cancer Information
Wellness is taking care of your health. Early detection of diseases like breast cancer can save lives.
Take Control: Get a Mammogram
All women are at risk for having breast cancer. As you get older, your risk increases. Mammograms can find lumps in the breast up to two years before they can be felt.
What is a mammogram?
- A safe, low-dose x-ray of the breast
- It is the best test available today to detect breast cancer early.
Monthly Breast Self-Examination
A self-examination is still important to detect breast cancer lumps. The shower is a good place to
examine your breasts. Fingers will glide over wet or soapy skin. Begin by raising your arm behind your head. Check the
outer, upper part of the breast toward the armpit. About half of all breast cancers are found there.
Using the pads of your fingers, gently feel your entire breast by going in a circular motion. Check for lumps or thickening. When you get out of the shower or bath, stand in front of a mirror and check your breasts. Look for any dimpling of the skin, redness or swelling.
Statistics
For women over 25, the national mortality for all types of cancer is 31.8%. Breast cancer is the cause for 30% of those deaths.
Mortality due to breast cancer in the state Baja California Sur is 14% of all the causes of death. That is one of the highest in the country.
4,580 reported deaths of women each year in Mexico are due to breast cancer.
Soure: INEG/Secretaria de Salud. Direcion de Informacion en Salud
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© 2008 Los Cabos Women's Wellness Foundation
