Calendaring Life

Cancer check

Description: Women, check yourself for breast cancer.

Men, check yourself for testicular cancer.

Sure, it's morbid, but not catching it early is worse.

From WebMD:
For Women
How Do I Perform a Breast Self-Exam?

If you choose to do self-breast exam, follow the steps described below.

In the mirror:

1. Stand undressed from the waist up in front of a large mirror in a well-lit room. Look at your breasts. Don't be alarmed if they do not look equal in size or shape. Most women's breasts aren't. With your arms relaxed by your sides, look for any changes in size, shape, or position, or any changes to the skin of the breasts. Look for any skin puckering, dimpling, sores, or discoloration. Inspect your nipples and look for any sores, peeling, or change in the direction of the nipples.
2. Next, place your hands on your hips and press down firmly to tighten the chest muscles beneath your breasts. Turn from side to side so you can inspect the outer part of your breasts.
3. Then bend forward toward the mirror. Roll your shoulders and elbows forward to tighten your chest muscles. Your breasts will fall forward. Look for any changes in the shape or contour of your breasts.
4. Now, clasp your hands behind your head and press your hands forward. Again, turn from side to side to inspect your breasts' outer portions. Remember to inspect the border underneath your breasts. You may need to lift your breasts with your hand to see this area.
5. Check your nipples for discharge (fluid). Place your thumb and forefinger on the tissue surrounding the nipple and pull outward toward the end of the nipple. Look for any discharge. Repeat on your other breast.

In the shower:
6. Now, it's time to feel for changes in the breast. It is helpful to have your hands slippery with soap and water. Check for any lumps or thickening in your underarm area. Place your left hand on your hip and reach with your right hand to feel in the left armpit. Repeat on the other side.
7. Check both sides for lumps or thickenings above and below your collarbone.
8. With hands soapy, raise one arm behind your head to spread out the breast tissue. Use the flat part of your fingers from the other hand to press gently into the breast. Follow an up-and-down pattern along the breast, moving from bra line to collarbone. Continue the pattern until you have covered the entire breast. Repeat on the other side.

Lying down:
9. Next, lie down and place a small pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder. Put your right hand behind your head. Place your left hand on the upper portion of your right breast with fingers together and flat. Body lotion may help to make this part of the exam easier.
10. Think of your breast as a face on a clock. Start at 12 o'clock and move toward 1 o'clock in small circular motions. Continue around the entire circle until you reach 12 o'clock again. Keep your fingers flat and in constant contact with your breast. When the circle is complete, move in one inch toward the nipple and complete another circle around the clock. Continue in this pattern until you've felt the entire breast. Make sure to feel the upper outer areas that extend into your armpit.
11. Place your fingers flat and directly on top of your nipple. Feel beneath the nipple for any changes. Gently press your nipple inward. It should move easily.




For Men

Testicular self-examination (TSE)

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.
How To Prepare

No special preparation is needed before a testicular examination by your health professional. But for comfort, you should empty your bladder ahead of time. You will be asked to undress and put on a hospital gown.

Testicular self-examination (TSE) is painless and takes only a minute. It is best performed after a bath or shower, when the scrotal muscles are warm and relaxed.
How It Is Done
Testicular self-examination (TSE)

TSE is best performed after a bath or shower, when the scrotal muscles are warm and relaxed. If you do the exam at another time, remove your underwear so that your genitals are exposed. See a picture of testicular self-examination .

Stand and place your right leg on an elevated surface about chair height. Then gently feel your scrotal sac until you locate the right testicle. Roll the testicle gently but firmly between your thumb and fingers of both hands, carefully exploring the surface for lumps. The skin over the testicle moves freely, making it easy to feel the entire surface of the testicle. Repeat the procedure for the other side, lifting your left leg and examining your left testicle. Feel the entire surface of both testicles.

Generally, there is no pain or discomfort associated with a testicular self-examination (TSE) unless a testicle is swollen or tender. A cancerous lump usually is firm to the touch and usually is not tender or painful when pressed.
Risks

There are no risks associated with a testicular examination or testicular self-examination (TSE).
Results

Testicular examination and testicular self-examination (TSE) are two different methods to detect lumps or abnormalities of the testicles.
Testicular examination and testicular self-examination (TSE) Normal:

Each testicle should feel firm but not hard, and the surface should be very smooth, without any lumps or bumps. The spongy, tubelike structure (epididymis) may be felt on the top and down the back side of each testicle. One testicle (usually the left) may hang slightly lower than the other, and one testicle may be slightly larger than the other. This difference is usually normal.

No pain or discomfort is experienced during testicular examination or TSE.
Abnormal:

A small, hard lump (often about the size of a pea) is felt on the surface of the testicle, or the testicle is swollen or enlarged. If you notice a lump or swelling during TSE, contact your health professional immediately. Do not delay or wait for the lump to go away because it may be an early sign of testicular cancer. Immediate treatment provides the best chance for a cure.

One or both testicles are not felt. If you cannot feel one or both testicles while performing TSE, contact your health professional. This may indicate an undescended testicle.

A soft collection of thin tubes (often referred to as a "bag of worms" or "spaghetti") is felt above or behind the testicle. This may indicate a varicocele.

Sudden (acute) pain or swelling in the scrotum that is noticed during the testicular examination or TSE may indicate an infection (epididymitis) or blockage of blood flow to the testicle (testicular torsion), either of which require immediate medical evaluation.

A free-floating lump in the scrotum that is not attached to a testicle may be present but is not a cause for concern.

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