It is essential for every woman to know how to care for her
breasts because it will help ensure both their attractiveness and their health.
Breasts are highly valued as a sign of femininity. However,
breasts can present an entirely different set of problems from any other part
of the body, and these can include sagging chest muscles, swelling and
tenderness before menstruation, difficulties arising from breast feeding —
and cancer! This is why women must learn to understand and care for their
breasts.
Breast care begins with exercises to strengthen the pectoral
(chest) muscles which tend to become slack with age. Most keep-fit routines
include some helpful exercises like swinging the arms in a circular movement.
Swimming is another method. Opinion varies as to whether wearing a bra helps
prevent sagging breasts: comfort should be the deciding factor. However, some
women prefer to wear a bra only when breasts are swollen such as during
pregnancy or lactation, or when doing energetic sports.
Breasts may feel full and cause some discomfort just before
menstruation. This can often be alleviated by taking extra vitamin B and by
reducing the salt intake to avoid water retention which is frequently the major
cause of the swelling.
Mothers who wish to breast feed should make preparations
before the baby arrives. If your nipples are not prominent, then the month
before you give birth, you should massage them between the forefinger and thumb
to help them stand out more. A nightly application of lanolin cream will help
to keep the breasts supple while you are doing this.
Once breast feeding begins, problems may occur. These
include sore, cracked or inflamed breasts due to an infection. For sore
breasts, apply lanolin after each feed and expose the nipple to the air at some
time during the day. For the latter two difficulties, stop feeding on that
side, express the milk by hand and see your doctor. It is still possible to
continue feeding from the other breast while the sore one is treated.
Lumps in the breast can occur because of a wide variety of
reasons. Most often these occur during normal changes of the menstrual cycle or
because of small cysts (fluid-filled lumps of tissue) or tumors (fibrous
growths) which are harmless. Sometimes the cause is more serious, and that is
why it is especially important for women to recognize any changes in their
breasts by giving them frequent, thorough examinations.
Breasts should be examined regularly each month. Women of
childbearing age should carry out a check immediately after their period,
preferably on the same day of the cycle every month.
Undress to the waist and sit or stand in front of a mirror.
Look first for any changes in the size, shape or texture. Also check the
nipples to see if there are any obvious changes.
Then lie down, raise one arm behind your head and feel the
breast of that side with the other hand; use the flat of your hand, not your
fingertips. Gradually slide the hand around and over the breast area, moving
towards the centre of the breast and eventually to the nipple. Look out for any
thickening or lumps; nipple changes such as drawing in, sensitivity or
discharge; pain and discomfort. Once you finish with the first breast, examine
the other in the same way.
If you detect any changes, see your doctor immediately for a
more thorough examination. Often there is nothing to worry about, but if there
is breast cancer, early detection can bring successful results. For this reason
breast care ultimately means that you are caring for your life.
