October is National Breast Cancer Month. In this month extra attention is paid to this form of cancer. Do you ever check your own breasts?
Self-examination very important
But 6 percent of women are really afraid of getting breast cancer, 45 percent sometimes think about it and the rest don’t think about it at all. Yet 63 percent of healthy women check their breasts regularly. A fifth do so every month. More than half participate in the breast cancer population screening. According to the Breast Cancer Association of the Netherlands, in addition to self-examination, good information is also needed in which all the advantages and disadvantages are discussed.
Breast cancer underestimated
About one in eight Dutch women will develop breast cancer. Many of the Dutch women have no idea or estimate these figures to be lower. When most healthy women think of breast cancer, they think of a lump in the breast. However, this need not always be the case. One fifth of the women noticed other changes in the breast. “A lump does not have to mean breast cancer. However, it is wise not to take any risks. If you have an unusual lump, see your doctor as soon as possible. This instructional video explains how you can check your breasts regularly.
