Radioactive is a physic term used to describe a terminology process of Radioactive spectrum activity. Every single things in this world have it own radioactive but in small scale of spectrum that not effecting human health. Radioactive example is X-Ray that used to scan inner human body. When we are going to scan using X-Ray, the Radiologist will advice us weather we are available for that purpose. For example, a pregnant woman will be advised not to used X-Ray because of the ray might effect to the baby. Millions of human body cell might be died or dispose during the process.
So, can you imagine what happen if a nuclear radiator like Fukushima Plant in Japan burst?. A Nuclear Radiator need very high and contains so many even may be millions of radiation will spreed to the air and of cause effecting human health!. A nuclear rod such as Uranium will cause the increasing of temperature where used to boiled water and generate the electricity power plant.
When the earthquake hit Sendai, Japan with 9.0 Ritcher Scale, Their Nuclear Power Plant was overheating because of radioactive activity that cause the plant increasing of temperature.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, December 21, 2009
Breast Risk..
Risk
Breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women. Although the exact causes are unknown, there are known risk factors that can influence the development of breast cancer.
The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is one in nine by the age of 85 and one risk factor is increasing age; 80 per cent of all breast cancer occurs in women over the age of 50. The older the woman, the higher the risk.
Because we are all different, any of the known associated risk factors will not affect us all in the same way. Identifying the cause of breast cancer to one specific risk factor is not possible for most people, unless they have been shown to have an increased risk factor, for example, such as carrying one of the BRCA genes.
What is risk?
Risk measures the chance of something happening. There are a number of ways in which risk is represented. Risk is commonly communicated, by healthcare professionals and the mass media, in two ways - relative risk and absolute risk.
* Relative risk: the likelihood of something happening to people exposed to a particular risk, compared to those not exposed to that risk
* Absolute risk: the chances of something happening to a person over a period of time.
Risk can be reported in many ways, from single word descriptions to lengthy comparative studies. It is important to remember that risk is not always communicated clearly and it can be difficult to figure out what a risk means to a person in real terms.
What does it mean to me?
Risk perceptions can be influenced by our economic, social and cultural factors as well as our own personal experiences. That is, when given information about a risk, we form a value judgement based on many factors, such as our past experiences, what is in the media, combined with information from our family and friends.
We know that breast cancer is a complex disease influenced by genetics, lifestyle choices and environmental factors. Many of these factors are out of our control.
Some factors can be influenced by a change in lifestyle choices, for example maintaining a health weight, although this may not stop breast cancer developing. Before you make lifestyle changes, the risk and benefits should be considered clearly, as these changes could affect your quality of life and increase your fear of breast cancer developing.
Preventing breast cancer
With the exact causes of breast cancer unknown, we are not able to prevent breast cancer happening. Some women who have one of the BRCA genes may be offered preventative treatment, such as risk-reducing surgery or drug trials, but these treatments do not completely remove the chances of breast cancer.
How chances are increased
As you read on, you may feel that one or more risk factors apply to you. However, this does not necessarily mean that your chances of developing breast cancer are increased, as the exact causes of breast cancer remain unknown.
Age
The chances of getting breast cancer increase as we get older but it is important to be vigilant whatever age you are; evidence has shown that if breast cancer is found early, there are more treatment options and the outcome is often better.
However, when it is said that women have a one in nine chance of developing breast cancer by the age of 85, it does not refer to a one in nine chance for younger women, it refers to a lifetime risk. For women in their early 20s, the risk is closer to one in 15,000.
Sex and hormones
Men and women can both get breast cancer, despite more women developing the condition. This is because hormones play a big part in getting and treating breast cancer. For some patients, anti-oestrogen treatments will be used to manage breast cancer.
The length of time that oestrogen circulates the body depends on a number of factors. It is important to remember that we can control only some of these factors.
Factors that can influence Oestrogen levels
* What age your periods start and finish - the longer oestrogen circulates around the body, the higher the risk
* Having children, the age at which you have children and number of children - evidence has shown that the age a woman first becomes pregnant may be important. Having children in your 20s and having more than one child may have a protective effect against breast cancer
* If you breastfeed or not and how long for - statistics show that breastfeeding protects against breast cancer with the length of time you breastfeed effecting the level of protection, but there are some women who don’t breastfeed for personal reasons
* Your body weight after the menopause - in recent years, there has been evidence that increased weight following the menopause is associated with an increased risk. This is because when a woman is postmenopausal, she will still produce oestrogen from the fat cells in her body.
If you are considering a change to your lifestyle, it is important to speak to your GP and weigh up the benefits, versus the risks, in detail.
Other breast problems and breast cancer risk
Nine out of ten women who go to their local breast clinic will be diagnosed with a benign (non-cancerous) breast problem. This does not mean that they are at an increased risk of breast cancer. For a few women diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia, managing this risk would be discussed at that time by a specialist.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women. Although the exact causes are unknown, there are known risk factors that can influence the development of breast cancer.
The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is one in nine by the age of 85 and one risk factor is increasing age; 80 per cent of all breast cancer occurs in women over the age of 50. The older the woman, the higher the risk.
Because we are all different, any of the known associated risk factors will not affect us all in the same way. Identifying the cause of breast cancer to one specific risk factor is not possible for most people, unless they have been shown to have an increased risk factor, for example, such as carrying one of the BRCA genes.
What is risk?
Risk measures the chance of something happening. There are a number of ways in which risk is represented. Risk is commonly communicated, by healthcare professionals and the mass media, in two ways - relative risk and absolute risk.
* Relative risk: the likelihood of something happening to people exposed to a particular risk, compared to those not exposed to that risk
* Absolute risk: the chances of something happening to a person over a period of time.
Risk can be reported in many ways, from single word descriptions to lengthy comparative studies. It is important to remember that risk is not always communicated clearly and it can be difficult to figure out what a risk means to a person in real terms.
What does it mean to me?
Risk perceptions can be influenced by our economic, social and cultural factors as well as our own personal experiences. That is, when given information about a risk, we form a value judgement based on many factors, such as our past experiences, what is in the media, combined with information from our family and friends.
We know that breast cancer is a complex disease influenced by genetics, lifestyle choices and environmental factors. Many of these factors are out of our control.
Some factors can be influenced by a change in lifestyle choices, for example maintaining a health weight, although this may not stop breast cancer developing. Before you make lifestyle changes, the risk and benefits should be considered clearly, as these changes could affect your quality of life and increase your fear of breast cancer developing.
Preventing breast cancer
With the exact causes of breast cancer unknown, we are not able to prevent breast cancer happening. Some women who have one of the BRCA genes may be offered preventative treatment, such as risk-reducing surgery or drug trials, but these treatments do not completely remove the chances of breast cancer.
How chances are increased
As you read on, you may feel that one or more risk factors apply to you. However, this does not necessarily mean that your chances of developing breast cancer are increased, as the exact causes of breast cancer remain unknown.
Age
The chances of getting breast cancer increase as we get older but it is important to be vigilant whatever age you are; evidence has shown that if breast cancer is found early, there are more treatment options and the outcome is often better.
However, when it is said that women have a one in nine chance of developing breast cancer by the age of 85, it does not refer to a one in nine chance for younger women, it refers to a lifetime risk. For women in their early 20s, the risk is closer to one in 15,000.
Sex and hormones
Men and women can both get breast cancer, despite more women developing the condition. This is because hormones play a big part in getting and treating breast cancer. For some patients, anti-oestrogen treatments will be used to manage breast cancer.
The length of time that oestrogen circulates the body depends on a number of factors. It is important to remember that we can control only some of these factors.
Factors that can influence Oestrogen levels
* What age your periods start and finish - the longer oestrogen circulates around the body, the higher the risk
* Having children, the age at which you have children and number of children - evidence has shown that the age a woman first becomes pregnant may be important. Having children in your 20s and having more than one child may have a protective effect against breast cancer
* If you breastfeed or not and how long for - statistics show that breastfeeding protects against breast cancer with the length of time you breastfeed effecting the level of protection, but there are some women who don’t breastfeed for personal reasons
* Your body weight after the menopause - in recent years, there has been evidence that increased weight following the menopause is associated with an increased risk. This is because when a woman is postmenopausal, she will still produce oestrogen from the fat cells in her body.
If you are considering a change to your lifestyle, it is important to speak to your GP and weigh up the benefits, versus the risks, in detail.
Other breast problems and breast cancer risk
Nine out of ten women who go to their local breast clinic will be diagnosed with a benign (non-cancerous) breast problem. This does not mean that they are at an increased risk of breast cancer. For a few women diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia, managing this risk would be discussed at that time by a specialist.
Breast Risk..
Risk
Breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women. Although the exact causes are unknown, there are known risk factors that can influence the development of breast cancer.
The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is one in nine by the age of 85 and one risk factor is increasing age; 80 per cent of all breast cancer occurs in women over the age of 50. The older the woman, the higher the risk.
Because we are all different, any of the known associated risk factors will not affect us all in the same way. Identifying the cause of breast cancer to one specific risk factor is not possible for most people, unless they have been shown to have an increased risk factor, for example, such as carrying one of the BRCA genes.
What is risk?
Risk measures the chance of something happening. There are a number of ways in which risk is represented. Risk is commonly communicated, by healthcare professionals and the mass media, in two ways - relative risk and absolute risk.
* Relative risk: the likelihood of something happening to people exposed to a particular risk, compared to those not exposed to that risk
* Absolute risk: the chances of something happening to a person over a period of time.
Risk can be reported in many ways, from single word descriptions to lengthy comparative studies. It is important to remember that risk is not always communicated clearly and it can be difficult to figure out what a risk means to a person in real terms.
What does it mean to me?
Risk perceptions can be influenced by our economic, social and cultural factors as well as our own personal experiences. That is, when given information about a risk, we form a value judgement based on many factors, such as our past experiences, what is in the media, combined with information from our family and friends.
We know that breast cancer is a complex disease influenced by genetics, lifestyle choices and environmental factors. Many of these factors are out of our control.
Some factors can be influenced by a change in lifestyle choices, for example maintaining a health weight, although this may not stop breast cancer developing. Before you make lifestyle changes, the risk and benefits should be considered clearly, as these changes could affect your quality of life and increase your fear of breast cancer developing.
Preventing breast cancer
With the exact causes of breast cancer unknown, we are not able to prevent breast cancer happening. Some women who have one of the BRCA genes may be offered preventative treatment, such as risk-reducing surgery or drug trials, but these treatments do not completely remove the chances of breast cancer.
How chances are increased
As you read on, you may feel that one or more risk factors apply to you. However, this does not necessarily mean that your chances of developing breast cancer are increased, as the exact causes of breast cancer remain unknown.
Age
The chances of getting breast cancer increase as we get older but it is important to be vigilant whatever age you are; evidence has shown that if breast cancer is found early, there are more treatment options and the outcome is often better.
However, when it is said that women have a one in nine chance of developing breast cancer by the age of 85, it does not refer to a one in nine chance for younger women, it refers to a lifetime risk. For women in their early 20s, the risk is closer to one in 15,000.
Sex and hormones
Men and women can both get breast cancer, despite more women developing the condition. This is because hormones play a big part in getting and treating breast cancer. For some patients, anti-oestrogen treatments will be used to manage breast cancer.
The length of time that oestrogen circulates the body depends on a number of factors. It is important to remember that we can control only some of these factors.
Factors that can influence Oestrogen levels
* What age your periods start and finish - the longer oestrogen circulates around the body, the higher the risk
* Having children, the age at which you have children and number of children - evidence has shown that the age a woman first becomes pregnant may be important. Having children in your 20s and having more than one child may have a protective effect against breast cancer
* If you breastfeed or not and how long for - statistics show that breastfeeding protects against breast cancer with the length of time you breastfeed effecting the level of protection, but there are some women who don’t breastfeed for personal reasons
* Your body weight after the menopause - in recent years, there has been evidence that increased weight following the menopause is associated with an increased risk. This is because when a woman is postmenopausal, she will still produce oestrogen from the fat cells in her body.
If you are considering a change to your lifestyle, it is important to speak to your GP and weigh up the benefits, versus the risks, in detail.
Other breast problems and breast cancer risk
Nine out of ten women who go to their local breast clinic will be diagnosed with a benign (non-cancerous) breast problem. This does not mean that they are at an increased risk of breast cancer. For a few women diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia, managing this risk would be discussed at that time by a specialist.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women. Although the exact causes are unknown, there are known risk factors that can influence the development of breast cancer.
The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is one in nine by the age of 85 and one risk factor is increasing age; 80 per cent of all breast cancer occurs in women over the age of 50. The older the woman, the higher the risk.
Because we are all different, any of the known associated risk factors will not affect us all in the same way. Identifying the cause of breast cancer to one specific risk factor is not possible for most people, unless they have been shown to have an increased risk factor, for example, such as carrying one of the BRCA genes.
What is risk?
Risk measures the chance of something happening. There are a number of ways in which risk is represented. Risk is commonly communicated, by healthcare professionals and the mass media, in two ways - relative risk and absolute risk.
* Relative risk: the likelihood of something happening to people exposed to a particular risk, compared to those not exposed to that risk
* Absolute risk: the chances of something happening to a person over a period of time.
Risk can be reported in many ways, from single word descriptions to lengthy comparative studies. It is important to remember that risk is not always communicated clearly and it can be difficult to figure out what a risk means to a person in real terms.
What does it mean to me?
Risk perceptions can be influenced by our economic, social and cultural factors as well as our own personal experiences. That is, when given information about a risk, we form a value judgement based on many factors, such as our past experiences, what is in the media, combined with information from our family and friends.
We know that breast cancer is a complex disease influenced by genetics, lifestyle choices and environmental factors. Many of these factors are out of our control.
Some factors can be influenced by a change in lifestyle choices, for example maintaining a health weight, although this may not stop breast cancer developing. Before you make lifestyle changes, the risk and benefits should be considered clearly, as these changes could affect your quality of life and increase your fear of breast cancer developing.
Preventing breast cancer
With the exact causes of breast cancer unknown, we are not able to prevent breast cancer happening. Some women who have one of the BRCA genes may be offered preventative treatment, such as risk-reducing surgery or drug trials, but these treatments do not completely remove the chances of breast cancer.
How chances are increased
As you read on, you may feel that one or more risk factors apply to you. However, this does not necessarily mean that your chances of developing breast cancer are increased, as the exact causes of breast cancer remain unknown.
Age
The chances of getting breast cancer increase as we get older but it is important to be vigilant whatever age you are; evidence has shown that if breast cancer is found early, there are more treatment options and the outcome is often better.
However, when it is said that women have a one in nine chance of developing breast cancer by the age of 85, it does not refer to a one in nine chance for younger women, it refers to a lifetime risk. For women in their early 20s, the risk is closer to one in 15,000.
Sex and hormones
Men and women can both get breast cancer, despite more women developing the condition. This is because hormones play a big part in getting and treating breast cancer. For some patients, anti-oestrogen treatments will be used to manage breast cancer.
The length of time that oestrogen circulates the body depends on a number of factors. It is important to remember that we can control only some of these factors.
Factors that can influence Oestrogen levels
* What age your periods start and finish - the longer oestrogen circulates around the body, the higher the risk
* Having children, the age at which you have children and number of children - evidence has shown that the age a woman first becomes pregnant may be important. Having children in your 20s and having more than one child may have a protective effect against breast cancer
* If you breastfeed or not and how long for - statistics show that breastfeeding protects against breast cancer with the length of time you breastfeed effecting the level of protection, but there are some women who don’t breastfeed for personal reasons
* Your body weight after the menopause - in recent years, there has been evidence that increased weight following the menopause is associated with an increased risk. This is because when a woman is postmenopausal, she will still produce oestrogen from the fat cells in her body.
If you are considering a change to your lifestyle, it is important to speak to your GP and weigh up the benefits, versus the risks, in detail.
Other breast problems and breast cancer risk
Nine out of ten women who go to their local breast clinic will be diagnosed with a benign (non-cancerous) breast problem. This does not mean that they are at an increased risk of breast cancer. For a few women diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia, managing this risk would be discussed at that time by a specialist.
Breast Screening
Breast screening
Breast screening (mammography) is an x-ray examination of the breasts. It may help to detect breast cancer before there are any signs or symptoms. The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed the more effective treatment may be.
Going for screening
In the UK, women between 50 and 70 (64 in Northern Ireland) are invited for breast screening every three years as part of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP). This age range is due to be extended to 47 to 73 in the near future.
Women under 50 are not invited for routine breast screening. This is because in younger women the density of the breast tissue makes it more difficult to interpret the mammogram (breast x-ray) and detect problems. Also, the incidence of breast cancer is much lower in this age group – 80 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50 and the risk continues to increase with age.
To be invited for screening you have to be registered with a GP. Your name will be taken from your GP’s list and you’ll be sent an appointment from the screening service to come for a mammogram. This may not happen the year you turn 50 but it will happen by the time you are 53.
If you’re over 70 you won’t be sent an appointment for screening. However, you’re still entitled to breast screening every three years if you ask for it. You can contact your local breast screening unit by calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (or NHS 24 on 08454 242424 in Scotland). Or ask your GP or practice nurse to arrange an appointment for you.
The results of your screening mammogram are sent by post to you and your GP. Some women will be sent a recall letter asking them to come back. It will explain if another mammogram is needed because of technical reasons (if the image is unclear), or if further tests are needed to assess a problem seen on the mammogram. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be breast cancer, but further tests are needed to find out what it is.
Going for breast screening will not prevent breast cancer from occurring. It’s important to continue to be breast aware and report any changes to your GP even if you’ve had a mammogram recently, as breast cancer can develop in between screening mammograms.
Limitations of routine screening
Mammography is the most reliable way of detecting breast cancer early, but like other screening tests it is not perfect. For example, not all breast cancers can be seen on mammogram, some breast cancers are very difficult to see, or very occasionally the doctors reading the mammogram may miss the cancer, no matter how experienced they are.
Concerns about screening
Certain conditions diagnosed through screening may never develop further or may grow so slowly that they would never cause harm during a woman’s life. However, it is currently recommended that they are all treated, because it is not possible to determine how they will develop in the future. Some doctors think that this can result in unnecessary treatment and anxiety.
Breast screening (mammography) is an x-ray examination of the breasts. It may help to detect breast cancer before there are any signs or symptoms. The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed the more effective treatment may be.
Going for screening
In the UK, women between 50 and 70 (64 in Northern Ireland) are invited for breast screening every three years as part of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP). This age range is due to be extended to 47 to 73 in the near future.
Women under 50 are not invited for routine breast screening. This is because in younger women the density of the breast tissue makes it more difficult to interpret the mammogram (breast x-ray) and detect problems. Also, the incidence of breast cancer is much lower in this age group – 80 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50 and the risk continues to increase with age.
To be invited for screening you have to be registered with a GP. Your name will be taken from your GP’s list and you’ll be sent an appointment from the screening service to come for a mammogram. This may not happen the year you turn 50 but it will happen by the time you are 53.
If you’re over 70 you won’t be sent an appointment for screening. However, you’re still entitled to breast screening every three years if you ask for it. You can contact your local breast screening unit by calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (or NHS 24 on 08454 242424 in Scotland). Or ask your GP or practice nurse to arrange an appointment for you.
The results of your screening mammogram are sent by post to you and your GP. Some women will be sent a recall letter asking them to come back. It will explain if another mammogram is needed because of technical reasons (if the image is unclear), or if further tests are needed to assess a problem seen on the mammogram. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be breast cancer, but further tests are needed to find out what it is.
Going for breast screening will not prevent breast cancer from occurring. It’s important to continue to be breast aware and report any changes to your GP even if you’ve had a mammogram recently, as breast cancer can develop in between screening mammograms.
Limitations of routine screening
Mammography is the most reliable way of detecting breast cancer early, but like other screening tests it is not perfect. For example, not all breast cancers can be seen on mammogram, some breast cancers are very difficult to see, or very occasionally the doctors reading the mammogram may miss the cancer, no matter how experienced they are.
Concerns about screening
Certain conditions diagnosed through screening may never develop further or may grow so slowly that they would never cause harm during a woman’s life. However, it is currently recommended that they are all treated, because it is not possible to determine how they will develop in the future. Some doctors think that this can result in unnecessary treatment and anxiety.
Right Choose For Your Bras..
A quick guide to breasts and bras
* A quick guide to breasts and bras
* What's 'normal'?
* All about breasts
* All about bras
* Breast cancer - the facts
* FAQs
Breast m8s (homepage header)
A quick guide to breasts and bras
Your breasts
* Your breasts will usually start to develop around age 9 to 11, but it’s quite normal for them to start earlier or later than this.
* Everyone’s breasts develop at different rates, so don’t worry if your friends’ breasts are bigger or smaller than yours.
* Breasts are usually fully developed by the time you are 17.
* Your breasts will change at different times of your life – when you have your period, if you have a baby, and when you get older and your periods stop.
Size and shape
* Breasts come in many different shapes and sizes – no one else will have breasts quite like yours.
* Nipples can point up or down, be dark or pale, big or small – and can look different on each breast.
* There’s nothing you can do to make your breasts bigger or smaller – creams, pills, massage, exercise or sleeping on your front won’t make any difference.
Don’t worry!
All these things are normal, and are nothing to worry about!
* One breast bigger than the other.
* One or both nipples turning inwards (inverted).
* Breasts feeling lumpy, smooth, soft or firm.
* Hair growing around the nipple.
* Bumps on the areola (the darker area around the nipple).
* Tender, sore or lumpy breasts just before your period.
* Stretch marks as your breasts develop.
All about bras
* Wearing a bra supports your breasts, which don’t have any muscle.
* You’ll need to try on lots of different bras to find the best one for you.
* Sporty, lacy, padded, underwired – what you wear and when is up to you.
* Most people don’t bother, but it’s fine to sleep in a bra if you want to – just make sure it’s comfortable.
* When you exercise wear a sports bra that gives your breasts good support.
* Check now and then to make sure your bra still fits and feels comfortable.
* If your bra is showing signs of wear and tear it’s time for a new one.
Take it back!
A well fitting bra should feel comfortable, make you feel confident and look good. Your bra doesn’t fit properly if:
* you have marks or lines on your shoulders, sides, back or breasts when you take it off
* your breasts bulge out the top, sides or bottom
* the back strap rides up above your shoulderblades
* the centre of the bra sits away from your body
* the underwiring digs in your armpits
* the underwiring sits away from your body
* your bra cups look wrinkly
* your bra straps keep slipping down your shoulders.
Don’t believe it!
None of these things will give you breast cancer:
* using a deodorant
* wearing an underwired bra
* injuring your breast
* having your nipple pierced.
* A quick guide to breasts and bras
* What's 'normal'?
* All about breasts
* All about bras
* Breast cancer - the facts
* FAQs
Breast m8s (homepage header)
A quick guide to breasts and bras
Your breasts
* Your breasts will usually start to develop around age 9 to 11, but it’s quite normal for them to start earlier or later than this.
* Everyone’s breasts develop at different rates, so don’t worry if your friends’ breasts are bigger or smaller than yours.
* Breasts are usually fully developed by the time you are 17.
* Your breasts will change at different times of your life – when you have your period, if you have a baby, and when you get older and your periods stop.
Size and shape
* Breasts come in many different shapes and sizes – no one else will have breasts quite like yours.
* Nipples can point up or down, be dark or pale, big or small – and can look different on each breast.
* There’s nothing you can do to make your breasts bigger or smaller – creams, pills, massage, exercise or sleeping on your front won’t make any difference.
Don’t worry!
All these things are normal, and are nothing to worry about!
* One breast bigger than the other.
* One or both nipples turning inwards (inverted).
* Breasts feeling lumpy, smooth, soft or firm.
* Hair growing around the nipple.
* Bumps on the areola (the darker area around the nipple).
* Tender, sore or lumpy breasts just before your period.
* Stretch marks as your breasts develop.
All about bras
* Wearing a bra supports your breasts, which don’t have any muscle.
* You’ll need to try on lots of different bras to find the best one for you.
* Sporty, lacy, padded, underwired – what you wear and when is up to you.
* Most people don’t bother, but it’s fine to sleep in a bra if you want to – just make sure it’s comfortable.
* When you exercise wear a sports bra that gives your breasts good support.
* Check now and then to make sure your bra still fits and feels comfortable.
* If your bra is showing signs of wear and tear it’s time for a new one.
Take it back!
A well fitting bra should feel comfortable, make you feel confident and look good. Your bra doesn’t fit properly if:
* you have marks or lines on your shoulders, sides, back or breasts when you take it off
* your breasts bulge out the top, sides or bottom
* the back strap rides up above your shoulderblades
* the centre of the bra sits away from your body
* the underwiring digs in your armpits
* the underwiring sits away from your body
* your bra cups look wrinkly
* your bra straps keep slipping down your shoulders.
Don’t believe it!
None of these things will give you breast cancer:
* using a deodorant
* wearing an underwired bra
* injuring your breast
* having your nipple pierced.
Breast Awareness
Breasts are mainly made up of glandular, fibrous and fatty tissue. They sit on the front of the chest and extend down and around into the armpit. The breast tissue is supported by ligaments and the large chest muscle that extends over most of the ribs.
The glandular tissue contains lobes, with many smaller lobules inside each one. The lobules are the milk-producing glands. During lactation breast milk is carried through tubes called ducts to the nipple ready for breastfeeding. The darker area of skin around the nipple is called the areola. On the areola there are some little raised bumps. These are quite normal and are called Montgomery glands. They produce fluid to moisturise the nipple.
Normal breast changes
Your breasts change constantly throughout your life from puberty, through adolescence, the childbearing years, and then the menopause (change of life). This is because of the varying levels of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone in your body.
Before a period
From puberty onwards oestrogen and progesterone play a vital part in regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle, which results in having periods. It is these hormones that are responsible for the changes you may notice in your breasts just before your period.
Your breasts may feel heavier and fuller. They may also be tender or lumpy. After a period this lumpiness becomes less obvious or may disappear altogether, although some women have tender, lumpy breasts all the time. Many women also have breast pain linked to their menstrual cycle (cyclical breast pain).
During pregnancy
Breast changes can be an early sign of being pregnant. Many women feel a change in sensation in their breasts such as tingling and soreness (particularly of the nipples). This is due to increased levels of progesterone and the growth of the milk ducts. The breast and the areola begin to get bigger. The nipples and areola become darker and remain that way during pregnancy. Please see our Breast changes during and after pregnancy publication in the Related media box for more information.
When breastfeeding
Large amounts of milk are produced to breastfeed a newborn baby, and the breasts can change size many times a day according to the baby’s feeding pattern. Nipples can sometimes become sore and cracked, but this generally gets better over time. When breastfeeding stops the breasts gradually go back to how they were before pregnancy, although they may be a different size and less firm than before.
Before, during and after the menopause
From around the mid-30s onwards the breasts begin to age and the glandular tissue is gradually replaced by fat. As oestrogen levels fall during and after the menopause the breasts may change size, lose their firmness, feel softer and may droop. Breast lumps are also common at this time, and these often turn out to be breast cysts (benign fluid-filled sacs).
It’s still important to see your GP (local doctor) about any changes that are new for you, even though most of
these will be benign (harmless).
Breast problems
Sometimes breast changes can indicate a benign breast condition that may need treatment. For example, breast pain linked to your periods is common and usually seen as normal. However, when it’s severe and long lasting it can be seen as something that needs treating.
Being breast aware
Whatever your age, size or shape it’s important to take care of your breasts. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, so it’s important to look after your breasts by being breast aware.
Being breast aware is an important part of caring for your body. It means getting to know how your breasts look and feel, so you know what is normal for you. You can then feel more confident about noticing any unusual changes.
How do I check my breasts?
There’s no right or wrong way to check your breasts. Try to get used to looking at and feeling your breasts regularly. You can do this in the bath or shower, when you use body lotion, or when you get dressed. There’s really no need to change your everyday routine. Just decide what you are comfortable with and what suits you best.
Remember to check all parts of your breast, your armpits and up to your collarbone.
The breast awareness 5-point code
1. Know what is normal for you
2. Know what changes to look and feel for
3. Look and feel
4. Report any changes to your GP without delay
5. Attend routine breast screening if you are aged 50 or over
The glandular tissue contains lobes, with many smaller lobules inside each one. The lobules are the milk-producing glands. During lactation breast milk is carried through tubes called ducts to the nipple ready for breastfeeding. The darker area of skin around the nipple is called the areola. On the areola there are some little raised bumps. These are quite normal and are called Montgomery glands. They produce fluid to moisturise the nipple.
Normal breast changes
Your breasts change constantly throughout your life from puberty, through adolescence, the childbearing years, and then the menopause (change of life). This is because of the varying levels of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone in your body.
Before a period
From puberty onwards oestrogen and progesterone play a vital part in regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle, which results in having periods. It is these hormones that are responsible for the changes you may notice in your breasts just before your period.
Your breasts may feel heavier and fuller. They may also be tender or lumpy. After a period this lumpiness becomes less obvious or may disappear altogether, although some women have tender, lumpy breasts all the time. Many women also have breast pain linked to their menstrual cycle (cyclical breast pain).
During pregnancy
Breast changes can be an early sign of being pregnant. Many women feel a change in sensation in their breasts such as tingling and soreness (particularly of the nipples). This is due to increased levels of progesterone and the growth of the milk ducts. The breast and the areola begin to get bigger. The nipples and areola become darker and remain that way during pregnancy. Please see our Breast changes during and after pregnancy publication in the Related media box for more information.
When breastfeeding
Large amounts of milk are produced to breastfeed a newborn baby, and the breasts can change size many times a day according to the baby’s feeding pattern. Nipples can sometimes become sore and cracked, but this generally gets better over time. When breastfeeding stops the breasts gradually go back to how they were before pregnancy, although they may be a different size and less firm than before.
Before, during and after the menopause
From around the mid-30s onwards the breasts begin to age and the glandular tissue is gradually replaced by fat. As oestrogen levels fall during and after the menopause the breasts may change size, lose their firmness, feel softer and may droop. Breast lumps are also common at this time, and these often turn out to be breast cysts (benign fluid-filled sacs).
It’s still important to see your GP (local doctor) about any changes that are new for you, even though most of
these will be benign (harmless).
Breast problems
Sometimes breast changes can indicate a benign breast condition that may need treatment. For example, breast pain linked to your periods is common and usually seen as normal. However, when it’s severe and long lasting it can be seen as something that needs treating.
Being breast aware
Whatever your age, size or shape it’s important to take care of your breasts. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, so it’s important to look after your breasts by being breast aware.
Being breast aware is an important part of caring for your body. It means getting to know how your breasts look and feel, so you know what is normal for you. You can then feel more confident about noticing any unusual changes.
How do I check my breasts?
There’s no right or wrong way to check your breasts. Try to get used to looking at and feeling your breasts regularly. You can do this in the bath or shower, when you use body lotion, or when you get dressed. There’s really no need to change your everyday routine. Just decide what you are comfortable with and what suits you best.
Remember to check all parts of your breast, your armpits and up to your collarbone.
The breast awareness 5-point code
1. Know what is normal for you
2. Know what changes to look and feel for
3. Look and feel
4. Report any changes to your GP without delay
5. Attend routine breast screening if you are aged 50 or over
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