It is recommended to perform this technique every month from the age of 20
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is why the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) in Querétaro recommends that women, from the age of 20, perform breast self-exams every month, in order to detect this disease in a timely manner.
The oncologist and coordinator of General Surgery of the Regional General Hospital (HGR) n. 1, Aldo Olvera Casas, indicated that breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women.
Therefore, she stressed that self-examination is the best early breast cancer formula, which is why she recommended that women perform this practice on a regular basis, seven days after menstruation and, if they no longer have it, to do it on a fixed day of the month.
If any abnormality is found, go to the corresponding Family Medicine Unit (UMF) to perform complementary ultrasound and mammography studies.
The specialist explained that an inspection should be performed standing in front of the mirror, placing the arms along the sides of the body and observing the breasts. Look for changes in the shape, size or surface of the skin especially sinking, swelling, redness or ulceration.
Or, you can feel in front of the mirror or while taking a bath, raise your right arm and place your hand on the back of your neck; With the fingertips of the middle three of his left hand, he scans the entire right breast, starting from the top and moving clockwise.
“Look for hard or sore areas in the armpit that haven’t been felt before. Finally, gently squeeze the nipple with your fingertips to see if there is an abnormal outflow of fluid, ”the doctor detailed.
On the other hand, Olvera Casas highlighted that another early diagnosis technique is the clinical examination of the breast, which is performed by a health worker, doctor or nurse, in the UMF, on women from 25 years of age; such as mammography, an x-ray study carried out on both breasts, for women aged 40 to 69, and is performed every two years.
It is worth mentioning that the IMSS of Querétaro has so far carried out over 19,300 mammograms in 2022.
