Love your breasts

Have you heard of the BRA Project? Well, this is a worldwide campaign aimed to increase the level of awareness among individuals on the importance of having regular breasts check up, early detection of breast cancer and prompt treatment to save more lives.

BRA Project stands for Bra to Raise Awareness Project. Recently, one of the tertiary hospitals in the city through the Breasts Wellness Center initiated this project. The group encourages everyone to donate their used and old bras as these will be used in the installation of bra artwork. Involvement of each one equates to awareness.

But what is important here is the fact that breasts are one of the most important parts of our body and should not be taken for granted. 

Learn to do the monthly breast self-exam

 

1.       Stand before a mirror. Inspect both breasts for anything unusual, such as any discharge from the nipples, puckering, dimpling or scaling of the skin.

The next two steps are designed to emphasize any change in the shape or contour of your breasts. You should be able to feel your chest muscles tighten while doing these steps.

2.       Watching closely in the mirror, clasp hands behind your head and press hands forward.

3.       Press hands firmly on hips and bow slightly toward your mirror as you pull your shoulders and elbow forward.

4.       Raise your left arm. Use three or four fingers of your right hand to explore your left breasts firmly, carefully and thoroughly. Beginning at the outer edge, press the flat part of your fingers in small circles, moving the circles slowly around the breasts. Gradually work toward the nipple. Be sure to cover the entire breast. Pay special attention to the area between the breast and the armpit, including the armpit itself. Feel for any unusual lump or mass under the skin. Repeat the exam on your right breast.

5.       Gently squeeze each nipple and look for a discharge.

6.       Steps 4 and 5 should be repeated lying down. Lie flat on your back, right arm over your head and a pillow or folded towel under your left shoulder. This position flattens the breast and makes it easier to examine. Use the same circular motion described earlier. Repeat on your right breast.

Remember, love your breasts. Have it checked.

(Credit to the Breast Wellness Center, CMZ for the information about the  BRA Project)