Oct. 2, 2002--
News Specialist Jill Atwood reports.
According to the chief of mammography at LDS Hospital, self examination is very beneficial if done dilegently and correctly. He says downplaying its importance is what could be deadly.
Young women are shown at an early age how to do self breast exams to make sure everything feels right,
but today everything we've ever been told was called into question.
260-thousand Chinese women were placed into two groups. One group was taught self exams and one group was not. Ten years later, the group that was taught the self exams actually had more women die of breast cancer.
Dr. Brett Parkinson/LDS Hospital: "WHAT THAT SAYS IS JUST TEACHING SELF BREAST EXAMINATION DOESN'T REDUCE THE RISK OF DYING OF BREAST CANCER. WE NEED TO DO A STUDY THAT LOOKS AT THE BREAST SELF EXAM, IF IT'S DONE CORRECTLY, IF IT'S DONE EVERY SINGLE MONTH, AND IF IT HAS BEEN TAUGHT WELL."
Dr. Brett Parkinson is the chief of mamography at LDS Hospital. He says it would be tragic if women stopped self examinations. He says if they do it regularly, and correctly they can pick up lumps earlier.
Of course, mammograms are recommended to women over 40 years old, and regular check-ups and ultrasounds are recommened to those at high risk under 40.
"IF A WOMAN DOES SELF EXAMINATION AND IT IS NORMAL TO HER FINGERS, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT EVERYTHING IS OKAY NECESSARILY. IT JUST MEANS THAT HER SELF BREAST EXAM WAS NORMAL."
A lump,
scaly skin,
changes to the nipple,
discharge from the nipple,
or any odd dimpling in the breast is not normal.
If you do find or see something that doesn't seem right, make an appointment with your doctor right away.
For women under 40, regular check-ups and self breast exams are all that's necessary.
Younger breast tissue is usually more sensitive and does not react as well to x-rays. That's why doctors choose to focus on the high risk groups.
