Breast Health

What should I know about breast health?

Your breasts are more than just a part of your womanly shape. They also provide nourishment for your baby and can serve as a source of health issues. Breast health is an important part of your wellness and well-being. Knowing how your breasts feel normally helps you identify changes that require a visit to your specialist at Progressive Care for Women.

Your specialist recommends you conduct a breast self-exam every month about 3-5 days before you start your period. During your monthly exam, you need to palpate your breast tissue with your fingertips to check for lumps. You should also look at your breasts in the mirror to assess for changes in shape, size, or skin texture.

What are common conditions that affect breast health?

When you think breast health and health concerns, you may automatically think breast cancer. While breast cancer is a top concern for both you and your specialist at Progressive Care for Women, there are other conditions that affect breast health that should be evaluated by your specialist.

Common conditions that affect breast health include:

• Fibrocystic breast, which cause lumps and swelling
• Cysts
• Fibroadenomas, which cause rubbery lumps that you can easily move
• Blocked milk ducts

If you’re experiencing breast pain or you find a lump during your breast self-exam, contact the team at Progressive Care for Women and schedule an evaluation.

What can I expect during a clinical breast exam?

Your clinical breast exam is similar to your breast self-exam. During the evaluation, your specialist first looks at your breasts to assess size, shape, and skin texture. Then, your specialist palpates your breast tissue with their fingertips to check for lumps and other abnormalities.

If breast tissue changes are detected during your breast exam, your specialist may recommend diagnostic imaging, such as a mammogram or ultrasound, to further evaluate the tissue.

When do I need a mammogram?

Your specialist at Progressive Care for Women determines when you should start getting mammograms based on the results of your breast exam as well as your medical and family history. In general, women should start mammogram screenings for breast cancer at age 50. However, your specialist may recommend you start your screenings earlier if you have a history of breast cancer in your family or if abnormalities were found during your a breast exam.

For expert women’s health care from a team who focuses on your overall wellness, call Progressive Care for Women today or request an appointment online.