On October Pink Occasion .. Steps for Early Breast Cancer Detection

Currently, the world is celebrating the ''October Pink',' a month of breast cancer awareness, which annually affects about 1.38 million new cases and 458,000 deaths from cancer, based on the estimates of the International Agency for Research on Cancer Globocan 2008, according to the World Health Organization.

Breast cancer in women is always in a higher percentage, but affects men in rare proportions.

During this October Pink, women are sensitized to this disease, methods of prevention, treatment in infection case, as well as early detection.

The logo of the celebration is designed as a pink ribbon as a symbol of breast cancer in women, while men’s ribbon are mixed between pink and blue.

First, if any patient finds the following symptoms, he/she should contact a doctor immediately:

1. Solid mass in the breast area.

2. Swelling, heat or redness in the area.

3. Change in the breast size.

4. Skin rash with nipple.

5. Withdrawal of nipple or any other part inside.

6. Strange secretions occur suddenly.

7. New pain in a certain place and continuous.

Second: Continuous check up inside a specialized place:

There are three basic tests if these symptoms are present or if patients would like to prevent it or visit a doctor for early detection of the disease:

1- Mammogram: X-ray mammography is the most accurate way to detect early breast cancer. This means every two years from the age of 40 or if patients have a family history of disease; it is best to detect early.

2-Clinical breast examination: This is a test conducted by doctors, who are governing patient’s way of self-examination whether it is correct or not as well as to know if there is a history of genetic or not; a periodic examination can occur in agreement with patient’s doctor and know the examination dates and the next steps.

3-Self-examination, which is conducted by each woman monthly, to make sure that there is none of the disease symptoms; a regular examination, should be done on the 6th to 10th day of the premenstrual syndrome period beginning "when the breast is not swollen.