Think Pinker

According to Top News a study published just the other day states that women who are overweight or obese have a much greater risk of breast cancer. In fact, you are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.

The conclusion was reached after a study that included almost 300,000 women that were past menopause. It took into account all kind of things including their mammogram history. And what it found was that breast cancer increases where directly parallel to increase in weight. In other words they rose parallel. Overweight women were found to have anywhere from 10% to 35% greater risk of developing breast cancer over women with normal weight.

It’s believe that this occurs because women that are overweight have higher levels of estrogen circulating through the body and estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer tumours.

Breast self exams are very important so let’s review the steps:

Step 1: With your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips, and look at your breasts in the mirror.
Watch for changes to your breasts size, shape, and color. Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin, or a nipple that has changed position or inverted should be seen by your doctor.
Step 2: Raise your arms and look for the same changes.
Step 3: Still at the mirror, watch for signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples.
Step 4: Next, lye down, and feel your breasts. Use your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm touch with the first few finger pads of your hand but keep your fingers flat. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter. Start at the top of the breast and work your way to the bottom.
Step 5: Finally, while you are standing or sitting feel your breasts. This can be easy when you are just out of the shower