When to stress over your breasts
When to stress over your breasts
Though breast cancer largely affects postmenopausal women, it's younger women who worry about it most, reports the August issue of Redbook.
Almost every woman experiences some kind of weird breast change during her 20s, 30s, or 40s, reported Ellen Mahoney, MD, a breast surgeon and clinical assistant professor of surgery at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA. Women tend to experience various breast changes during their period ranging from nipple discharge to breast tenderness.
The article lists some critical signs that indicate a women should see a doctor:
· a lump, nipple discharge, or pain that is localized in one part of the breast. When pressed with your fingertips, a "dangerous" lump feels hard and immobile;
· breast pain that is localized and lasts through a complete menstrual cycle;
· nipple discharge that is persistent, bloody, on one side only, or spontaneous;
· any new lump that does not go away after a period starts, or an old lump that is growing or changing;
· a skin infection that doesn't clear up with antibiotics;
· sudden dimpling of the skin;
· a nipple that becomes inverted.
G G G
Researchers at the University of Florida in Gainesville found that women who worked out at home were more successful in achieving results than women who exercised elsewhere, according to Better Homes and Gardens' August issue.
The study involved 49 overweight women between the ages of 40 and 60 who hadn't exercised before and whose average weight was 190 pounds. At the end of 12 months, the home exercisers maintained an average loss of 25 pounds compared to an average of 15 pounds lost by the group exercisers.
While group support for exercisers is positive, getting to the group may be enough of a problem to cause people to drop out, reported researcher Sam Sears. Sears says the idea of bringing exercise home may have made the lifestyle change more personal and helped the women make room for ongoing exercise in their lives.
G G G
Getting the best health care requires more than following doctors' orders, reports the September issue of Woman's Day. Choosing the cheapest HMO or choosing physicians because they are near your house is not enough to ensure adequate health care attention.
A doctor's reputation, credentials, communication style, and values should closely match the patient's needs
Though finding the suitable doctor is important, getting the most from health plans is equally important. If payment problems arise, women are urged to find a qualified professional outside the HMO network. If ever denied appropriate care, Women are advised to file a complaint with the state Department of Insurance. Above all, women should always trust their instincts.
G G G
The latest guidelines from the Chicago-based American Medical Association suggest most people don't necessarily need annual physicals.
According to September's Family Circle, healthy people with no health complaints or risk factors for disease only need a physical exam twice in their 20s, every one to five years in their 30s and 40s, and every one to two years from age 50 to 65. Though doctors have weeded out the tests that aren't as useful in detecting disease in seemingly healthy people, The American Cancer Society in Atlanta recommends that women who are or have been sexually active undergo annual Pap testing until they've reached at least three consecutive exams with normal findings. Only then can the test be performed less frequently at the doctor's discretion.
The Cancer Society also recommends that women age 20 and older have a clinical breast examination every three years. Starting at age 40, women should have annual mammograms and clinical breast exams. n
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.