How to Breast Self-Checking

Doing breast self examination or BSE be the first step to detect abnormalities in the breast. Perform regular breast self-exam, which every month on the 10th day counted from the beginning of menstruation. BSE can be women from the age of 20 years. Because by doing this early examination, breast cancer can be prevented from higher risk.

It would be easier if you do BSE after a bath. Movement touched or gently massaging easier because there is still soap stuck to the skin. Find out how:

1. Notice breast carefully, see if there is any abnormality or normal. The trick there are two, first by lifting your hands up over your head. Second, put your hands on the waist. This can help you identify breast. Is there a change in breast shape or not symmetrical. You can also see if there are wrinkles on the breast, skin changes such as orange peel. If you find these signs should see a doctor immediately.

2. Raise your left arm above your head to gently massage the breast. Use a flat surface of the finger to massage the breast. Be sure to touch all parts of the breast. Use the same pattern every month. Grabbing, pressing, or gently massage the breast to help you find out if there is a lump or not. Although not all lumps are cancer, still, you should immediately consult a physician to diagnose and get a more precise handling.

3. BSE can be done with three massage movements. The first rotating direction of movement by touching all parts of the breast. Touch breast with a circular motion like the area surrounding the nipple. The second movement, do breast self-exam in a systematic, with the rise and fall. Make sure all parts of the breast was touched, both the edges and middle. Third, do breast self-direction with the movement in and out in every part of the breast.

4. Also check your nipple with a gentle push. Verify whether there is fluid coming out. If the nipples are tender, remove the blood or fluids, it's a sign that you immediately went to the doctor. In addition there are also signs  such as nipple scaly, reddened, and swollen.

It only takes about 10 minutes to perform BSE. So, do it regularly every month. If you find a lump permanent, do not hesitate to immediately went to the doctor, for treatment earlier and more precisely to prevent breast cancer.

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Soybean, Source of Nutritions

Processed soy products like tempeh and tofu has been so widely consumed by people in Asia, included of Indonesian, and even can be regarded as the main menu. However, there is still stigma that tempeh and tofu are the middle to lower food, although soy is a complete nutritional composition. Nutrient composition of soy is as follows:
Water:                          5 - 9.4%
Protein:                  29.6 - 50.3%
Fat:                        13.5 - 24.3%
Carbohydrates:     16.6 - 40.2%
Ash:                         3.3 - 6.4%
Calcium:                        220 mg
Iron:                                11 mg
Phosphorus:                   585 mg
Vitamin A:                      110 SI
Vitamin B1:                  1.07 mg
 
In 100 grams of soy.

Fat content of soy, mostly in the form of fatty acids (88.10%), phospholipide (9.8%) and glikolipida (1.6%). Unsaturated fatty acid content of 78.7% and 14.5% saturated fatty acids. Soybeans are a source of essential fatty acids oleic and linoleic. Unsaturated fatty acids in the know can prevent artherosklerosis blood vessels. In the body, unsaturated fatty acids serves to break free cholesterol into cholesterol ester.

The biggest soy protein globulin composed by 90%, 10% albumin. Soy protein containing 18 amino acids are 9 kinds of essential amino acids and 9 types of non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids include cystine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. Non essential amino acids include alanine, glycine, arginine, histidine, proline, tyrosine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid. This protein plays a major role in cell growth and repair.

Carbohydrates in soybean consists of 2 fractions, namely soluble and insoluble fractions. Soluble fraction consisting of hexoses, sucrose, raffinosa, stakiosa and verboskasa. Insoluble fraction consists of hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, pectin and complex carbohydrates. The majority of soybean carbohydrates are in the form of compounds raffinosa as oligosaccharides with low molecular weight. This carbohydrate group led flatulensi (bloating) in ruminants and humans, so before consumption, soy should be soaked several hours to reduce the content of this compound. Hemicellulose contained in soy is a food fiber that has a hypocholesterolemic effect, which is influential in lowering blood cholesterol.

Soybean is a good source of minerals, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mg and Na. Na serves as a diuretic to control hypertension. Vitamin content of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and carotene. As the type of legume, soy is also a good source of folic acid.

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Soy Prevent Breast Cancer Since the Puberty

Scientific proof that soy beneficial for the prevention of cancer appear to continue to grow. Nuts are rich in protein content is believed to be having an enormous potential against the growth of breast cancer, especially if consumed since puberty.

Young women should eat food made from soy if  she want to avoid the risk of breast cancer. In soybeans, according to investigators contained a kind of important chemical called genistein that is claimed to be effective against cancer.

Nevertheless, major challenges still faced by the researchers in the use of these substances in soy genistein. They have to make sure how soy can be used appropriately to provide protection of adolescent women from this vicious disease. The timing seems important in the use of this bioactive food, and if we can reveal why these substances can protect, then we can provide breast cancer prevention in a broader scope.

Although there are various theories that explain the relationship while soy to the prevention of cancer. However, there is currently no convincing explanation about why the cancer risk reduction effects are stronger during childhood and early puberty.

So far, there are only three research that examines the benefits of soy in puberty and its influence on the development of advanced-stage breast cancer. Two of the research has focused on Asian women who eat soy in the daily menu.

This research indicates that soy offers a very strong protective effect - which is about 50 percent lower risk of breast cancer - when consumed during childhood and early adolescence. In fact the strongest evidence revealed through a variety of research in mice. From this animal research, data on exposure to genistein in pre puberty is very consistent in showing decreased risks of cancer. Exposure to genistein in fetal development or in adulthood did not show precisely the same impact protection.

Further testing in rats showed that the use of genistein in puberty can suppress levels of terminal end buds (terminal end buds) or structures that cause the growth of mammary epithelial tissue, where the cells lining the milk ducts, and in the epithelial cells of breast cancer is growing.

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What to Look For When Checking for Breast Self

Millions of women in the world positive breast cancer and largely too late to realize it. Before the late notice, immediately do the examination early with BSE.

Someone that has no risk factors can still develop breast cancer. Screening and early detection is the right tool to reduce the risk of death caused by this disease.

Only a few risk factors that can be done to prevent breast cancer, such as avoiding hormone replacement therapy for long-term, having a child before age 30, breastfeeding, avoiding overweight with doing exercise and proper diet, and limiting alcohol consumption. There is data that suggests that vitamin A, C, and E can protect against breast cancer, but further research is needed to prove it. Currently, the most important for every woman is to lower the risk by doing a screening mammogram on a regular basis, doing breast self-exam, and see a doctor regularly.

Breast self examination (BSE) is one way to detect abnormalities in the breast. BSE can do yourself at home each month after the menstrual cycle. Make a benchmark date for the conduct BSE tests on the dates that you will remember, such as pay bills.

What must be realized while doing BSE?
1. Palpable lump.
2. Thickening of the skin.
3. Changes in size and shape of the breast.
4. Skin shrinkage.
5. Discharge from the nipple when not nursing.
6. There is pain in the breast without any obvious cause.
7. Swelling of the upper arm.
8. Palpable lump in the armpit or neck.

If abnormalities are found as described above, or feel no change compared to the situation in the previous month, then immediately consult a doctor for further examination.

Risk factors for breast cancer:
1. First got my period at age less than 10 years.
2. Experiencing menopause (menopause) after the age of 50 years.
3. Not married.
4. It never bear children.
5. First child after age 35 years.
6. Never breastfed children.
7. Have had breast surgery are caused by abnormal benign or malignant breast tumors.
8. Having a family member suffering from cancer.

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