We're coming up to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Do you know Breast Cancer? Take the quiz and find out how much you know.
Where is the most common site for breast cancer in the breast to begin?
Which quadrant is it?
- Lower outer quadrant
- Lower inner quadrant
- Upper outer quadrant
- Upper inner quadrant
If you answered upper outer quadrant you are right. I remember this because of learning about Tail of Spence from the gyn nurses at Yale. I show patients (men and women) where this area is - it's above the breast tissue and goes up to the collar bone. I include checking the lymph nodes under the arm.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv28TEA99rg
The breast has 12 to 20 lobes and most of the glandular or lobular tissue is in the upper outer quandrant of each breast accounting for more breast cancer in that region.
I encourage women and men to do weekly breast massage to stimulate blood circulation and lymphatic flow. The breast receives blood from the internal mammary artery that runs underneath the breast tissue. Blood delivers nutrients and oxygen to the tissue. The lymphatic vessels flow in the opposite direction of the blood supply. They take cellular waste out of the breast tissue and drain into the lymphatic nodes. When breast cancer mobilizes it moves to the first lymph node in the chain of lymph nodes. The first node is known as the sentinel lymph node.
Cancer begins at the terminal duct-lobular units of the breast and it follows the path of the ducts.
What is the most common path of breast cancer when it moves?
- Internal mammary nodes and occasionally ipsilateral lymph node
- Ipsilateral lymph node and occasionally an internal mammary node
- None of the above
You are right if you guessed the ipsilateral lymph node and occasionally the internal mammary node are the most common path of metastatic breast cancer.
What is the percentage of women who find a lump and are diagnosed with breast cancer?
- 3 percent
- 6 percent
- 10 percent
- 15 percent
6 percent is the answer. If you find something say something. Early diagnosis is better prognosis. When we find cancers early you have treatment options and that is the best time to utilize alternative medicine. Our focus is on building your body's natural defense system whether you choose chemo, radiation or another therapy.
What is the best time to examine your breasts?
- Follicular phase
- Ovulation phase
- Luteal phase
Besides greeting your breast friends everyday the best time to examine your breasts if you are still menstruating is during the follicular phase or just after your period has ended.
It time to reconnect with your breasts. It is a life long partnership. Call me and ask me about how to do a breast massage with specialized oils that promote better breast health.
Quiz question credit
Beckmann CRB, Casanova R, Chuang A, et. al. Chapter 33: Disorders of the Breast. Obstetrics and Gynecology. Seventh Ed. Philadelphia, PA. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2014;303-304.
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