Click here to add October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Join the millions of women who get mammograms on a regular basis. If you are low income or uninsured below are a list of free and low cost testing sites in the Pomona Area.
NO COST CLINICS
* East Valley Community Health Center
680 Fair Plex Drive
Pomona CA 91768
909-620-8088
* Los Angeles County Health Services
750 So. Park Avenue
Pomona, CA 91766
909-868-0235
* Inland Agency
Desert Sierra Partnership
1737 Atlanta Avenue Ste. H5
Riverside, CA 92507
Over 50 yrs. call 1-800-511-2300
Under 50 yrs. call 951-680-9406
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LOW COST CLINICS
POMONA VALLEY HOSPITALS
Low Cost Digital Screening Mammography Clinics
Cost is$50.00 during October 2011
* Breast Health Center
1910 Royalty Drive
Pomona, CA 91767
909-865-9555
* Pomona Valley Health Center
1601 Monte Vista Avenue Ste. 107
Claremont, CA 91711
909-630-7938
* Pomona Valley Imaging Center
2140 Grand Avenue
Chino Hills, CA 91709
909-630-7875
Self Breast Exam
by M. Punukollu M.D
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. The best time to treat breast cancer is when it is detected at its earliest
How do I perform a breast exam?
Visual Inspection
•
Stand in front of a mirror with your upper body unclothed and pressing both hands behind your head.
Stand in front of a mirror with your upper body unclothed and pressing both hands behind your head. •Look for changes in the shape and size of your breasts.
Look for changes in the shape and size of your breasts. •Check for dimples of the skin or "pulling in" of the nipples.
Check for dimples of the skin or "pulling in" of the nipples. •Check for scaling or a rash on your beasts and nipples.
Check for scaling or a rash on your beasts and nipples. •Next, place your hands on your hips and press firmly inward, tightening your chest muscles, while looking at your breasts for any change in their usual appearance. Perform leaning slightly forward and again while standing upright.
Next, place your hands on your hips and press firmly inward, tightening your chest muscles, while looking at your breasts for any change in their usual appearance. Perform leaning slightly forward and again while standing upright.How should I feel my breasts?
In fact, there are three different methods that can be used, all equally effective. It is important that you choose the method that you are most comfortable with and use the same method each month.
Circular method
•Use the hand opposite the breast you are examining, beginning at the outermost top of your breast.
Use the hand opposite the breast you are examining, beginning at the outermost top of your breast. •Press the flat portions of the second, third and fourth fingertips into your breast.
Press the flat portions of the second, third and fourth fingertips into your breast. •Move in small circles slowly around your breast, working toward the nipple.
Move in small circles slowly around your breast, working toward the nipple. •Press gently to feel tissues under the skin and more firmly to feel deep tissues.
Press gently to feel tissues under the skin and more firmly to feel deep tissues. •Cover all areas of the breast.
Cover all areas of the breast. •Repeat for the opposite breast.
Repeat for the opposite breast."Wheel Spokes" Method
•Imagine your breast is divided into sections, like spokes dividing a wheel.
Imagine your breast is divided into sections, like spokes dividing a wheel. •Begin at the outermost top of the breast.
Begin at the outermost top of the breast. •Press the flat portions of the fingertips into your left breast, moving first toward the nipple, then away from the nipple.
Press the flat portions of the fingertips into your left breast, moving first toward the nipple, then away from the nipple. •When you complete that section, slide your fingers slightly to the next area and repeat the process, gradually moving around your entire breast.
When you complete that section, slide your fingers slightly to the next area and repeat the process, gradually moving around your entire breast. •Repeat for your opposite breast.
Repeat for your opposite breast.Grid Method
•Begin at the innermost portion of the breast, near the breastbone.
Begin at the innermost portion of the breast, near the breastbone. •With the flat portions of the fingertips, move down your breast, pressing firmly and gently.
With the flat portions of the fingertips, move down your breast, pressing firmly and gently. •Slide your fingers slightly and move up your breast, then down, and so forth until the entire breast area has been examined.
Slide your fingers slightly and move up your breast, then down, and so forth until the entire breast area has been examined. •Repeat for the opposite breast.
Repeat for the opposite breast.Lying down
Masses in the lower part of the breast may be more easily felt lying down.
•To examine your left breast, lie flat on your back with a pillow or folded towel under your left shoulder.
To examine your left breast, lie flat on your back with a pillow or folded towel under your left shoulder. •Raise your left arm over your head.
Raise your left arm over your head.•Use the flat portions of the second, third and fourth fingertips of your right hand to examine your left breast with one of the above methods.
Use the flat portions of the second, third and fourth fingertips of your right hand to examine your left breast with one of the above methods. •Press gently to feel tissues under the skin and then more firmly for deep tissues.
Press gently to feel tissues under the skin and then more firmly for deep tissues. •Repeat for the right breast.
Repeat for the right breast.Standing up
Masses in the upper part of the breast are easier to detect while standing upright.
•Place your left hand behind your head, and with the flat portions of the second, third and fourth fingertips of the right hand, examine your entire left breast by one of the methods described.
Place your left hand behind your head, and with the flat portions of the second, third and fourth fingertips of the right hand, examine your entire left breast by one of the methods described. •Repeat for your right breast.
Repeat for your right breast.Nipple area
•Gently squeeze your left nipple between your right index finger and thumb and look for any discharge.
Gently squeeze your left nipple between your right index finger and thumb and look for any discharge. •Repeat for right nipple.
Repeat for right nipple.Additional areas
•Check the area between the upper outer breast and your armpit, as well as the armpit itself.
Check the area between the upper outer breast and your armpit, as well as the armpit itself. •Check the area just above your collarbones for enlarged lymph nodes.
Check the area just above your collarbones for enlarged lymph nodes.When should I see my health care provider?
•If you detect a lump or change in the breast.
If you detect a lump or change in the breast. •Nipple discharge.
Nipple discharge. •"Pulling in" of the nipple.
"Pulling in" of the nipple. •Change in texture, color or dimpling of the skin.
Change in texture, color or dimpling of the skin.80% of all lumps found are normal breast tissue, benign (non-cancerous) masses. However, if you notice a change in your breast tissue, don't wait. See your health care provider immediately, even if you have had a negative mammogram in the past.
If you would like more information regarding breast cancer, or if you are concerned about breast cancer and would like to talk to a survivor, call the American Cancer Society toll free at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the web site at www.cancer.org.
.Pomona Community Crisis Center © Copyright April 2006
This Site Created & Maintained by M.V. Williams
