| Can you remember back to when you were | | | | Learning how to do regular breast exam, you will |
| younger, to the time when you experienced | | | | no doubt discover that you are like many of us, |
| breast tenderness? It's not easy being a young | | | | and have lumpy breasts. Don't panic and assume |
| woman growing up. There is a constant roller | | | | that your breast lump is breast cancer. More than |
| coaster ride of emotions to feel and experiences | | | | likely, your lump or breast lumps you are feeling, |
| to go through. Hormones are erratic, skin | | | | are hormonal. That's why by doing your breast |
| problems seem continual and your moods are up, | | | | self exam each month, you get to know how |
| opps now they are down, no wait, they are up! | | | | your breasts normally feel, and know when to do |
| Breast tenderness is normal and common when | | | | your exam. Most breast tenderness at a younger |
| young women are going through puberty. Often | | | | age is usually associated with your cycle, so be |
| they ache, causing discomfort. Embarrassment | | | | aware and don't panic. |
| can be felt by what is thought as the "overnight" | | | | Young women also need to be aware of |
| growth of your breasts. "Honestly, I could swear | | | | inflammatory breast cancer, which is a highly |
| they weren't there yesterday!". Getting used to | | | | aggressive uncommon cancer, that does not have |
| your breasts developing, having breast | | | | a breast lump. I am not trying to scare you girls, |
| tenderness, feeling uncomfortable, finding what | | | | but do read up on inflammatory breast cancer so |
| bra is right for you, whilst going through possible | | | | that you know the particular signs of breast |
| confidence and self esteem issues, can be a huge | | | | cancer to look for. |
| ordeal! | | | | For teenage girls, I think it's never too early to |
| My advice for teenage girls and young adult | | | | start talking about womens health issues and |
| women, is to learn the basics and be breast | | | | breast cancer. Education is so important and in |
| aware. Find someone you can talk to about what | | | | my opinion it is never to early to start raising |
| you are feeling and going through. For young | | | | awareness. Sow the seed of breast health into |
| women aged 20, I would encourage you to start | | | | your teenagers mind. She may not pick up on it |
| doing monthly breast self exam. Why wait until | | | | right now, but with support and encouragement, |
| you are 40! The sooner you get into the regular | | | | open discussions and education, she may end up |
| habit of doing this, the quicker you will become | | | | being a young adult who starts doing regular |
| familiar with your breasts. Please get past the | | | | monthly breast self exam. Yippee to that I say! |
| embarrassment and weird feeling of doing breast | | | | Oh by the way girls, please don't roll your eyes |
| self exam. You and your girlfriends need to have | | | | with horror or boredom, if your mother or |
| a discussion about the signs of breast cancer - | | | | another female in your life has a breast talk with |
| you owe it to yourself to talk it over with them. | | | | you. It is only because she cares! |