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Regular self-exams to check for breast cancer are important. Think of this as getting to know your body better and a form of self-care or preventative care. Bestmed highly recommends breast self-exams because it helps with early detection of breast cancer and treatment tends to be more effective during the early stages of cancer. 

It is normal to be scared and reluctant to try adding a new routine in your daily life because of fearing the unknown. However, it’s better to know than not to know because it might be a little too late. 

Breast cancer is a disease that originates in your breast tissue. Over time, the tissue forms into mass tissue, creating a tumour. Breast cancer can start in any part of the breast. 

There are multiple signs that may indicate breast cancer, such as:

• A change in size, shape, or contour of your breast
• A lump that may start out as small as a pee that can potentially grow or is growing into a mass lump 
• A change in the look and feel of your breast 
• Redness of your skin around your breast. It may vary depending on your skin colour 
• Fluid discharge from your nipple 

Breast cancer treatments may include: 

• Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and endocrine therapy
• Targeted cancer therapies 
• Surgery 
• Bone strengthening medicine

These treatments will be prescribed according to the severity of your breast cancer. 

Bestmed offers numerous healthcare benefits that are specified as preventative and treatment benefits that are covered for cancer. Bestmed also offers an Oncology care programme as part of the treatment benefits, as well as mammograms as a form of preventative care. All these benefits are applicable to certain Bestmed options.

Reference:

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/what-is-breast-cancer.htm

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3986-breast-cancer

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/treatment-decisions

https://www.bestmed.co.za/resources/articles/general/national-breast-cancer-awareness-month