Since the American health care system is designed to treat illness rather than people, preventive health care education is rarely a part of that system.
What that means to us, the people who become patients in time of illness, is that we are seldom taught things to do for ourselves that could help stop disease before it strikes.
In order to Practice preventive health care, we must educate ourselves about our bodies and learn how to detect potential disease.
A good example of this is the simple, but important breast exam. It should be administered once a month after the menstral period, and continued after the change of life. Early detection of cancer can mean the difference in controlling the disease.
Follow these simple steps:
1. Observe your breasts in a mirror. Lift arms up. Place palms together and press – OBSERVE Push against your hips with your palms – OBSERVE Look for areas of redness, skin drawing back, swelling or scars. If any abnormality is seen, it is wise to see a doctor, though it might represent a perfectly harmless condition.
2. Lie down. Place a towel under the shoulder of the breast being examined. With the opposite hand, using two or three fingers, gently feel the breast. Work in a circular motion around the breast, moving closer to the nipple each time around. When you have felt all parts of your breast, squeeze the nipple to check for any discharge, This too should be checked out by a doctor if it occur occurs.
3. Sit up, place your hand behind your head and repeat the same procedure as in step 2.
4. Examine your entire armpit area, checking for tenderness or a lump or thickening. If you have any unusual symptoms, always see a doctor to be sure of the diagnosis.
And that’s the entire simple procedure. We suggest you clip and save these instructions in order to begin practicing preventive health care with confidence.
Originally published in The Paper, Summer 1974.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1974_06.pdf, printed page(s) 3.
