Tag Archives: breast cancer screenings

What Breast Cancer Symptoms to Watch for | Fullerton, CA

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among American women, affecting around 268,600 women and men each year. Breast cancer does not discriminate; it affects people of all ages and races. One of the first steps we can take towards effectively identifying and treating breast cancer is by taking preventive action and being aware of the symptoms that come along with this terrible disease. The following list includes breast cancer symptoms that we should all be aware of:

The way the breast or nipple feels

  • Nipple tenderness, lump or thickening in or near your breast or underarm area
  • Change in the texture of your skin or enlargement of the pores of your breasts
  • A lump in your breast (even if it’s small make sure to see professional for a screening)

Breast or nipple appearance

  • Any unexplained change in size or shape of your breast
  • Dimpling anywhere on your breast
  • Unexplained swelling of your breast
  • Unexplained shrinkage of your breast
  • Recent unexplained asymmetry of your breast. It’s common for women to have one breast larger than the other.
  • Your nipple is slightly inward or inverted
  • Skin of your breast, areola, or nipple that becomes red, scaly or swollen or resembles the skin of an orange

Nipple discharge

Particularly if you have clear discharge or bloody discharge

Most times these symptoms are not due to cancer, but if you have any breast cancer symptoms you should be seen by your doctor immediately to be sure you’re healthy and cancer free. Your doctor is the expert and will always be able to check for breast cancer before you have any noticeable symptoms.

If you would like more information about breast cancer symptoms, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Gunn proudly serves Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Checking Your Breasts | Fullerton, CA

Breast cancer awareness isn’t something that should only be once a year because it is something that affects us year-round. And while we love to wear our pink stuff, making sure you are healthy is the best kind of support you can give. We can do this by regularly checking our breasts in between yearly mammogram appointments. Here is a quick breakdown:

Step 1. Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips, looking for unusual size, shape, and color, visible distortion or swelling. Make sure to schedule a doctor’s appointment if you notice anything odd.

Step 2. Raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3. While you’re at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).

Step 4. Feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with using your finger pads, keeping them flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter.

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

Step 5. Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower.

If you find that you may be feeling something strange in any of these areas, make an appointment for a medical exam.

If you would like more information about self breast exams, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Gunn proudly serves Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

Did You Check the Girls this Month? | Fullerton, CA

As we wrap up National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is important that we are aware that the statistics of breast cancer are staggering. 1 in 8 American women will develop breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. Unfortunately, breast cancer does not discriminate; it affects people of all ages and races. In case you aren’t aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, here is a quick breakdown of things to look out for as you give yourself self-examinations:

Change in the way breast or nipple feels

  • Nipple tenderness, lump or thickening in or near your breast or underarm area
  • Change in the texture of your skin or enlargement of the pores of your breasts
  • A lump in your breast (even if it’s small make sure to see professional for a screening)

Change in breast or nipple appearance

  • Any unexplained change in size or shape of your breast
  • Dimpling anywhere on your breast
  • Unexplained swelling of your breast
  • Unexplained shrinkage of your breast
  • Recent unexplained asymmetry of your breast (it’s common for women to have one breast larger than the other)
  • Your nipple is slightly inward or inverted
  • Skin of your breast, areola, or nipple that becomes red, scaly or swollen or resemble the skin of an orange
  • Any nipple discharge
  • Particularly if you have clear discharge or bloody discharge

It is important to know that most times these symptoms are not due to cancer, but it’s important to be seen for regular screenings. Your doctor is always able to check for breast cancer before you have any noticeable symptoms.

If you would like more information on breast cancer, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

October Is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month | Fullerton, CA

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among American women, affecting around 230,000 women each year. Raising breast cancer awareness is extremely important as it does not discriminate; it affects people of all ages and races. One of the first steps we can take towards effectively identifying and treating breast cancer is by taking preventive action and being aware of the symptoms that come along with this terrible disease. The following list includes breast cancer symptoms that we should all be aware of:

  • Nipple tenderness, lump or thickening in or near your breast or underarm area
  • Change in skin texture
  • Lumps
  • Change in breast or nipple appearance
  • Unexplained swelling or shrinkage of your breast
  • Recent unexplained asymmetry
  • Slightly inward or inverted nipple
  • Breast, areola, or nipple becomes red, scaly or swollen
  • Nipple discharge (particularly clear or bloody)

Most times these symptoms are not due to cancer, but if you have any breast cancer symptoms you should be seen by your doctor immediately to be sure you’re healthy and cancer free. Even if you haven’t experienced any symptoms, it’s still incredibly important to be seen for regular screenings. Your doctor is always able to check for breast cancer before you have any noticeable symptoms.

Keeping an eye on any changes in your breasts is a great way to catch any issues that can arise. There is no rhyme or reason cancer appears in patients – make sure you do everything you can to ensure you aren’t at risk. We are all at risk without a cure.

If you would like more information on breast cancer, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211 to schedule an appointment today. Or visit www.gordongunnmd.com for additional information regarding women’s health. 

Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and all surrounding areas.