Stay A “Breast”
Annual exams have always been at the top of my list, even while in college. I know going to the doctor isn’t everyone’s favorite pastime for obvious reasons. The dreaded cold stirrups and exam room, the diagrams of body parts on the wall, and that “fashionable” paper gown that left you exposed, does not necessarily remind you of a trip to the spa. I can recall the times I brought an extra pair of socks in my purse just to relieve the discomfort of the cold stirrups. Even after stirrup covers were introduced I would still bring socks because every office felt like thirty-two degrees below freezing. Despite, the uncomfortable aspects of the visit I actually grew to enjoy them. My fascination with the female anatomy and women’s health grew with each visit. Fast forward to my early twenties, when I began my work in the medical field as a medical assistant.
For a woman’s annual exam there can be quite a bit that takes place. Of course with most doctors’ visits you have to step on the scale, which can make us regretful or thankful, depending on the number. For me, I was always reminded of the five to eight pounds I gained within the previous year. Then the pap smear; the speculum, the jelly, need I say more?? Then on to the breast exam; the cold fingers, the circular and vertical breast palpations and the not-so-gentle presses followed by the all time favorite nipple squeeze. Thankfully a report of normalcy: no suspicious lumps or bumps. I would think to myself I can relax for a whole year. Year after year, I was in the clear. To ensure that I remained in the clear I never missed an annual appointment and I always performed self-exams at home.
During one of my at-home self-breast exams, I noticed a ‘beady’ type of feeling, similar to the beads in bean bags. I was not too alarmed by this new feeling because I didn’t feel a lump however, it did make me nervous. At my next doctor’s appointment, I mentioned it to my physician and was checked. After my doctor examined both breasts I was told I had fibrocystic breast disease. I was told this disease of the breast is common among some women and to continue to do self-exams at home to make sure there are no changes. So I followed the doctor’s orders and did just that. At the time, I was about 19 or 20 years old. I had other things on my mind so I wasn’t bothered by the lack of detailed explanation of what fibrocystic breast disease was. I assumed that was the way it was, and I would just live with it.
One day while completing another at-home exam I felt a tender spot in my left breast accompanied with a clustered feeling of breast tissue. The fibrocystic tissue had clumped together. At that point I did not want to touch myself anymore. I was FRIGHTENED! Luckily, I was working at an OB/GYN office for my medical assisting externship and could easily have one of the practitioners examine me. According to the practitioner, everything was fine. These were just “normal” changes associated with fibrocystic breast disease. However, this time I was advised to not wear extremely constrictive bras.
During my tenure in medical assisting school, I had to present a research topic selected by my instructor. Can you guess what my topic was…Yes! You got it…fibrocystic breast disease. Thank God I had this assignment because it was during this research moment that I gained true understanding of what this disease was, and what to do to get rid of it. In fact, it’s not even a disease.
The two ways of treatment that were most effective for me was to stop the consumption of caffeine and to no longer wear a bra. That’s right, every woman’s dream! I stopped wearing bras for a very long time. Well, let me be more specific, I started wearing tanks with built-in bras, low impact sports bras, and sometimes no bra at all.
For some women going without a bra is not realistic however, wearing a tank with a built-in bra can be. The goal is to lessen the amount of time the breasts are constricted or not allow any constriction at all. Additionally, natural supplements such as Evening Primrose Oil, Diindolylmethane(DIM), Vitamin E, and Iodine have been helpful for me. After implementing these lifestyle changes it took about three months for the fibrocystic changes to resolve. Even though I found relief, I still continue these practices.
Having worked in the medical field as a medical assistant for now seventeen years; with thirteen of these years in the holistic field, I have learned plenty and seen a great deal of unnecessary loss. To be honest, prevention is key. We have to do all that we can to not just stay healthy but to be at our optimal health. I encourage all women to do your self-breast exams monthly, get annual exams regularly, get mammograms when it is time, and have routine follow-ups with your doctor. These preventative practices will not only benefit your physical health but give you a peace of mind.