Lemon Test Photo Helps Woman To Detect Breast Cancer

A picture of lemons which depict breast cancer has helped Erin Smith Chieze to do a self-exam and diagnose breast cancer.

Erin Smith Chieze discovered what breast cancer looks like as well as feels like after she saw "Know Your Lemons" picture.

Chieze was diagnosed with stage-four metastatic breast cancer in January 2016.“In December of 2015 when I saw an indentation that looked like one of those pictures, I instantly knew I had breast cancer,” she wrote.

Breast Cancer Screening using Mammogram
Breast cancer if detected early can be completely cured. Mammography is used to screen women for breast cancer.

‘While a lump is the most common sign of breast cancer, some symptoms can be seen rather than felt but a mammogram can detect a lump long before it can be felt.’

The picture, created by Corrine Ellsworth Beaumont of the Worldwide Breast Cancer group, helped her to go for a diagnosis of breast cancer.“I knew all about self-exams, but a picture of what to look for keyed me into knowing I had a terminal disease. Without having seen a picture randomly with real information, I wouldn't have known what to look for.”

“I tried to feel for a tumour, but my tumour was non-palpable. I was diagnosed with breast cancer five days later and with stage-4 the following month. A heart did nothing for awareness. I knew what breast cancer was.”

Dr Dasha Fielder of Sapphire Family Medical Practice in Bondi Junction says that while it’s still important to get regular breast exams by a medical professional, this test does raise awareness about the many forms breast cancer can come in.

Breast Cancer - Causes, Risks, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Staging, Treatment, Prevention & Prognosis
Breast cancer is a cancer that affects the breasts or mammary glands. Early detection and lifestyle changes help in controlling breast cancer.

“Lemons shown on the picture do resemble some of the changes seen, and I think this is a good reminder for women to check their breasts and pick up a change,” she says.

“By no means does that picture replace an appointment with a doctor, however, and equally should not be used as a diagnostic tool.”

Screening for Breast Cancer with Clinical Breast Examination
Clinical breast examination is a simple and inexpensive method of detecting breast cancer especially in women who do not have access to mammography.

“What is important, I think, is for a woman to know what their breast normally looks like and to notice any changes: this can be in the shape of the breast or nipple, symmetry, size, pain or discharge.”

“The message should be that all women must check their breasts every three months and if they notice a change not to wait but to make an appointment with their family doctor for breast examination.”

Breast Cancer - Prevention and Management with Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle choices may or may not cause breast cancer but healthy lifestyle changes can open up avenues beyond breast cancer. Good habits will allow one to fight breast cancer and to live with dignity.

“Sometimes no change in the breast is seen at all, and unless you feel the breast, you will never find a problem, therefore, relying purely on the way the breast looks is not enough.”

Source-Medindia