Many women do not get breast health information that they can understand. Women with intellectual disabilities have not usually
been included in outreach efforts as members of an underserved population. This
booklet was designed to present breast health information in easy-to-read language and a readable format.
We hope that this breast health information will be helpful for women with intellectual disabilities and other women with
low literacy skills.
Table of contents
Taking care of your breasts is key to taking care of your body.
- Know your risk or chance of getting breast cancer. If you or someone in your family has had breast cancer, tell your doctor.
- Get screened. Ask your doctor when it is time to have a mammogram and a clinical breast exam.
- Know what is normal for your breasts. Call your doctor if you notice any breast changes.
- Live a healthy lifestyle.
Why is Breast Care Important?
Sometimes cells inside your breast can grow too fast. This can cause changes, which might be breast cancer. Breast cancer can be treated. So finding breast changes early is important.
Follow These 4 Steps
- Learn about your risk for breast cancer.
- Get screened.
- Know what is normal for your breasts.
- Live a healthy lifestyle.
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Talk with your family
Talk with your family, staff, or guardian to learn who in your family has had breast cancer. Has anyone listed below had breast cancer?
- Mother
- Father
- Grandmother
- Grandfather
- Sister
- Brother
- Aunt
- Uncle
If you have had breast cancer or other cancers in the past, this may affect your chance of getting breast cancer.
Talk to your doctor
Talk to your doctor about your family history of breast cancer or other cancers.
Learn what you can do to lower your chance of getting breast cancer.
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Screening is the word used for the tests that the doctor orders to check for cancer. The 2 screenings
for breast cancer that you should get are:
- A Mammogram
- A Clinical Breast Exam
Get a Mammogram
What is a mammogram?
- It is a picture or x-ray of the inside of your breasts.
- A mammogram can find a lump that is too small to feel.
When do you get a mammogram?
- When you are 40 years old or older, one time every year.
- Sometimes you may need a mammogram before age 40.
How do you get a mammogram?
- Your doctor’s office may schedule this appointment for you.
- Make sure to speak up and ask your doctor or someone you trust to help you make an appointment.
What happens at the mammogram?
- X-ray staff will place one of your breasts between two surfaces on an X-ray machine.
- The machine will press your breast to take an X-ray.
- Then the X-ray staff will repeat this step on your other breast.
- It is normal for this to hurt a little, but it does not last long.
- You can bring a trusted friend or family member for support.
Get your mammogram every year
Get a Clinical Breast Exam
What is a clinical breast exam?
- Your doctor checks your breasts at your medical checkup each year.
- In the exam room, you will take off your shirt and bra and put on a gown.
- You will lie down on the exam table.
- Your doctor will press your breasts and under your arms to check for any breast changes such as lumps.
- This exam should not hurt.
- You can ask for a female nurse to be in the room during the exam.
- You can bring a trusted friend or family member for support.
Why do you need to have a clinical breast exam?
-
This exam can help to find breast cancer or other breast changes early.
When do you need to start getting a clinical breast exam?
- When you are 20-39 years old, your doctor should check your breasts every one to three years.
- When you are 40 years old and older, your doctor should check your breasts each year.
What if your doctor does not do a clinical breast exam?
- Speak up. Tell your doctor about the breast care steps.
- Ask for a breast exam.
- If your doctor refuses, find a new doctor that will do this for you.
Always get your yearly medical checkup
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Get to know how your breasts look and feel. A breast self-exam is the way you get to know how your breasts look and feel.
What is a Breast Self-Exam?
- It is when you feel and look at your breasts at home in a private place.
- By doing this exam, you get to know how your breasts usually look and feel so that you can see or feel any changes right away.
What You Are Checking When You Do a Breast Self-Exam
You are trying to find any CHANGE in the way your breasts normally look or feel.
- A change in the shape or size of your breasts
- Change in color of the skin
- Liquid coming out of the nipple that starts all of a sudden
- Skin sinking into the breast, called a dimple or dent
- A rash
- A lump or hard knot that can be big or little
- Swelling of the breast
- A sore or itch on the nipple
- Nipple changes, such as turning in
- A warm spot
- A new pain in one spot that does not go away
If You Feel or See Any Change, Don’t Ignore It
- Call your doctor or ask someone to help you call your doctor right away. Don’t put if off.
- Remember that most breast changes are NOT bad or cancer.
Get Ready
- Go to a private place, like your bedroom.
- Take off your shirt and bra.
Feel Your Breasts for Changes
- Lie down on your back. Place you right hand under your head.
- Use the pads or tips of your three middle fingers on your left hand to check your right breast.
- Press down in little circles in one spot on your breast. Press with light, medium and firm pressure.
- Keep pressing your breast in an up and down pattern like in the picture.
- Make sure you press the whole breast area – from under your arm to the breastbone, and from above your collarbone to the bra line like in the picture.
- Now you have finished feeling your right breast.
- Next, check your left breast with your right hand, doing the same steps.
- Now you have finished feeling both your breasts.
If you are more comfortable, you can check your breasts when you bathe or shower. Use soapy hands to help your fingers move easier over your breasts.
Now Look at Your Breasts in the Mirror
Look for any changes of your breasts.
Look at your breasts in these ways.
- Put your arms by your side.
- Next, raise your arms over your head.
- Next, place your hands on your hips.
- Then, bend forward with your hands on your hips.
Tell your doctor about any changes
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Healthy Choices
Some healthy choices may help you lower your chance of getting breast cancer. These ideas can help you be healthier!
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Eat healthy.
- Get physical activity every day.
- Don’t drink too much alcohol.
For overall good health, don’t smoke. Do things that make you happy.
Take care of yourself
Version 1: form as a more visual, accessible HTML form
Version 2: form as a list of questions
Mammogram questions
When was your last mammogram?
What month?
What year?
If you have never had one, talk with your doctor soon and schedule one.
When should you have your next mammogram?
What month?
What year?
Where is the mammography office?
What is the office number?
Clinical breast exam questions
When was your last clinical breast exam?
What month?
What year?
If you have never had one, talk with your doctor soon and schedule one.
When should you have your next clinical breast exam?
What month?
What year?
What is the doctor's name?
What is his/her number?
Version 3: form as it was in the pamphlet
1. When was your last mammogram?
Month: ________ Year: ________
[ ] Never. [Talk to your doctor.]
When should you have your next mammogram?
Month: ________ Year: ________
Mammography office: _____________________________
Phone number: _________________________________
2. When was your last clinical breast exam?
Month: ________ Year: ________
[ ] Never. [Talk to your doctor.]
When should you have your next clinical breast exam?
Month: ________ Year: ________
Doctor’s Name: _________________________________
Phone number: _________________________________
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This project was possible with the financial grant support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
1.800.462.9273
http://www.komen.org
Our promise: To save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.
Sincere thanks to all who contributed to the success of this project:
- Women with intellectual disabilites for helping with the design of this brochure
- Family and staff for supporting the women’s participation in community meetings
- Panera Bread for providing dinner at numerous community focus groups
- The Arc of NC and the Arc of Durham County for assisting with focus groups
- Gina Harrison for graphic design of this booklet.
NC Office on Disability and Health (NCODH)
FPG Child Development Institute
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
1.919.966.0871 (voice) 1.919.843.3811 (TTY)
http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~ncodh
Suggested citation: NCODH. (2009). Breast health care: Easy to read, easy to understand. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina, FPG, NCODH.
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