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Touch Yourself

A Breast Cancer Self-Check

You can help keep Chrissy Amphlet's dream alive by spreading her message: Touch Yourself: A Breast Cancer Message

'I Touch Myself' was the Divinyls' biggest hit and touched millions of fans around the globe. Released in December 1990, the single was No. 1 on the charts at home and reached the Top 5 in the US. It is a song that celebrates female sexuality like no other. Like Chrissy, it is bold, brave, and brassy. It rocked our world. And when Chrissy developed breast cancer, it was a song she wanted to become an anthem for spreading awareness about the importance of touching ourselves for early detection of the disease.

As a tribute, Chrissy's family and friends, her husband Charley Drayton, fellow songwriters, Cancer Council NSW and supporters from around the globe have come together to make sure Chrissy's legacy lives on to remind women to be in touch with their bodies, and if something's not right, see their doctor. 

Ten of Australia's greatest singers: Connie Mitchell; Deborah Conway; Kate Cerberano; Katie Noonan; Little Pattie; Megan Washington; Olivia Newton-John; Sarah Blasko; Sarah McLeod; and Suze DeMarchi have come together to make Chrissy's final wish a reality. 

 

You can help keep Chrissy's dream alive by spreading her message. Visit http://itouchmyself.org and help support the #itouchmyselfproject 


I TOUCH MYSELF (Chrissy Amphlett / Mark McEntee / Billy Steinberg / Tom Kelly)

5 Step Self Check Breast Exam

Step 1:

Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

 

Here's what you should look for:

  • Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color

  • Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling.

    If you see any of the following, see changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:

  • Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin

  • A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)

  • Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

 

Step 2:

Now, 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:

Next, 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 the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers 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.

 

Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage.


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. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step 4.

Consult with your Doctor if you want further investigation. Request referrals for scans, request referrals for ultrasounds, request referrals for mammograms and even request referrals for a biopsy. 

Don't stop until you are happy with the investigation and the results. 

Some useful Resources:
Breast Cancer Network Australia
Cancer Council Australia

Look after yourselves ladies.

 

Much love and gumption,

 

 

 

 

 

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