Final answer:
Women should perform a monthly breast self-examination to spot early signs of breast cancer, get to know their normal breast feel and appearance, and increase the chances of favorable outcomes through early detection. Teens are encouraged to start this practice early, even though breast cancer is rare in young women. For older women, mammograms are also recommended alongside self-exams.
Step-by-step explanation:
Importance of Monthly Breast Self-Examination
It is advised for female patients to perform a monthly breast self-examination to detect early signs of breast cancer. This self-exam is recommended even for teens, although breast cancer in this age group is rare, because it is essential to understand what is normal for one's body. The goal is to become familiar with the typical feel and appearance of the breasts so that any changes can be detected early on. Early detection is crucial because the outcome for breast cancer is usually more favorable when treatment begins in the early stages of the disease. Routinely conducting self-exams helps women to recognize subtle changes in their breasts, such as lumps or other abnormalities that may indicate cancer. For older women, in addition to self-exams, routine screening with mammograms is also recommended, particularly for women aged 50 and older, to catch breast cancer early