Signs and Ting
If you feel a lump in your breast that feels harder than a day-old festival, this is what you should do immediately
What is "go see a doctor and stop watch it"?
Having a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer does this to your own risk.
What is "increases it"? (It's a family affair, but not the fun kind like a nine-night.)
The name for the special x-ray of the breast that can find lumps long before you can feel them.
Double Jeopardy!
What is a mammogram? (Not a "mammy-gram" you send your mother on her birthday.
True or False: Wearing an underwire bra, especially a tight one, can give you breast cancer.
What is False? (Let the girls be free, but the bra is not the enemy.)
This treatment uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells, similar to how the sun "bun up" your good shirt you left on the line.
What is radiation therapy?
This fruit's skin is sometimes used to describe the dimpling or puckering of the breast skin, a possible sign of breast cancer.
What is an orange peel? (Not a june plum, not a guinep!)
This popular Jamaican pastime, involving rum or Dragon Stout, can increase your risk if you overdo it.
What is drinking alcohol?
The best time for a woman who still has her period to do her monthly breast self-exam.
What is a few days after her period ends? (When things are less lumpy and bumpy.)
This common household product, when used on your underarms, is NOT a cause of breast cancer.
What is deodorant or antiperspirant?
A powerful medicine that travels through the whole body to kill cancer cells, but can also make your hair fall out.
What is chemotherapy? (Or as granny might say, "the poison that cures you.")
If your nipple suddenly decides it wants to be shy and starts pointing inwards instead of outwards, this is called nipple...
What is retraction or inversion? (It's not playing hide-and-seek.)
The older you get, the more your risk for breast cancer does this, like the price of salt fish.
What is "goes up"?
When doing a self-exam, you should use the pads of these three fingers to feel for lumps.
Double Jeopardy!
What are your index, middle, and ring fingers? (Save the thumb for scrolling through Instagram.)
True or False: If you get a bruise on your breast, it can turn into cancer.
What is False? (A bruise is a bruise, not a ticking time bomb.)
This type of surgery removes the entire breast.
What is a mastectomy?
This type of discharge from the nipple, especially if it's bloody and comes from one side, is a reason to "mek haste" to the clinic.
What is bloody or clear discharge? (If it looks like passion fruit juice, still go check it out!)
Being significantly overweight, especially after menopause, is a major risk factor. This is often described in Jamaica as being...
What is "fluffy" or "full-figured"? (But seriously, it's a risk.)
This is what doctors call it when they check your breasts during a physical exam.
What is a Clinical Breast Exam? (It's the only time a stranger is allowed to feel up yuh business.)
True or False. Only women can get breast cancer.
What is False? (Men have breasts too! Tell Uncle, brother and husbands to check himself.)
A surgery that removes only the cancerous lump and a little bit of tissue around it, "like digging out the bad part of a yam.
Double Jeopardy!
What is a lumpectomy?
A change in the size or shape of one breast that has nothing to do with which side you sleep on.
What is asymmetry or swelling?
rue or False: A "buxum" woman has a higher risk than a woman who is "mawga."
What is False? Breast size doesn't determine risk.
Women should typically start getting regular mammograms at this age, even if they feel perfectly fine.
What is age 40?
Some people believe cancer is a "siddung" too long business or a badmind neighbour. The real cause is...
What is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells? (Science, not obeah!)
While soursop leaf tea and guinea hen weed are popular in Jamaica, this is the only proven source of effective cancer treatment.
What is a medical doctor or oncologist? (Drink the tea, but PRAY and SEE the doctor first!)