SEX in Real Life

Sexuality Now

SEX in Real LifeFeminine Hygiene

omen have been brainwashed into thinking that somehow their vaginas and vulvas are bad, dirty, or ugly. One trip down the feminine hygiene aisle will convince you. How do feminine hygiene products affect young women today? What is the impact on us as we age and develop into sexual beings? Do our negative feel­ings about our bodies affect our sexuality? You bet.

The following statements are from actual products that line drugstore shelves. As you read the statements, pay at­tention to your thoughts.

Feminine Cleansing Cloths

"Lets you feel feminine fresh. Anytime, Anywhere. . ." "Perfect for whenever you need to feel confident or refreshed. . ."

"Neutralizes odors, not just covers them up."

"Comes in Shower Fresh, White Blossoms, and Baby Powder scents."

Cleansing Foam

"Fresh, clean scent!"

"Slim design fits in your purse or gym bag. . . so you can feel confidently clean and fresh wherever you go."

Floral Fresh Feminine Wash

"A woman’s special cleansing needs call for. . ."

"Washes away odor to leave you feeling fresh, clean and confident."

"You may want to use it all over!"

"Comes in Country Flowers, Fresh Mountain Breeze, Spring Rain Freshness, and Fresh Baby Powder."

Feminine Deodorant Spray

"Spray it directly on yourself."

"Spray it on your underwear."

"Spray it on your pantyliners."

"Spray it on your pantyhose."

Worldwide, breast cancer rates have been found to correlate with variations in diet, especially fat intake. Even with these variations, however, the specific dietary factors that affect breast cancer have not been established. Breast-feeding, on the other hand, has been found to reduce a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer (Eisinger & Burke, 2002). A woman’s chance of acquiring breast cancer significantly increases as she ages. In fact, 77% of breast cancers appear in women who are 50 years old or older, whereas less than 5% appear in women under the age of 40 (Jemal et al., 2005).

Unfortunately, there is no known method of preventing breast cancer, so it is ex­tremely important to detect it as early as possible. Every woman should regularly perform breast self-examinations (see the accompanying Sex in Real Life, “Breast Self­Examination”), especially after the age of 35. Women should also have their breasts ex­amined during routine gynecological checkups, which is a good time to ask for instruc­tion on self-examination if you have any questions about the technique.

Подпись: mammography A procedure for internal imaging of the breasts to evaluate breast disease or screen for breast cancer. Подпись:Подпись:Another important preventive measure is mammography, which can detect tumors too small to be felt during self-examination. There is some controversy about when a woman should begin going for regular mammography examinations, with some claiming that the research shows no significant benefit in women under 50; others suggesting mammograms every 2 years from age 40; still others recommending regular mammo­grams for women of all ages. The American Cancer Society recommends that a woman begin yearly mammograms every year after the age of 40. However, you should discuss with your healthcare provider whether mammography is appropriate for you, and if so, how often.

All women are at risk for breast cancer, even if they have no family history of the disease. Most commonly, breast cancer is discovered by a postmenopausal woman who discovers a breast lump with no other symptoms. However, breast cancer can also cause breast pain, nipple discharge, changes in nipple shape, and skin dimpling. It should be noted here that the discovery of a lump or mass in your breast does not mean you have cancer; most masses are benign, and many do not even need treatment. If it is malignant

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Подпись: breast self-examination (BSE), along with mammography and a clinical breast exam from a healthcare provider, can help reduce breast cancer in women. Before the age of 40 years old, BSE is most helpful to help a woman become familiar enough with her breasts so that any irregularity will be easily detectable. If a woman does detect a thickening or a lump, however, she should not panic; 80 to 90% of all lumps are noncancerous and can be easily treated. After the age of 40, mammography and clinical breast exams become more useful, although a monthly BSE is still recommended. Because the shape and feel of the breasts change during ovulation and menstruation, it is best to perform a BSE about 1 week after menstruation. BSE should be done at the same time during each cycle. Подпись: glide well over wet or soapy skin. Press the breast against the chest wall with the flat of the hand, testing the surface for warmth, and moving the hand to test mobility. Pay close attention to increased heat or redness of the overlying skin, tenderness, dilated superficial veins, peau d'orange, and retraction (dimpling, asymmetry, decreased mobility). Feel the tissue carefully in all four quadrants of the breast, being sure to include the tissue that extends up toward the armpit, and examine the armpit itself for any lymph node enlargement (see photo). Finally, gently squeeze the nipple inward and upward to see if there is any discharge. Lying Down Finally, lie down and put a folded towel or a pillow under your left shoulder. Placing your left hand behind your head, use your right hand to press firmly in small, circular motions all around the left breast, much as you did in the shower. Imagine a clock: Start at the top of the breast, 12 o'clock; move to 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock, and so on, on the outside rim of the breast; and then move in 1 inch toward the nipple and repeat (see the figure). Make at least three circles, and end on the nipple itself. You will feel the normal structures of the breast beneath your fingers, but look for a distinct lump or hardness. Repeat the entire procedure for your other breast. Finally, squeeze each nipple again gently, looking for any discharge, whether clear or bloody. Any discharge or any other irregularities or lumps should be reported to your healthcare provider without delay.
Подпись: In the Mirror The first step of a BSE is inspection. Look at your breasts in a mirror to learn their natural contours. With arms relaxed, note any elevation of the level of the nipple, dimpling, bulging, or peau d'orange ("orange peel skin," which results from edema, or swelling). Compare the size and shape of the breasts, remembering that one (usually the left) is normally slightly larger. Next, press the hands down firmly on the hips to tense the pectoral muscles, and then raise the arms over the head looking for a shift in relative position of the two nipples. These maneuvers also bring out any dimpling, bulging, or peau d'orange. After doing BSEs over time, any changes will become obvious, which is why it is best to begin BSEs early rather than later in life. In the Shower The shower is a good place to do a breast palpation (pressing)—fingers
Подпись: SOURCE: The American Cancer Society, 2003.

Breast Self-Examination

and left untreated, however, breast cancer usually spreads throughout the body, which is why it is very important that any lump be immediately brought to the attention of your physician or other medical practitioner.

Подпись: radical mastectomy A surgical procedure that involves removal of the breast, its surrounding tissue, the muscles supporting the breast, and underarm lymph nodes. Treatment In the past, women with breast cancer usually had a radical mastectomy. Today, few women need such drastic surgery. More often, a partial or modified mastec­tomy is performed, which leaves many of the underlying muscles and lymph nodes in place (see photo). This procedure, combined with radiation therapy, has similar long­term survival rates as mastectomy (American Cancer Society, 2003). If the breast must

be removed, many women choose to undergo breast reconstruction, in which a new breast is formed from existing skin and fat (see Chapter 14).

Подпись: lumpectomy A modern surgical procedure for breast cancer in which only the tumorous lump and a small amount of surrounding tissue are removed. If the tumor is contained to its site and has not spread, a lumpectomy may be considered. A lumpectomy involves the removal of the tumor, along with some surrounding tissue, but the breast is left intact. Radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy are often used in conjunction with a lumpectomy.

Risk Factors A number of risk factors have been identified for breast can­cer. An early onset of puberty and menarche may increase the chances of de­veloping breast cancer, probably due to prolonged estrogen exposure (Breast Cancer Coalition, 2002). However, newer research claims that obesity, low lev­els of physical activity, and alcohol consumption may have more to do with the development of breast cancer than do early onsets of puberty or menarche (Verkasalo et al., 2001).

Family history also may be a risk factor in breast cancer; however, about 90% of women who develop breast cancer do not have any family history of the disease (Breast Cancer Coalition, 2002). No study has been large enough to reliably show how the risk of breast cancer is influenced by familial patterns of breast cancer. Although women who have a first-degree relative with breast cancer may have an increased risk of the disease, most of these women will never develop breast can­cer (Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, 2001).

Medical researchers are working on targeting abnormal breast tissues that could potentially develop into breast cancer. It is possible that in the future doc­tors will be able to determine a woman’s breast cancer risk from a simple blood test, which in turn will help determine treatment and options prior to any breast cancer formation (American Cancer Society, 2001). Some women who have been found to have a high risk of developing breast cancer choose to undergo prophylactic (preventive) mastectomies before breast cancer can develop (Sakorafas, 2005; D. A. Levine & Gemignani, 2003).

Подпись: ReviewQuestion Identify and explain the risk factors that have been identified for breast cancer. Подпись:Подпись:Early pregnancy (having a first child before the age of 30) seems to have a protec­tive effect against getting breast cancer, though no one understands exactly why. There has also been some controversy over the effect of oral contraceptives on breast cancer rates, with many contradictory studies, some finding an increased risk (Cabaret et al., 2003; Narod et al., 2002), and others finding no increased risk. Although there have been slightly more breast cancers found in women who use oral contraceptives, these cancers have been less advanced and less aggressive (Fraser, 2000). A comprehensive study conducted by the FDA concluded that there is no concrete evidence that the pill causes or influences the development of breast cancer; however, the long-term effects of using oral contraception are not yet certain, and those with a family history of breast cancer might want to use other forms of contraception.

Uterine Cancer

There are different types of cancer that can affect the uterus. The most common forms are cervical and endometrial cancer.

Updated: 05.11.2015 — 11:05