Study after study shows that American women do not practice breast self examination regularly, although many have tried to and almost all women believe they should. Women who do begin the routine usually discontinue it after a few months. Those who learn the technique from a doctor or other medical personnel are more likely to continue it than those who learn it from another source.

In medical terms, any fluid from the breasts is a discharge. A tiny volume of milky discharge from both breasts is normal. After childbirth, milk can continue to be produced for years. Only a very slight squeezing of the breasts will set it off. The Pill and certain anti depressants can be responsible for breast fluid. Marijuana use has also been implicated. In some cases, it is due to something as simple as chafing of the breasts from clothing.

The auxiliary sweat glands are those under the arm. The tiny ducts which bring the sweat to the surface can get blocked. Any under arm infection takes longer to heal, due to the dampness of the area, and the constant rubbing from arm movements. The infection spreads easily, and it can recur. In persistent cases, there can be an undersikin tunneling and local scarring.

A boil can develop on the breast, just as on any other skin part. The germs of staph bacteria enter through a hair follicle, or a break in the skin. The immune system is activated and sends out white blood cells, which fight the germs and destroy them.

The most common form of breast injury is a bruise. This is hardly surprising. The breasts, like the penis and testicles, are outside the body. They are not protected from injury in the way that the internal organs are. In fact, the breasts are more at risk of external injury than the male genitals because the latter gain some protection from the pelvis and thighs.

Seven percent of baby girls are born with polymastia. This means "many breasts," having one or more extra nipples. The most usual site is directly under one breast, but they can be anywhere in a line down the abdomen. A woman with polymastia has a one in five chance that it will occur in her daughter. Baby boys are also born with this condition, though it is more rare. The reason for polymastia is still a mystery.

According to the National Cancer Institute, a tissue biopsy is the only sure way to detect the presence of cancer cells. To obtain the tissue, the surgeon removes the entire ovary. This may seem drastic, but if cancer is present, cutting through the outer layer will spill out the malignant cells and the disease will quickly spread to other sites.

A hysteroscope is a fiberoptic scope used for viewing the uterus. The scope is on an ultra thin rod which is inserted through the cervix. A fluid or carbon dioxide gas is put in the uterus to stretch it and make viewing easier. This splendid new procedure avoids cuts through the abdomen wall. The side effects are minor; there may be some cramping and bleeding after. Normal activities can be resumed in a few days. If surgery is required for polyps or fibroids, the uterus can be re entered this way. The growths are removed by a sharp instrument, a rescotoscope.

It is a mystery why cells can sometimes detach from the endometrium, find their way to other body parts and attach there. Various theories exist. Perhaps they are bits of menstrual flow which back up through the fallopian tubes and enter the pelvic cavity. Douching may force some fragments out of place. Strong menstrual cramps might do the same. Love making during a period is suspect, as is scarring from previous surgery. They could be scraps of prenatal tissue which develop into endometriosis under the influence of estrogen.

A fibroid is a benign growth (non cancer lump) of gland tissue which develops inside the uterus wall. Average fibroid size is 2 to 21/2 inches in diameter. They are more common, and grow earlier and more quickly in black women; it is not known why. Usually, a fibroid is asymptomatic and is only found at a pelvic exam.