Tips on puberty

Breast cancer is rare in teen aged girls but it is important to get used to checking your breasts for lumps and irregularities as soon as you start having your period. It is normal to feel lumps in your breasts when they are developing but they will disappear. You still have to check for lumps as you grow older especially if you have a family history of breast cancer.

Know About Your Breasts —Breasts are organs whose primary function is to produce milk for the infant and baby. They are made up mainly of fat and breast tissue, mixed with nerves, blood vessels, lymph vessels and lymph nodes, muscle tissue, and connective tissue.

Bra! It is not neccesary to wear a bra as your breasts develop as long as you are comfortable. The breasts are naturally supported by ligaments and muscles, but wearing a bra can give extra support and a definite shape. They can also protect the breasts from injury.

During puberty breasts can develop rapidly causing discomfort, sensitivity and even stretch marks.

On average, boys begin going through puberty a little later than girls, usually around age 11 or 12.

Tanner stage: The process of physical change in girls at puberty is different from each person. A British doctor called Tanner proposed a scale, to describe the onset and progression of pubertal changes. The stages are called Tanner Stages. Girls are rated on a 5 point stage, for breast development and pubic hair growth.

What’s good to eat?
Your body is fast developing and it needs the fuel to do so. A well-balanced diet is great at this time. (click here to see an example of foods to eat) And include lots of fresh fruit and veggies and plenty of water. Exercise! If you don’t enjoy sport, try dancing with friends. Choose something active that you enjoy - that way you’ll keep doing it. Get a good bath after exercising.