The Importance of Breast Self-Exams and How to do Them
May 13, 2020
248 viewsAnyone can get breast cancer. Men and women. Young and old. So, every adult should be examining their breasts - every month. It could save your life.
There’s no way to prevent breast cancer. However, there are steps you can take to detect breast cancer early when it’s most treatable. One of these steps is to perform a breast cancer check each month. Learning how to check for breast cancer properly is important. Approximately 40% of breast cancers are found by women who perform a self-exam and discover a lump. Early detection and a follow up with your doctor can enable you to get started on treatment sooner if cancer is present.
Begin by simply looking in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. You are looking for:
Change in the size, shape, and color of your breasts
Evenly shaped breasts without visible swelling or distortion
If you see any of the following changes, they should be brought to your doctor’s attention:
Dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin
If your nipple has changed position or has become inverted
Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling
Next, you want to raise your arms and look for the same characteristics as in step 1. While you are at the mirror, look for any possible signs of fluid coming from one or both of your nipples. This could include a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or even possibly blood.
For the next, step you will want to be laying down.
Using your right hand, feel your left breast and the repeat on the other side using your left hand to feel your right breast
Use a firm, smooth touch with the tips of your fingers, use small circular motions, keeping the fingers flat and together
You will do to this until you have covered your entire breast including:
Top to bottom, from your collar bone to the top of your abdomen
Side to side, from your underarm to your breastbone
Finally, you will want to feel your breasts while standing. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand motions as in the previous step. Using a firm, smooth touch with the tips of your fingers in small circular motions.
Breast Self-Exam Tips
Make it Routine
The more you perform your self-exams, the easier they will be for you to tell if something has changed. Try performing an exam once a month to get familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel. It’s recommended you do this a few days after your period when your breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender.Get to Know Your Breasts
There are several different “areas” of your breasts. The upper and outer area (which is near your underarm) tend to have the most prominent lumps and bumps. Different parts of your breasts have different textures and densities. Getting know what they feel like will help you determine when something feels different.Start a Journal
Keeping notes about your exams will give you a reference to past self-exams. This may help you determine when you first noticed some irregularities. If started early, you can determine what is “normal” for your breasts.Don’t Panic
Some women can have naturally lumpy breasts, which is considered having fibrocystic breasts. It is when these lumps become hard and no longer move is when they become alarming. If you are performing an exam and you feel an abnormal lump, contact your doctor right away to schedule an exam.Talk to Your Doctor
If you are performing your self-exam and notice a change in breast tissue or something stands out that causes concern or persists for several weeks, talk to your doctor. In most cases, only changes that persist for more than one full menstrual cycle or seem to grow or become more prominent will need your doctor’s attention.
Performing Your Breast Self-Exam
There are currently over 3 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone. Breast cancer does not have to be the reason you lose a mother, grandmother, sister or friend. Early detection is key. Here the steps you can take to perform your breast self-exams.
Your Breast Health and Sydney Breast Associates
We believe every women should regularly take measures to care for their body. Sydney Breast Associates offers on-site screening through mammography and breast ultrasounds including clinical breast exams for women in their 20s and 30s. After the age of 40, all women should undergo an annual mammogram for a more thorough screening for possible cancer. If you need to schedule your yearly mammogram, please contact our office and they will help you schedule your next appointment. source: greenvilleob.comCategories:Health & MedicineHealth Informatics