Self Breast Exam
This is where I’m going to say “Go Ahead, Touch ‘Em!” There’s no need to be embarrassed. A self breast exam could save your life. The American Cancer Society recommends that women should start conducting self breast exams in their 20’s. You should perform your breast exam EVERY MONTH, several days to 1 week after your period has started. For women who no longer have a period, you should conduct your self breast exam every month on the same day.
No one is going to know your breasts better than you do! “Know Your Boobs!!!” By checking your breasts every month, you will be able to tell if anything has changed. And it is very important that you do your breast exam at the same time in your menstrual cycle, or if you aren’t having a period, on the same day each month. Your breasts may have differences, feel swollen or tender at certain times during the month because of normal hormone changes / cycles that occur. By checking your breasts on the same day, you should feel the same thing each month. When something feels different – that’s when you need to get to your doctor. And for those of you who may have breast implants, you can also do a breast self exam. You can work with your doctor to understand where the edges of your implants are and what they normally feel like as a reference point.
How to Preform a Breast Self ExamLook1. Start by placing your hands on your hips and pressing down. While looking in the mirror at your breasts, look for a. Changes in the skin (dimpling / redness) b. Changes in the nipple (turned inward / dryness / flakiness) c. Changes in the size or shape
While Standing 2. Raise your left arm, but not all the way over your head (raise it to about shoulder level). Use your right hand to check your armpit for a. Any bumps or lumps b. Areas of tenderness c. Warmth
3. Repeat on the other side Lie on your back* 4. Place your left arm over your head with your hand behind your head. 5. Using an up and down motion, use the pads of your first finger, middle finger ,and ring finger together to feel from the top of your breast, all the way down. Move up and down over the entire breast including under your arm. 6. Repeat this with the other side.
*The American Cancer Society has indicated that checking your breasts while lying down may be easier to detect changes in breasts. Also, by using an up and down technique, more of the breast tissue is actually examined.
Click here for info from the American Cancer Society on how to do a self breast exam. It's important to discuss how your breasts feel with your doctor during your annual check ups. Should you feel something that is not normal or usual, get to your doctor. Most of my reading on screening has said that it is the best practice to preform a breast self exam, have an annual clinical breast exam , and after the age of 40 (or sooner if you are high risk) have an annual mammogram. Using all of the early detection methods improves your chance of finding breast cancer EARLY!! It is a reality that you may find a lump that would be missed by a mammogram. It is a total possibility that you may find a lump that your doctor may not feel during a clinical breast exam.
Let me say this again... It is entirely possible to have a clear mammogram or clinical breast exam and still have breast cancer!!!Knowing your own boobs is so important. Don't be afraid to check them. Finding breast cancer early means you can start treatment sooner. Chances of surviving early stage breast cancer is nearly 98%.
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