Early diagnosis is essential in breast cancer treatment and therefore adult women of all ages are advised to have a breast self-exam once a month. Doing a self-examination regularly helps you to become familiar with the appearance of your breasts so that you can more easily detect changes. Breast self-examination should be performed in front of a mirror, in the shower and lying down. Read the article to learn how to do it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part 1: In front of a mirror
Step 1. Stand in front of a mirror with no shirt and no bra
Make sure you are in a well-lit place and can clearly see the entire breast area.
Step 2. Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides
Look for these things: changes in the contour of the breasts, unusual swelling, sagging of the skin, or changes in the shape of the nipple.
Step 3. Raise both arms over your head
Look again for changes in the contours of the breasts, swelling, sagging of the skin or changes in the shape of the nipple.
Step 4. Return your arms to your sides
Press your palms firmly on your hips to flex your pectoral muscles. Look for sagging, puckering or other unusual changes in the appearance of the breasts.
Step 5. Report any changes to your doctor
Report any visual changes you notice so that your doctor can perform an appropriate examination.
Method 2 of 3: Part 2: In the shower
Step 1. Raise your right arm over your head and use your left hand to examine your right breast
Use the fingertips to feel around the entire breast area with circular movements. Feel for any hard cysts, lumps, or lumps.
The breast tissue extends from the nipple to the armpit. Be sure to examine the entire breast area, including the armpits and sides of the breast
Step 2. Put your arm behind and repeat the examination on the left breast
Move your fingers again in circular motions and feel cysts, nodules and swellings.
Step 3. Report any changes to your doctor
If you feel an unusual cyst or lump in your breast, then tell your doctor right away so he can perform an appropriate examination.
Method 3 of 3: Part Three: Lie down
Step 1. Lie flat on your back with a pillow or towel under your right shoulder
Put your right arm behind your head.
Step 2. Use your left hand to gently feel the entire breast area with a small circular motion
Make sure you feel the sides of the breasts and also the right armpit area. Feel for any cysts, swellings, or lumps.
Apply light, medium and strong pressure
Step 3. Squeeze the nipple gently with your left hand
Look for any secretions or cysts present in the nipple.
Step 4. Repeat the examination on the left breast
Use small circular motions again to examine the left breast for any cysts, lumps, lumps or secretions
Step 5. Report any changes to your doctor
If you find any cysts, swellings, lumps or secretions, then make an appointment with your doctor immediately so that he can perform an appropriate examination.
Warnings
- Breast self-examination alone is not sufficient to accurately detect breast cancer and should be associated with regular mammography screening. Remember that mammograms can detect breast cancer even before a visible cyst can be felt or seen.
- The risk of breast cancer in women increases with age. Women over the age of 50 have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than women under the age of 50.
- The risk of developing breast cancer is higher for women who have had a family history of breast cancer. Having a first degree relative (mother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer practically doubles a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.
- Breast cancer also affects men and so they should also be self-screened. However, breast cancer is 100 times more common in women.
