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Breast Self-Exam: Why, When and How - Irene Menard Irene Menard lives in Massachusetts, US on the southeast coast, about 20 miles from Cape Cod. She is a registered nurse and has been in health care for 25 years. As yet single, she devotes her free time to crafts and the fine arts. Her other interests include billiards, photography, painting, candle making, needlework and a lot else. Irene loves to travel, but only to places that are remote and off the regular circuits. She finds discovering an area, without all the touristy stuff, quite an adventure.

With all the technology available today to detect cancer, there is none so simple, so non-invasive and so private as the breast-self exam. This very simple procedure has saved countless lives.
        Breast cancer can strike any woman, at any age. A nurse I worked with was only 34 years old when she succumbed, after a 4-year battle with the disease. She was 29 years old and had just delivered her youngest daughter when she first noticed the lump. In her mind, she was too young to have such a dreadful condition. There was no history of breast cancer in her family. Why should she worry? Unfortunately she was wrong. It took her almost a year to seek diagnosis and treatment. There was no history of breast cancer in her family. She was a wonderful woman who is sorely missed by her friends, family and co-workers.
        The breast is made up of lots of lumps and bumps. At your yearly physical exam, your doctor performs the breast exam, but how can he/she know what lumps are normal for you? By becoming familiar with your breasts, which lumps are there now, have any grown? any new lumps?, you are actively participating in your health care. So much in health is beyond our control, this is one test that is within our grasp.
        Not every lump is Cancer. The majority of lumps are nothing but cysts or fatty deposits. Don't be afraid. Tell your doctor if you find one. Early detection has significantly decreased the mortality rate, many woman are daily winning the battle.
        Follow the steps defined below. Take an active part in your health care. Ask your doctor to help you learn how to do the steps properly.
        And above all, pass this on to someone you love.

Things to watch for:

A lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area.
A change in the size or shape of a breast.
A discharge from the nipple.
A change in the color or feel of the skin of the breast, areola or nipple.
A lump or other change felt or seen during monthly Breast Self Exam.

When to Do a Breast Self-Exam

You should do a Breast Self-Exam (BSE) every month 2 or 3 days after your period. Do not do it just before your period as breasts are a bit lumpy during that time. If you do not have regular periods even then just do it the same day every month like the 1st or 5th or 10th day of the month or may be on an important day in your life like your birthday to make it easier to remember. If you are on a hormone therapy please check with your doctor about when to do BSE. You can help each other by reminding your daughter, mother and friends to do BSE regularly.

How to Do Breast Self-Exam

[1] Lie down. Flatten your shoulder on the bed. Place a small pillow under your shoulder. Place your left arm behind your head.

[2] Use the sensitive finger pads where your fingerprints are, not the tips. Use the middle three fingers of your right hand and move in small circular rubbing motion to feel for any lumps. Do not lift fingers while moving them in dime sized circles. You can use powder, oil or lotion can to the breast to help glide your fingers and feel for any changes.

[3] Press firmly enough to feel different breast tissues, using three different pressures. First, light pressure to just move the skin without jostling the tissue beneath, then medium pressure pressing midway into the tissue, and finally deep pressure to probe more deeply down to the ribs or to the point just short of discomfort..

[4] Completely feel all of the breast and chest area up under your armpit, and up to the collarbone and all the way over to your shoulder to cover breast tissue that extends toward the shoulder.

[5] Use the same pattern to feel every part of the breast tissue. Choose the method easiest for you:

Lines: start in the underarm area and move your fingers downward little by little until they are below the breast. Then move your fingers slightly toward the middle, and slowly move back up. Go up and down until you cover the whole area.

Circles: Beginning at the outer edge of your breast, move your fingers slowly around the breast in a circle. Move around the breast in smaller and smaller circles, gradually working toward the nipple. Don't forget to check the underarm and upper chest areas, too.

Wedges: Starting at the outer edge of the breast, move your fingers toward the nipple and back to the edge. Check your whole breast, covering one small wedge-shaped section at a time. Be sure to check the underarm area and the upper chest.

[6] After you have completely examined your right breast, then examine your right breast using the same method and your left hand, with a pillow under your right shoulder.

[7] You may want to examine your breasts or do an extra exam while showering. It's easy to slide soapy hands over your skin, and to feel anything unusual.

[8] You should also check your breasts in a mirror looking for any change in size or contour, dimpling of the skin or spontaneous nipple discharge.

Credits

Information Source: http://www.bcis.org

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