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Examining Your Breasts
Why You Should Examine Your Breasts Monthly.
Most breast cancers are first discovered by women themselves. Since breast cancers found early and treated promptly have excellent chances for cure, learning how to examine your breasts properly can help save your life. Use the simple 3-step breast self-examination
(BSE) procedure shown here.
For the Best Time to Examine Your Breasts:
Follow the same procedure once a month about a week after your period, when breasts are usually not tender or
swollen. After menopause, check breasts on the first day of each month. After
hysterectomy, check with your doctor or clinic for an appropriate time of the
month. Doing BSE will give you monthly peace of mind. And have a physician examine your breasts every 3 years from age 20 to 39, and every year after 40.
Why You Should Have Mammography.
Mammography, a low-dose breast X-ray, can find cancers too small to be felt by
hand. It is an important way to help protect yourself against breast cancer. Have a mammogram every year after age 40.
What You Should Do If You Find a Lump or Thickening...
If a lump or dimple or discharge is discovered during your self breast exam, it is important to see your doctor as soon as
possible. Don't be frightened. Most breast lumps are not cancer, but only your doctor can make the
diagnosis.
A Simple 3-Step Procedure that Could Save Your Life
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| #1 In the Shower |
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Examine your breasts during bath or shower because your fingers glide easier over wet
skin. |
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 | Fingers flat, move gently over every part of the breast. |
| Check for any lump, hard knot or thickening. |
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| #2 Before a Mirror |
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| Inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. |
| Next, raise your arms high overhead and look for any changes in contour of each
breast, a swelling, dimpling of skin, or changes in the nipple. |
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| Then, rest palms on hips and press down firmly to flex your chest
muscles. Left and right breast will not match exactly - few women's breasts do. |
| Regular inspection shows what is normal for you and will give you confidence in your
examination. |
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| #3 Lying Down |
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To examine your right breast, put a pillow or folded towel under your right
shoulder. Place your right hand behind your head - this distributes breast tissue more evenly on the
chest. |
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| With your left hand, fingers flat, press gently in small circular motions around an imaginary clock face. |
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| Begin at outermost top of your right breast for 12 o'clock, then move to 1
o'clock, and so on around the circle back to 12. A ridge of firm tissue in the lower curve of each breast is
normal. |
| Then move in an inch, toward the nipple, keep circling to examine every part of your breast including
nipple. This requires at least three more circles. |
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| Now slowly repeat the procedure on your left breast with a pillow under your left shoulder and left hand behind head. Notice how your breast structure
feels. |
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| Finally, squeeze the nipple of each breast gently between thumb and index finger. Any
discharge, clear or bloody, should be reported to your doctor immediately.
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