Breast self exam

Answer 1

Look everyday into the mirror and examine your breasts, see if there are any visible changes, few women's breasts are symmetrical, that is okay, just look for change. The best time for the exam is after your period, less tenderness and/or engorgement, do the exam approx. once a month, learn how they feel so you will notice any changes. Perform the exam in the shower, you will be relaxed and the warm soapy water makes the exam easier. Watch for changes in the skin, such as dimpling. See if there is a nipple discharge, particularly if there is blood

Begin at 12:00 on the breast using the opposite hand, make small circles with your fingers feeling for anything new or different under the skin, start at the nipple and work your way out to the edge of the breast. Next, do the same thing at 1:00, 2:00, etc, all the way around the breast. Then repeat on the opposite breast. Do not forget that the tail of the breast extends into the axilla or armpit, feel under your arm for any lumps, cysts, lymph nodes, etc. If you feel something new, chances are it is a cyst, but make an appointment for after your period to have your doctor check and make sure everything is okay.

Approximately 1:8 women in America will have a diagnosis of Breast Cancer in their lifetime! Early detection is the key to beating this disease!

GET YOU ANNUAL MAMMOGRAM, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR FAMILY HAS A HISTORY OF WOMEN WITH Breast cancer AT A YOUG AGE! ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS BEGINNING AT AGE 40 IF NOT SOONER!

IT IS RARE, BUT YOUNG WOMEN CAN GET BREAST CANCER, BE AN ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF, AN ULTRASOUND CAN TELL IF A MASS IS SOLID OR CYSTIC, NOT ALL MASSES ARE CANCER, BUT ONLY A BIOPSY CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE!

DIGITAL MAMMOGRAMS ARE MORE SENSITIVE AND ARE BETTER AT DETECTING A MASS THAN CONVENTIONAL MAMMOGRAMS, FIND OUT IF YOUR LOCAL HOSPITAL HAS A DIGITAL MACHINE, IF NOT INSIST YOUR DOCTOR SEND TO A PLACE THAT DOES! THIS IS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE TO WOMEN WHO HAVE VERY DENSE BREASTS!

Answer 2

By combining a BSE with a mammography and clinical breast examination, a woman is offered the best opportunity for reducing chances of death from breast cancer through early detection. Close to 90% of breast cancers are found through a BSE.

Answer 3

A how-to on self-examination for breast cancer can be found on self-diagnosis and health websites like WebMD or Mayo Clinic. Free instructions can also be found at your local doctor's surgery or hospital, in the form of free-to-take leaflets, which have helpful diagrams, if you do not want to discuss the situation with a professional there.

Answer 4

You have to palpate all the four quadrants of the breasts. You have to palpate the tail of breasts, which lie in the axila, also. If you do regular examination of the breasts, preferably daily, you become expert than any surgeon. Any minor problem will be located by you that way.

Answer 5

Alternative Names

Self-examination of the breast; BSE

Information

Many women feel that doing a breast self exam is an important part of their health care. It helps them learn how their breasts normally feel, so that if they find a lump they will know whether it is something to discuss with their health care provider.

However, there is controversy about recommending breast self exams. There is no evidence that doing breast self exams saves lives from breast cancer, so if you are not comfortable checking your breasts, don't be concerned.

What is most important is to have routine screening mammograms if your health care provider recommends them. Even getting a yearly exam is controversial, but many women and their health care providers feel that this is still an important part of breast cancer screening.

Talk to your health care provider about whether or not you should do breast self exams. If you do decide to perform breast self exams, be sure to do the exam about 3 - 5 days after your period starts, when your breasts are not as tender or lumpy. If you have gone through menopause, do your exam on the same day every month.

First, lie on your back. Place your right hand behind your head. With the middle fingers of your left hand, gently yet firmly press down using small motions to examine the entire right breast. Then, while sitting or standing, examine your armpit, because breast tissue extends to that area. Gently squeeze the nipple, checking for discharge. Repeat the process on the left breast.

Use one of the patterns shown in the diagram to make sure that you are covering all of the breast tissue. Most women have some lumps, so don't be concerned about figuring out what a lump or abnormal area is. Your goal is to find anything new or different and then see your health care provider for an evaluation.

Although some women find it easiest to do the exam in the shower, when the skin is soft and wet, you are more likely to examine all of the breast tissue if you are lying down.

Next, stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your side. Look at your breasts directly and in the mirror for changes in skin texture (such as dimpling, puckering, indentations, or skin that looks like an orange peel), shape, contour, or the nipple turning inward. Do the same with your arms raised above your head.

Discuss any changes you find right away with your health care provider.

See also:

• Breast lumps
• Fibroadenoma - breast
• Fibrocystic breast disease

References

Smith RA, Cokkinides V, Brawley OW. Cancer screening in the United States, 2008: A review of current American Cancer Society guidelines and cancer screening issues. CA Cancer J Clin.2008;58:161-179.

Answer 6

Definition

A breast self exam is when a woman examines her own breasts for changes or problems.

Many women feel that doing this is important to their health. It helps them learn how their breasts normally feel, so that if they find a lump they will know if they should call their doctor or nurse.

However, there is not agreement among experts about recommending breast self exams. It is not known for sure what role breast self exams play in finding breast cancer or saving lives.

Talk to your health care provider about whether breast self exams are right for you.

Alternative Names

Self-examination of the breast; BSE

Information

If you decide to do breast self exams, make sure you do so about 3 - 5 days after your period starts. Your breasts are not as tender or lumpy during this time of month.

If you have gone through menopause, do your exam on the same day every month.

• First, lie on your back. It is easier to examine all breast tissue if you are lying down.
• Place your right hand behind your head. With the middle fingers of your left hand, gently yet firmly press down using small motions to examine the entire right breast.
• Next, sit or stand. Feel your armpit, because breast tissue goes into that area.
• Gently squeeze the nipple, checking for discharge. Repeat the process on the left breast.
• Use one of the patterns shown in the diagram to make sure that you are covering all of the breast tissue.

Next, stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your side.

• Look at your breasts directly and in the mirror. Look for changes in skin texture, such as dimpling, puckering, indentations, or skin that looks like an orange peel.
• Also note the shape and contour of each breast.
• Check to see if the nipple turns inward.

Do the same with your arms raised above your head.

Most women have some lumps. Your goal is to find anything new or different. If you do, call your health care provider right away.

See also:

• Breast lumps
• Fibroadenoma - breast
• Fibrocystic breast disease

References

Smith RA, Cokkinides V, Brawley OW. Cancer screening in the United States, 2008: A review of current American Cancer Society guidelines and cancer screening issues. CA Cancer J Clin.2008;58:161-179.

Bevers TB, Anderson BO, Bonaccio E, Buys S, Daly MB, Dempsey PJ, et al. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: breast cancer screening and diagnosis. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2009;7:1060-1096.

Screening by Breast Self-Examination National Cancer Institute Breast cancer screening PDQ. Last Modified: 01/28/2011

Reviewed By

Review Date: 10/16/2011

David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery practice specializing in breast cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington.