Self Breast Examination

Your Risk Report | Breast Cancer

Do You Know That Breast Cancer Is Curable If Detected Early?

Do breast self-examination (BSE) once a month to become familiar with the usual appearance and feel of your breasts. Familiarity makes it easier to notice any changes in your breast from one month to another. Early discovery of a change from what is "normal" is the main ideas behind BSE. If you still have periods (Menstruate), the best time to do BSE is 2 or 3 days after your period ends. This when your breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen. If you no longer have periods, pick a day - such as the first day of the month - to remind yourself it is time to BSE.

5 Points to be Remember for Your Health

Know what is normal for you
Know what changes to look for
Look and Feel
Report any changes – and visit your doctor immediately
Attend routine breast screening if you are aged 50 or over.

Breast Self-Examination (BSE)
Step 1
Stand before a mirror. Check both breasts for anything unusual. Look for a discharge from the nipples, puckering, dimpling or scaling of the skin.
The next two steps are done to check for any change in the shape or contour of your breasts. As you do them, you should be able to feel your chest muscles tighten.Self Breast Examination
Step 2
Watching closely in the mirror, clasp your hands behind your head and press your hands forward.Self Breast Examination
Step 3
Next, press your hands firmly on your hips and bow slightly towards the mirror as you pull your shoulders and elbows forward. Some women do the next part of the exam in the shower. Your fingers will glide easily over soapy skin, so you can concentrate on feeling for changes inside the breast.Self Breast Examination
Step 4
Raise your left arm. Use three or four fingers of your right hand to feel your left breast firmly, carefully, and thoroughly, Beginning at the outer edge, press the flat part of your fingers in small circles, moving the circles slowly around the breast. Gradually work towards the nipple. Be sure to cover the whole breast. Pay special attention to the area between the breast and the underarm area itself. Feel for any unusual lump or mass under the skin.Self Breast Examination
Step 5
Gently squeeze the nipple and look for a discharge. (If you have any discharge during the month - whether or not it is during BSE - see your doctor.) Repeat the exam on your right breast.
  1. Self Breast ExaminationSteps 4 and 5 should be repeated lying down. Lie flat on your back, with your left arm over your head and a pillow or folded towel under your left shoulder. This position flattens the breast and makes it easier to check it. Use the same circular motion described above. Repeat on your right breast.

Genesis of Breast Cancer

It is difficult to explain why one woman gets Breast Cancer and another doesn't. It is clear however that Breast Cancer is not contagious. It is not caused by bumping, bruising or touching the breast. Although it is not known exactly why Breast Cancer develops, however few "Risk Factors" have been identified:

  1. Age : About 75% of all Breast Cancers are found in Women over the age of 50. The disease is uncommon under the age of 30. It is quite rare under the age of 20.
  2. Family History : The risk of getting Breast Cancer doubles for a woman whose mother or sister has had the disease.
  3. Other Risk Factors Include:
    • First child birth after years.
    • Childless married woman.
    • Spinster.
    • First menstrual period at an early age / late menopause.
Warning Signs of Breast Cancer
  • A lump or thickening in breast.
  • A change in size or shape of the breast.
  • Discharge from the nipple.
  • A change in color or feel of the skin of the breast (Dimpling, Puckering etc.)
 

Pain Is Usually Not An Early Warning Sign of Breast Cancer

Early Diagnosis is very important because Breast Cancer can be treated best before it has spread.

Guidelines for Early Breast Cancer Detection
  1. Self Examination once a month after 20 years.
  2. Clinical examination by family physician once a year.
  3. X-Ray Mammography:
  4. A change in co lour or feel of the skin of the breast (Dimpling, Puckering etc.)
    • Base line at the age of 35 years.
    • Once in two years after 40 years. Once in a year in "High Risk Woman" (i.e. spinster, childless married woman, first child birth after 30 years, family history of breast cancer, obese woman.)
    • Once in a year after 50 years.

Breast Cancer