HOW TO DETECT BREAST CANCER
You are the best person to pick up on unusual changes in your breast. That's why it's important to perform breast self-exams (BSE) monthly. The goal of BSE is to become as familiar with your breasts as you are with your face or hands. Look for changes in the size and shape of either breast or any changes in skin color or texture. Differences in the size and shape of your breasts can be a normal variation and often are related to your menstrual cycle. Learn what is normal for you so that you can detect changes in your breasts.
Important changes to look for during a breast self-exam are nipple discharge, scaliness of the skin, puckering or dimpling of the skin or retraction of the nipple. Report any abnormalities to your health care provider immediately.
How To Perform Breast Self-exam
1. Lie down and put a pillow under your right shoulder. Place your right arm behind your head.
2. Use the finger pads of your three middle fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps or thickening in your right breast. (Your finger pads are the top third of each finger.) Move around the breast in a circular motion, covering every inch of your breast tissue. Move up and down the breast vertically at least 10 times.
3. Press firmly enough to know how your breast feels. Learn what your breast feels like most of the time. A firm ridge in the lower curve of the breast is normal.
4. Now use the same method to examine your left breast using the finger pads of your right hand.
5. Stand in front of a mirror. Place your hands on your sides, on your hips and then lift them over your head. Look for changes in the size, shape, color or texture of your breasts. Keep in mind that it is normal for one breast to be slightly larger.
Breast Self Exam artwork reprinted by the permission of the American Cancer Society, Inc.
Tips for Successful Breast Self-exam
1. The best time to perform BSE is right after your period, when your breasts are not tender or swollen. If you do not have regular periods, do BSE on the same day every month.
2. You might want to do BSE while you're in the shower. Your soapy hands will glide over the wet skin, making it easier to check how your breasts feel.
3. Most breast cancers occur in the upper outer area of the breast. Pay close attention to this area when performing BSE.
Please remember that the material presented here is for informational purposes only. If you have specific questions about a medical imaging procedure, contact your physician or the radiology department of the institution where your test will be performed.
