|
Women should know how their breasts normally look
and feel. Doing regular breast self-exams is the best way
to know this. They also help you to notice any changes
in your breasts. A change can be a sign of a problem. If
you find a change, see your doctors right away.
Most breast changes or lumps are not cancer. But
only a doctor can tell for sure. When breast cancer is
found early, you have more treatment choices and a better chance
of recovery. So it is best to find breast cancer as early
as possible.
Breast self-exams should not take the place of
regular screening mammograms or clinical breast exams, which
are done by a doctor. By doing routine breast self exams
and having routine mammograms and checkups, you can help detect
breast problems early.
ALL women should do the BSE once a month. This
also includes women who:
- Have gone through menopause
- Are pregnant
- Are breastfeeding
- Have breast implants
Women should begin practicing breast self-exam
by age 20, and continue the practice throughout their lives,
even during pregnancy and after menopause.
Breast Self Exam (BSE) should be performed every
month.
- If you still menstruate, the best time to do
a BSE is a few days after your period ends, when your breasts
are not tender or swollen.
- If you have gone through menopause, try to
do the exam on the same day each month. Some women choose
the first day of each month to help them remember.
- If you are taking hormones, talk to your doctors
about when you should perform the BSE.
- Circle
- Begin
at the top of your breast and move your fingers slowly
around the outside in a large circle.
- When
you return to the top, move your hand a little closer
to the nipple and make a smaller circle
- Do
this in smaller and smaller circles until you have examined
all the breast tissue.
- Lines
- Begin
in the underarm area.
- Slowly
move your fingers down until they are below your breast.
- Move
your fingers closer toward your nipple and go slowly
back up, use the same motion.
- Use
this up-and-down pattern all the way across your breast
- Wedge
- Begin
at the outside edge of your breast
- Slowly
work your way in toward the nipple. Doing one wedge-shaped
section at a time.
- Do
this until the entire breast area has been examined.
- Put one hand behind your head
- With finger pads of the three middle fingers
move your hand over the entire breast area.
- Use right hand for left breast, left hand
for right.
- Use one of the three patterns above to examine
your breasts. Choose the pattern and technique your healthcare
professional recommends at your clinical breast exam. Do
it the same way each time
- Check for lumps, knots or thickenings.
- Place a pillow or a towel under your right
shoulder and your right hand behind your head
- Using your left hand, follow the same patterns
above to perform the BSE
- Lower your right arm slightly and with your
left hand, check your right underarm.
- Check for lumps, knots, or thickenings.
- Repeat on the other side, using your right
hand to check left breast and underarm.
- With your hands firmly pressing down on hips,
check for changes in the shape, size or skin texture of your
breasts.
- Then raise your arms overhead and check again.
- Note any skin dimpling, swelling or redness.
- Check for changes in nipples and unusual
discharge.
are
you looking for…
You should report to your healthcare professional immediately
if you find the following changes in your breast(s):
- A
lump
- Skin
irritation
- Dimpling,
puckering, bulging, or ridges of the skin on the breast
- Nipple
retraction (nipple turns in)
- Redness,
warmth, swelling, or pain
- Itchy,
scaly sore or rash on the nipple
- Nipple
discharge other than breast milk
- Change
in color, shape, size or texture of a breast
This BSE information is not intended as a replacement
for medical care. Report any changes or irregularities
to your healthcare professional immediately.
Additional Information:
For ACS BSE Information
For ACS Cancer Early Detection Guideline
For ACOG BSE Information
For BreastCancer.org BSE Information
For WomensHealth.gov BSE Information
[ top ] |
|
|
