BreastSelf-exam

Women aged 20 and over may benefit from performing monthly breast self-exams. Women should discuss the benefits and limitations of these regular exams with their physicians.

About Breast Self-Exams

Breast self-examination (BSE) is a technique to check your breasts and underarms for any possible changes that might indicate breast cancer. Along with clinical breast examinations and mammograms, BSEs are part of the main screening tools for breast cancer. SEs should be done monthly so you become familiar with your breasts. By knowing your breasts, you will be better able to spot changes in texture, including lumps, and bring them to your doctor’s attention more quickly. To perform a BSE, begin with the right breast.

1. Lie down and place your right arm behind your head.

2. Using the finger pads of your index, middle and ring fingers of the opposite hand, make tiny circular motions over the entire breast area, while applying light, medium and firm pressure. These dime-sized circular motions should overlap so that no area is missed.

3. Repeat the process on the left breast using your right hand (and placing the left arm behind the neck or back).

4. Then each underarm should be checked for lumps. This part of the exam can be done while sitting or standing. Each arm should be raised only slightly so that the tissue is not tightened.

Tell your doctor of any unusual changes such as a lump in the breast or underarm area or irregular thickening of breast tissue. While these instructions can be a guide, you should get proper BSE instructions from a nurse, doctor or other trained healthcare professional.

Experts disagree on when you should perform monthly breast exams. Many believe that there is an advantage to performing the BSE at the same time each month, usually five to seven days after menstruation. Other experts believe that there are distinct advantages to checking the breasts at different times of the month so that a woman becomes familiar with how her breasts feel at all times. Talk with your doctor about the timing of breast self-exams.

Why Breast Self-Exams are Important

Although breast self-examinations are not intended to replace clinical breast exams or mammograms, they can help detect breast cancers when they are at their earliest stages. The earlier breast cancer is found the greater the chances for successful treatment.