Self examination of breast

A breast self-exam is important to help you notice any unusual lumps or change in appearance of your breasts.

It is advised that women from age 20 begin breast self-exams.

According to the American Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines, a breast self-exam is an important part of general breast health.

Breast Self-Exam

When is the right time to do a breast self-exam?
The best time to perform a breast self-exam is about a week after your period ends, when your breast usually are not tender or swollen. If you have attained menopause, breast self-exam should be performed on the same day each month (e.g. 1st of every month or 1st sunday of every month)

What should I focus on while examining breast?
Focus on how your breasts look and feel.

The following are steps that will take you through a complete breast self exam:




Step 1: Stand in front of a large mirror and observe the size and shape of your breast. You will also need to pay attention to the color and texture.

Step 2: Now assess your breast by looking at mirror in four different postures:

Arms Raised Above

• Both arms folded down.
• Both arms raised above your head.
• Both arms placed over your waist.
• Slightly bending down with arms over waist.

Arms placed over your waist

Step 3: Gently squeeze each nipple between your fingers and thumb and check for nipple discharge if any. Step 4: Lying down flat, with a pillow under right shoulder feel your right breast with your left hand and your left breast with a pillow under left shoulder with your right hand. Use the first few fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as ifyou were mowing a lawn. Be sure to feel all the breast tissue. Makesure that you cover the whole breast.

Pattern to cover the whole breast

Step 5: Feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that it is easy to feel the breasts when it is wet and hence, prefer to do this while taking a bath. The goal of a breast self-exam is for you to getused to the way your breasts look and feel. Knowing your breasts betterwill help you notice any abnormality immediately, so that necessarysteps can be taken to prevent and/or correct them.
	Lying down flat

What you should look for:

• Breast size, shape and color.
• Relative position of nipples on either side.
• Visible distortion or swelling.

If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:

• Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin.
• A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out).
• Redness, rash, or swelling.
• Discharge of milky or yellow fluid or blood from your nipple.
• A lump in your armpit. 

While in the bath

By:-indianwomenhealth