Breast cancer breast self examination

BREAST CANCER: BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION

 

Examination of the breasts needs to be done regularly and properly to be useful. Some women find it a source of considerable anxiety, or worry because they do not do it. Very often, women who do discover a lump or any other abnormality in their breasts are slow to report it to their doctors. Their fear is understandable, but usually unjustified. The lumps detected by approximately 9 out of every 10 women turn out to be benign.
Although there is some controversy about whether or not the early detection of small cancerous lumps by breast self-examination has any significant effect on the outcome of their treatment, the results of several studies suggest that it might do so. Breast self-examination is generally accepted as being a useful and positive way in which women can help to monitor their own health.
Although some women are worried that feeling their breasts may help to spread cancer cells where these are present, this is an entirely groundless fear.
As women age, the amount of fat in their breasts increases, and older women, as well as those who are overweight or who have very large breasts, may find it more difficult to distinguish between normal and abnormal changes when they feel their breasts. Breast examination for these women is best done by a doctor or specially trained nurse.

When to do it
Before or during a menstrual period the breasts may become tender and lumpy. Monthly examinations should therefore be carried out 7 to 10 days after the start of each period. Women who do not have periods should examine their breasts on the same day - for example the first - of each month.

How to do it
To examine your breasts, you should first remove all the clothing from the top half of your body and stand in front of a mirror.
Look at the whole of each breast, turning sideways as you do so. Then raise your arms above your head and look again, especially at the area around the nipple. If you know your body well, you should be able to detect anything unusual - anything that is a change from what is normal for you. If this is your first self-examination, make sure you become familiar with the normal size, shape and general appearance of your breasts and nipples.
Next, put your hands on your hips and press inwards until the muscles in your chest become tense. If the skin over a breast seems to pit or dimple, if a breast changes shape, or if the nipples of the two breasts do not point the same way, you should make an appointment for your doctor to examine you.
Also check your nipples for any discharge, as this may be a sign of a minor or more serious problem.
You can then continue your examination by lying on your back on a bed with your head on a pillow. Put a folded towel under one shoulder - under your left shoulder to examine your left breast - and use the flat part of the fingers of your other hand (not the fingertips) to feel it.
Keeping your fingers together, press your breast firmly but gently all over. Start by working in a circular pattern around the nipple and continue outwards. Then, raising your left arm above your head, continue to examine up towards and into your armpit.
Repeat the whole process for your other breast, with the towel under the other shoulder, and feeling with the fingers of your other hand.

Signs to look for
When you have completed your examinations, you should ask yourself the following questions.
* Has either of your breasts changed in size?
* Has there been a change in, or is there a discharge or bleeding from, a nipple?
* Is there unusual pitting or dimpling of the skin of the breast or of the nipple?
* Are any of the veins on your breast more visible than usual?
* Can you feel a lump or thickening within the breast? The normal breast is firm but may contain lumps, which are often most prominent just before a period. If you can feel an unusual lump, is it hard or soft, regular or irregular in shape? Does it feel as though it is attached to the overlying skin or to the chest wall?
If you do detect any change, or are concerned for any reason, make an appointment to see your doctor.
If you examine your breasts regularly, either by palpation or by looking at them, you will get to know their normal feel and appearance, and should be better able to detect any change that may occur.

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