Breast Exam
A clinical breast exam involves checking the look and feel of the breasts and underarm for any changes. The breasts are checked while a woman is sitting up and lying down.
Although often overshadowed by the promotion of regular mammograms, clinical breast exams are an important part of breast cancer screening and should be thought of as a complementary technique to mammography.
Regular self-breast exams are also critical to early detection of breast cancer.
Why do the Breast self-exam?
Planned Parenthood provides a breast exam yearly and when requested. We also suggest that each woman performs a self-exam each month. It is easy to do and the more you do it, the better you will get at it. When you get to know how your breasts normally feel, you will quickly be able to feel any change. Early detection is the key to successful treatment.
remember: A breast self-exam could save your breast - and save your life. Most breast lumps are found by women themselves, but in fact, most lumps in the breast are not cancer. Be safe, be sure.
When to do Breast Self-Exam
The best time to do breast self-exam is right after your period, when breasts are not tender or swollen. If you do not have regular periods or sometimes skip a month, do it on the same day every month.
How to do 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 thinckening in your right breast. Your finger pads are the top third of each finger.
3-Press firmly enough to know how your breast feels. If you're not sure how hard to press. ask your health care provider. Or try to copy the way your health care provider uses the finger pads during a breast exam. Learn what your breasts feels like most of the time. A firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast is normal.
4-Move around the breast in a set way. You can choose either circle (A), the up and down (B), or the wedge (C). Do it the same way every time. It will help you to make sure that you've gone over the entire brest area, and to remember how your breast feels.
5-Now examine you left breast using right hand finger pads.
6-Repeat the examination of both breats while standing, with one arm behind your head. The upright position makes it easier to check upper and outer part of the breasts (toward you armpit). You may want to do the standing part of the BSE while you are in the shower. Some breast changes can be felt more easily when your skin is wet and soapy. For added safety, you can also check your breats for any dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipples, redness, or swelling while standing in front of a mirror right after your BSA each month.
If you find any changes, see your health care provider right away.
This document is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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