Early Detection Saves Lives: A Guide to Breast Self-Exams

It’s October and that means it’s breast cancer awareness month and it’s important to take the time to get to know how to prevent this scary illness. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, besides skin cancer. Early detection is crucial in saving lives, despite improvements in medical technology for treating this type of cancer. Breast self-exams are a simple and powerful tool that every woman can use to monitor their breast health. This guide offers essential information on the significance of breast self-exams, how to perform them, and when to seek professional medical advice. By becoming familiar with your breasts and what is normal for you, you can identify any changes early and get the necessary treatment.

How to Do a Breast Self-Exam

The best time to do a breast self-exam is a week or two after your menstrual period when your breasts are less tender. If you have not had a menstrual period, choose a day of the month to do your self-exam and stick to that schedule.

To do a breast self-exam, follow these steps:

Choose a Comfortable Location: Find a quiet, comfortable place where you can stand or sit with your arms relaxed by your sides.
Look in the Mirror: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror. Pay attention to their size, shape, and color. Note any changes in the skin, such as dimpling, redness, or puckering. Check for changes in nipple position or inversion.
Raise Your Arms: Raise your arms overhead and observe your breasts’ appearance once again.
Examine Your Breasts: Use the pads of your fingers (not the tips) to examine your breasts in a circular motion. Start from the outside and work your way in. Ensure you cover the entire breast area, including the armpit.
Pay Attention to Texture: Feel for any lumps, thickening, or unusual textures. Breast tissue can be lumpy due to hormonal changes, but focus on finding any changes that stand out from your normal breast tissue.
Check Your Nipples: Gently squeeze your nipples and check for any discharge, such as blood or pus.
Repeat Lying Down: Lie down with a pillow under your right shoulder and your right hand behind your head. Use your left hand to examine your right breast using the same circular motion described earlier. Repeat for the left breast.
Don’t Forget Your Armpits: Be sure to check the lymph nodes in your armpits as well. Feel for any enlarged or tender lymph nodes.

When to Seek Medical Advice

While breast self-exams are a valuable tool for early detection, they should not replace regular clinical breast examinations and mammograms. Here are some signs that should prompt you to seek medical advice according to the American Cancer Society:

A new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm.
Changes in breast size or shape.
Skin changes on the breast, such as dimpling, redness, or scaling.
Nipple changes, including inversion, discharge, or a sudden change in position.
Persistent breast pain that is unrelated to the menstrual cycle.

Here are some additional tips for early detection of breast cancer:

Be aware of your family history of breast cancer. If you have a close family member who has had breast cancer, you are at an increased risk.
Know your breasts and what is normal for you. This will help you identify any changes early on.
Do regular breast self-exams.
See your doctor for regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.

Breast cancer is a serious illness, but it can be effectively treated if detected early. You can increase your chances of overcoming breast cancer by regularly performing breast self-exams and seeking clinical breast exams and mammograms from your doctor. Performing regular self-exams is an important aspect of breast health awareness. By monitoring your breast tissue for any changes and remaining vigilant, you can actively participate in detecting breast cancer early. Early detection is crucial in saving lives, so make self-exams a part of your routine and encourage the women in your life to do the same. By increasing awareness and improving breast cancer outcomes together, we can make a difference.