Breast self-examination should be a routine part of your personal care. It helps you learn how your breasts normally look and feel. Breast self-examination also helps you detect changes in your breasts. Being able to detect changes is an important part of finding breast cancer in its early stages. Patients with breast cancer found early and treated right away have the best chance of being cured.
Breast examinations should be done once a month. If you are menstruating, examine your breast one week after your period ends. It is best to examine your breasts while standing in front of your mirror. The following are guidelines to follow while performing a self breast examination:
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1. Look at your breasts in the mirror and look for
a. Changes in shape
b. Swelling
c. Dimpling of the skin
d. Changes in the nipple
e. Blue-tinged skin
f. Skin that looks like an orange peel -
2. Using your palms and fingers, sweep down your breasts from collar bone to the nipples
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3. Gently grasp the tissue between your underarm and breast, and sqeeze gently in a rolling motion. Do this for both sides as you look for lumps.
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4. Lie down on your bed. Feel your right breast by moving your left hand in a circle. Your hand should be moving clockwise on your breast, starting at 12:00, 1:00,etc.
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5. Press your nipple with your index and middle fingers, and feel the area underneath the nipple.
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6. Sqeeze your nipple between your thumb and index finger. Look for any discharge from the nipples
CALL YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY IF YOUR FIND
1. A lump,
2. Discharge from the nipple,
3. Dimpling of the skin,
4. Blue-tinged skin,
5. Swelling,
6. Tenderness,
7. Changes in the shape of your breast
8. Skin that looks like an orange peel
