Breast self-exam guideline
Recommended screening guidelines:
- Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
- Clinical breast exam about every 3 years for women in their twenties and thirties and every year for women aged 40 and above.
- Monthly breast self-exam is an option for women starting in their twenties.
Adult
women of all ages are encouraged to perform breast self-exam once a month. while mammograms can help you to detect cancer before
you can feel a lump, breast self-exam help you to be familiar of with how your
breasts look and feel so you can alert your healthcare professional if there
are any changes.
How should a breast self-exam be performed?
Lying down:
When lying down the breast tissue spreads
out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow right under your shoulder and
your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand move the pads of your
fingers around your right breast, gently in small circular motions, covering
the entire breast area and armpit.
Use
light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and
lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.
In the shower:
Using the pads of your fingers, move around
your entire breast in a circular pattern, moving from the outside to the
centre, checking the entire breast and armpit area. Check breasts each month
feeling for any lump, thickening or hardened knot.
Notice
any changes and get lumps evaluated by your healthcare provider.
In front of a mirror:
Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arm high overhead.
Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling or dimpling of the skin or changes in the nipples.
Next, raise your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match- few women's breasts do, so look for any dimpling,puckering or changes particularly on one side.
Breast changes to look out you for.
See your doctor if you notice any of the following changes:
- A change in size, outline or shape of your breasts, especially when you move your arm or lift your breast.
- A change in the look of your skin.
- Any discomfort or pain in one breast, particularly if it's a new pain and doesn't go away.
- A new lump, thickening or bumpy area in one breast or armpit that is different from the same area on the other side.
- Nipple discharge that's not milky.
- Bleeding from the nipple.
- A moist, red area on your nipple that doesn't heal easily.
- Any change in nipple position, such as your nipples being pulled in or pointing differently.
- A rash on or around your nipple.
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