No one knows exactly what causes breast cancer,
and it is difficult to predict who will get it.
Performing a monthly breast self exam is a very
useful screening strategy for finding any
suspicious lump or change in your breast tissue.
Women who regularly examine their breasts with
the BSE tend to be more aware of how their
breasts normally feel. They can detect
changes including masses or lumps which could be
early signs of cancer.
Early screening detection as
recommended by the American Cancer Society:
Age 20-39
Monthly breast self-exam, clinical breast exam
every three years.
If you have menstrual periods
this exam should be performed a few days after the period has ended.
Normally, after this time your breasts are not tender to touch.
Women who are taking birth
control pills as contraceptives - do your breast self exam each month on the
day you begin a new package of pills.
If you are not menstruating or
in menopause, breast self exams should be done on the same day each month.
Try to pick a day that is easy to remember - such as the first or fifteenth
of every month.
Age 40-49
Monthly breast self-exam, annual clinical breast
exam, mammography every one to two years, baseline
mammogram by age 40.
If you have menstrual periods
this exam should be performed a few days after the period has ended.
Normally, after this time your breasts are not tender to touch.
Women who are taking birth
control pills as contraceptives - do your breast self exam each month on the
day you begin a new package of pills.
If you are not menstruating or
in menopause, breast self exams should be done on the same day each month.
Try to pick a day that is easy to remember - such as the first or fifteenth
of every month.
Age 50 +
Monthly breast self-exam, annual clinical breast
exam, annual
mammography
If you have menstrual periods this exam
should be performed a few days after the
period has ended. Normally, after this
time your breasts are not tender to touch.
Women who are taking birth control pills as
contraceptives - do your breast self exam
each month on the day you begin a new
package of pills.
If you are not menstruating or in menopause,
breast self exams should be done on the same
day each month. Try to pick a day that
is easy to remember - such as the first or
fifteenth of every month.
Breast self-exam can seem intimidating at first,
but each time you examine your breasts you will
become more familiar and comfortable with your
breast tissue. As you get to know what your
breasts normally look and feel like; you'll be
able to notice any changes that may occur. It is
normal for breasts to feel lumpy - by
identifying your own natural "lumps," you'll be
able to tell if something is different.
Take note of the size and shape of each of your
breasts, and the position of each nipple. It is
normal for one breast to be larger than another.
Experts suggest checking about one week after
your period. You may want to check with your
healthcare provider for the best way to perform
the exam.
The American Cancer Society suggests the
following procedure:
Lie down with a pillow under your right
shoulder and place your right arm behind
your head.
Use the finger pads of the three middle
fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps
in the right breast.
Press firmly enough to know how your breast
feels. A firm ridge in the lower curve of
each breast is normal. If you're not sure
how hard to press, talk with your doctor or
nurse.
Move around the breast in a circular, up and
down line, or wedge pattern. Be sure to do
it the same way every time, check the entire
breast area, and remember how your breast
feels from month to month.
Repeat the exam on your left breast, using the
finger pads of the right hand. (Move the pillow
to under your left shoulder)
If you find any changes, see your doctor right
away.
Repeat the examination of both breasts while
standing, with your one arm behind your head.
The upright position makes it easier to check
the upper and outer part of the breasts (toward
your armpit). This is where about half of breast
cancers are found. You may want to do the
standing part of the Breast Self Exam 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 check your breasts for
any dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple,
redness, or swelling while standing in front of
a mirror right after your Breast Self Exam each month.
If you find any lumps, thickenings, or changes,
tell your doctor right away. Most breast lumps
are not cancerous, but you won't know if you
don't ask.
When tumors are detected in the very
earliest stages, the survival rate can approach
100 percent.
If you have breast implants, you should perform
breast self-examination monthly on your
implanted breast. In order to do this
effectively, you should ask your surgeon to help
you distinguish the implant from your breast
tissue.
Press firmly inward at the edges of the breast
implants to feel the ribs beneath, checking for
any lumps or bumps. However, be careful not to
manipulate (or squeeze) the valve on the implant
excessively, which may cause valve leakage and
make the
breast implant deflate. Any new lumps
or suspicious lesions (sores) should be
evaluated with a
biopsy. If a biopsy is
performed, care must be taken to avoid
puncturing the implant.
The
benefit of breast self-exams is the
potential to identify and treat a
cancerous breast lump while it’s still
small and in an early stage of
development
Patient
might need a biopsy to evaluate an area
of concern
CONS:
If the
biopsy results are non-cancerous
(benign), some might feel that this invasive procedure
was unnecessary.
Breast
self-exams may also be challenging if
you have normally lumpy (fibrocystic)
breasts.
Breast
self exams can potentially miss tumors -
as well as other methods of cancer
screening
It is very
important to not rely on just "one method"
of screening for breast cancer.
