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One out of eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Thanks to modern treatments, many will go on to live full lives.
The key to successful treatment, however, lies in early detection through regular breast self-examinations. Ninety percent of breast lumps are found by women themselves. Eight out of every 10 lumps are not cancerous, but that does not lessen the need to do breast self-examinations monthly.
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First, you should know how your breasts normally look. A small visual change may be an important early sign of a problem. Stand undressed from the waist up in front of a mirror with your arms relaxed by your sides. Compare your breast while turning from side to side. Look for any change in breast size, shape, skin texture or color, including redness, dimpling, puckering, or retraction of the skin. |
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Notice any nipple changes such as scaliness, a pulling to one side, or a change in direction. Tightening the chest muscles beneath the breasts can emphasize changes. Therefore, it is important to assume different positions.
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Place your hands on your waist and press inward, then turn from side to side to note any changes.
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Place your hands behind your head and press forward. Once again, turn from side to side and look for changes. Large-breasted women will need to take two fingers of the opposite hand to lift and look.
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Place your hands on your waist and bow toward the mirror, letting the breasts fall forward. Note any changes in breast shape.
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Nipple discharge can also be a sign of a breast problem. Gently squeeze the breast tissue surrounding the nipple between thumb and middle finger and check for nipple discharge.
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While taking a bath or shower, feel above and below the collarbone for lumps.
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From the collarbone, rub down firmly with a soapy hand to the nipple of one breast, feeling for any lumps, thickening, or changes from previous examinations.
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Next, support the breast with one hand while the other hand and fingers slide across the top of the breast, feeling for lumps.
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Check for lumps under your arm while relaxing your arm at your side. Reach across with your other hand to feel the area. Note any changes from previous examinations. Repeat on the other side.
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After bathing, lie down to complete the exam. Place a pillow under your left shoulder. Put your left hand behind your head and reach across with your right hand to your left breast. (A little lotion or baby oil on your fingers may make them more sensitive.) Place your right hand at the top of your left breast, holding your fingers together and flat. With firm, even pressure move your hand in a wide circle around the breast, letting the breast tissue slide under the pads of your fingertips.
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Move your hand in increasingly smaller circles until the entire breast is covered.
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Place your fingers flat on the nipple and depress, feeling beneath for any changes. Now, reverse your hands and the pillow to repeat the exam on the right breast.
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Finding a lump or change in your breast does not mean you have cancer. As noted before, eight out of 10 breast lumps are non-cancerous. Only your doctor can be sure. Report any changes promptly. Early detection is the best defense.
Ideally, breast self-examination should be done one week after your menstrual period ends. Your breasts are less lumpy and tender then. Women who no longer have periods can perform breast self-examination any time, as long as it is the same time each month. If you are breastfeeding, be sure your breasts have been emptied before you perform your breast exam.
Avoid being rushed when performing a breast exam. Use this time as an opportunity to change your mindset from thinking about finding cancer, to one of confirming health. We must remind women that breasts are a symbol of nurturing and caring, and as an important part of a woman’s anatomy deserve as much, if not more, loving attention as a woman’s hair or skin.
Recommended breast screening guidelines for women from puberty through age 49:
- Monthly breast self-examination.
- Annual breast examination by a trained health professional.
- Screening (baseline) mammogram done between ages 35-40.
- Women between ages 40-49 should have a mammogram every one to two years, depending on the recommendation of their physician.
These screening recommendations are for women who have no symptoms of breast cancer. Women identified as being at high risk for breast cancer should ask their physician for specific guidelines.
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