DO NOT TAKE CHANCES, DO A SELF-EXAMINATION Many women with early breast cancer do not have symptoms and this is where breast self examination is important. Below are the steps for breast self examination. Step 1 Stand before a mirror and begin by looking at your breasts with shoulders straight and arms on hips. Check if your breasts are their usual size, colour and shape. If you notice dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin, an inverted nipple, redness, soreness, a rash or swelling, see a doctor. Step 2 Raise your arms above the head, turn left and right and observe the same changes indicated in step one. Step 3 Look for any signs of fluid. This could be watery, milky or yellow fluid or even blood. Use the pads of three fingers and not fingertips to examine the breasts. Step 4 Feel the breasts while lying down using your right hand to feel the left breast and the left hand to feel the right breast. Use a firm smooth touch with the first finger pads of your hand and ensure that you keep the fingers flat and together. Move clockwise. Do this from top to bottom, side to side, from collarbone to the top of the abdomen and from armpit to cleavage. Begin with the nipple, moving in larger circles, until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move fingers up and down vertically. Step 5 Feel your breast while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery so they prefer doing this step while in the shower. Use the movements in step four. Best time to do a self-breast examination is about 10 days after your periods start because your breasts are not so tender or lumpy at that time in your cycle. If you have gone through menopause, do your exam on the same day every month. Breast self examination is recommended once every month.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 08:32:00 +0000