Breast Self-Exam

Breast self-examination is something every woman should learn to do after puberty. Every woman should know how to detect any suspicious signs. In many cases, it saves lives. If she feels something unusual, she should immediately consult her doctor. By dedicating just 10 minutes a month to yourself through self-examination, you help diagnose breast cancer at an early stage, which can even lead to a complete cure. The purpose of self-examination is, through repeated practice, for a woman to become familiar with the normal shape of her breasts and to be able to recognize any changes in them early on.

The most experienced hand for each breast is your own hand on your own breast, since it has been proven that women themselves can detect very small lumps measuring 0.5–1 centimeter. The best time to perform a breast self-exam (if you are still of reproductive age) is about 3 days after the last day of your period. During those days, your breasts are less likely to be swollen, and the exam is easier and more reliable.

The examination is performed using slow, circular motions, starting at the outer edge of the breast and covering all four quadrants. With one hand on the neck and the fingers of the other hand, you can feel for any irregularities in the skin or breast. With your hands at your waist and then behind your neck, carefully observe any changes in the color, shape, or texture of your breasts. For a thorough examination, the palpation should be repeated five times for each breast. Finally, gently press the nipple with your thumb and index finger and check for any discharge.

The most common site for the development of cancer is the upper and outer quadrants of each breast. It is also important to note that in most cases when a woman feels a lump in her breast, it is not cancer, but a cyst or a benign fibroadenoma. A clinical examination by a doctor or a self-examination by the woman herself cannot replace or substitute for a mammogram under any circumstances. The two complement each other, so that every woman can feel safe from breast cancer or other conditions.