Breast self examination

DR REKHA ARYA
MBBS ,MD RADAITION ONCOLOGIST

1. BREAST SELF EXAMINATION

2. Why breas t self examination screening needed ? Increasing incidence of aggressive B reast C ancer in younger age group Rising number of cases of B reast C ancer in India Late presentation- directly decreasing the long term survival Lack of awareness and screening - Breast awareness is the single most important factor responsible for better survival in the west

3. Opportunity for woman to become familiar with her breasts Monthly exam of the breasts and underarm area May discover any changes early Begin at age 20, continue monthly Self Breast Examination Steps

4. Menstruating women- 5 to 7 days after the beginning of their period Menopausal women - same date each month Pregnant women – same date each month Takes about 10 minutes Perform BSE at least once a month Examine all breast tissue When to do BSE

5. Self Breast Examination Steps Stand before a mirror and look at both breasts. Check for anything unusual, such as nipple retraction, redness, puckering, dimpling or scaling of the skin. Look for nipple discharge.

6. Next, press hands firmly on hips and lean slightly toward mirror as you pull your shoulders and elbows forward with a squeezing or hugging motion. Look for any change in the normal shape of your breasts.

7. L o o k i n g in the mir r o r , r a i s e a r ms and rest hands behind head. This allows to see the underside of the breasts

8. Place left hand on waist, roll shoulder forward and reach into underarm area and check for enlarged lymph nodes Also check the area above and below clavicle To be done on both sides

9. Use three levels of pressure (light, medium and firm) while moving in a circular motion

10. Raise left arm. Use the pads of three or four fingers of right hand to examine left breast. Use three levels of pressure (light, medium and firm) while moving in a circular motion. Beginning at the outer edge of breast, use flat part of fingers, moving in circles slowly around the breast. Gradually make smaller and smaller circles toward the nipple. Check behind the nipple as well

11. L i e fl a t o n bac k w ith l e ft arm ove r hea d an d a p i ll o w o r fo l d e d towel under left shoulder

12. Average-size lump found by woman practicing occasional breast self-exam (BSE) Average-size lump found by woman practicing regular breast self-exam (BSE) Average-size lump found by first Mammogram Average-size lump found by getting regular mammograms