Breast self examination

Breast self examination, its purpose and procedure

1. BREAST SELF EXAMINATION Prepared by: Prabita Shrestha

2. Introduction: The exam is referred to as a “BSE.” Breast self-examination  (BSE) is a screening method used in an attempt to detect early breast cancer. The method involves the woman herself looking at and feeling each breast for possible lumps, distortions or swelling . BSE was once promoted heavily as a means of finding cancer at a more curable stage, but large randomized controlled studies found that it was not effective in preventing death, and actually caused harm through needless biopsies and surgery.

3. Contd : Once thought to be a good screen for breast cancer, a self-exam is now considered to be less effective than other techniques, such as regular mammograms. However , breast self-exams help you familiarize yourself with the shape, size, and texture of your breasts. This is important because it can help you determine if what you are feeling is normal or abnormal.

4. Purpose:

5. To detect early breast cancer To find out abnormal findings in breast Contd :

6. Symptoms of breast cancer:

7. When should women do BSE? All women over the age of 20 are recommended to do a breast self examination every month. Whilst having a periods a good time to do a breast self exam is one week after your period has finished – for example, day 1 is the first day of your period and your period finishes on day 5, so day 12 would be an ideal time to examine your breasts. They are less tender at this time and less likely to be lumpy due to hormonal changes. During breast feeding a good time to check breasts is after a good feed, so then breasts are ‘empty’ and the examination is more comfortable. After the menopause choose a regular day – for example the first day of every month – so that you do not forget.

8. Risks of BSE: Many lumps are benign – non cancerous – and are as a result of hormonal changes in the breast. Finding a breast lump is an anxious time and often the worry is unnecessary as the lump is harmless. If all women act early on any breast changes, although there may be some unnecessary stress over the benign lumps, there will also be improved outcomes for the women that do have cancer and need early treatment in order to survive.

9. Step 1:  Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Here's what you should look for: Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention: Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out) Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

10. Step 2:  Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes. Step 3:  While you're at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).

11. Step 4:  Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen.

12. Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women. Contd:

13. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage. Contd :

14. Step 5:  Finally, feel your breasts 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 like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step 4.

15. References: http:// www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/moreinformation/breastcancerearlydetection/breast-cancer-early-detection-acs-recs-bse http:// www.cyfairhospital.com/en-us/ourservices/communityservices/pages/theimportanceofbreastself-exams.aspx http:// www.healthline.com/health/breast-lump-self-exam#BreastSelf-ExamOverview1 http:// www.breastcancerdeadline2020.org/breast-cancer-information/breast-cancer-information-and-positions/bse-position.pdf