Breast self examination

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION

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Breast cancer screeningBreast cancer screening
•Early detection is an important factor in the
success of breast cancer treatment. The
earlier breast cancer is found, the more easily
and successfully it can be treated.
•The three methods commonly used for early
detection are:
3.Breast self-exam (BSE).
4.Clinical breast exam (CBE).
5.Mammogram.

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Breast cancer screeningBreast cancer screening
•Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast
may be most useful for very high-risk
women, such as those who test positive
for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, or have
two or more close family members who
have had breast cancer before age 50.5
MRI may also be used to evaluate the
opposite breast in women diagnosed with
breast cancer.

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Breast cancer screeningBreast cancer screening
(Women at high risk of Breast Cancer)
1.Age
2.Early Menarche
3.Late Menopause
4.Nullipara
5.First pregnancy at
advanced age
6.Absence of Breast
Feeding
7.Long h/o Infertility
1.Diabetes
2.Hypertension
3.Family h/o Cancer
Ovary, Breast, Colon
(Ist degree)
4.H/o Cancer in
Opposite Breast
5.Obesity
6.Genetic

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Breast cancer screeningBreast cancer screening
•The type and frequency of breast cancer
screening that is best for you changes as
you age.
•Ages 18 to 39: You should have a
clinical breast exam every 3 years. If you
have a
high risk for developing breast cancer,
talk to your health professional about
when to begin having annual
mammograms.

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Breast cancer screeningBreast cancer screening
•Ages 40 to 69: Annual clinical breast
exams are recommended by all experts
for women in this age group. Annual
mammography is recommended for
women older than age 50.
•Age 70 and over: If you are 70 or older,
talk to your health professional about
mammography as a regular part of your
health care plan.

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How Do I Examine My Breasts?How Do I Examine My Breasts?
•There are two parts to
a BSE:
•how your breasts look
•how they feel

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How Do I Examine My Breasts?How Do I Examine My Breasts?
•stand or sit in front of a
mirror with your arms
relaxed at your sides.
Look at your breasts
carefully. Do you see
anything unusual, like a
change in the way your
nipples look? Any
dimples or changes in
the skin?

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How Do I Examine My Breasts?How Do I Examine My Breasts?

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How Do I Examine My BreastsHow Do I Examine My Breasts
•You can also examine
your breasts as you lie
on your back on your
bed. Use the same
method described
above, raising one
arm and using the
other hand to check
your breast in a spiral
motion.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•Monthly breast self-exams are an option
for all women beginning by age 20.
Women who regularly examine their
breasts become more aware of how their
breasts normally feel.
•They are more likely to notice changes --
including masses or lumps -- that could be
early signs of cancer.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•It's best to check about a week after your
period, when breasts are not swollen or
tender.
•If you no longer have a period, examine
yourself on the same day every month.
•If you see or feel a change in your
breasts, see your doctor immediately. But
remember, most of the time breast
changes are not cancer.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•Using a mirror,
inspect your breasts
with your arms at your
sides, with your
hands on your hips,
and with your arms
raised while flexing
your chest muscles.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•Look for any changes
in contour, swelling,
dimpling of skin, or
appearance of the
nipple. It is normal if
your right and left
breasts do not match
exactly.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•Using the pads of your
fingers, press firmly on
your breast, checking
the entire breast and
armpit area. Move
around your breast in a
circular, up-and-down,
or wedge pattern.
Remember to use the
same method every
month. Check both
breasts.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•There are three
patterns you can use
to examine your
breast: the circular,
the up-and-down, and
the wedge patterns.
Use the pattern that is
easiest for you, and
use the same pattern
every month.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•Gently squeeze the
nipple of each breast
and report any
discharge to your
doctor immediately.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•Examine both breasts
lying down. To examine
the right breast, place a
pillow under your right
shoulder and place
your right hand behind
your head. Using the
pads of your fingers,
press firmly, checking
the entire breast and
armpit area. Use the
same pattern you used
while standing. Repeat
for your left breast.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•The most effective way to fight breast
cancer is to detect it early. Although
the most effective tools to detect breast
cancer are mammography and clinical
breast exam by your health
professional, the breast self-exam may
also be an effective tool to find cancer
early. In fact, women who perform
regular breast self-exam find 90% of all
breast masses.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
(FAQ)(FAQ)
•What is a breast self-exam and why should I do
it?
•The breast self-exam is a way that you can check your
breasts for changes (such lumps or thickenings) that
may signal breast cancer. When breast cancer is
detected in its early stages, your chances for surviving
the disease are greatly improved. While 80% of all
breast lumps are not cancerous, you can help catch
potentially serious changes in the breast early by
regularly performing a self-exam.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•When should I perform a breast self-exam?

•It is good to start performing breast self exams in your
20's. You should examine your breasts once a month,
three to five days after your menstrual period ends. If
you have stopped menstruating, perform the exam on
the same day of each month, such as the first day of
the month or a day easy for you to remember, such as
your birth date. With each exam, you will become
familiar with the contours and feel of your breasts, and
will be more alert to changes.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•How do I perform a breast self-exam?

•To perform a breast self-exam, follow
the steps described below.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•In the mirror: -
•1)Stand undressed from the waist up in front of a
large mirror in a well-lit room. Look at your breasts.
Don't be alarmed if they do not look equal in size or
shape. Most women's breasts aren't. With your arms
relaxed by your sides, look for any changes size,
shape or position, or any changes to the skin of the
breasts.
Look for any skin puckering, dimpling, sores or
discoloration. Inspect your nipples and look for any
sores, peeling or change in the direction of the
nipples.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•2)Next, place your hands on your hips and press
down firmly to tighten the chest muscles beneath your
breasts. Turn from side to side so you can inspect the
outer part of your breasts.
•3)Then bend forward toward the mirror. Roll your
shoulders and elbows forward to tighten your chest
muscles. Your breasts will fall forward. Look for any
changes in the shape or contour of your breasts.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•4)Now, clasp your hands behind your head and
press your hands forward. Again, turn from side to
side to inspect your breasts' outer portions.
Remember to inspect the border underneath your
breasts. You may need to lift your breasts with your
hand to see this area.
•5)Check your nipples for discharge (fluid). Place
your thumb and forefinger on the tissue surrounding
the nipple and pull outward toward the end of the
nipple. Look for any discharge. Repeat on your other
breast

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•In the shower: -
•6)Now, it's time to feel for changes in
the breast. It is helpful to have your
hands slippery with soap and water.
Check for any lumps or thickening in
your underarm area. Place your left
hand on your hip and reach with your
right hand to feel in the left armpit.
Repeat on the other side.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•7)Check both sides for lumps or thickenings above
and below your collarbone.
•8)With hands soapy, raise one arm behind your
head to spread out the breast tissue. Use the flat part
of your fingers from the other hand to press gently into
the breast. Follow an up-and-down pattern along the
breast, moving from bra line to collarbone. Continue
the pattern until you have covered the entire breast.
Repeat on the other side.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•Lying down: -
•9)Next, lie down and place a small pillow or
folded towel under your right shoulder. Put your
right hand behind your head. Place your left
hand on the upper portion of your right breast
with fingers together and flat. Body lotion may
help to make this part of the exam easier.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•10) Think of your breast as a face on a clock.
Start at 12 o'clock and move toward 1 o'clock in small
circular motions. Continue around the entire circle until
you reach 12 o'clock again. Keep your fingers flat and
in constant contact with your breast. When the circle is
complete, move in one inch toward the nipple and
complete another circle around the clock. Continue in
this pattern until you've felt the entire breast. Make
sure to feel the upper outer areas that extend into your
armpit.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•11)Place your fingers flat and directly on
top of your nipple. Feel beneath the nipple for
any changes. Gently press your nipple
inward. It should move easily.
•Repeat steps 9, 10 and 11 on your other Repeat steps 9, 10 and 11 on your other
breast.breast.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•Interestingly, cancerous tumors are more likely to
be found in certain parts of the breast over others.
If you divide the breast into 4 sections, the
approximate percentage of breast cancers found in
each area are (in clockwise pattern):
•41% upper, outer quadrant
•14% upper, inner quadrant
•5% lower, inner quadrant
•6% lower, outer quadrant
•34% in the area behind the nipple

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•Almost half occur in the upper outer
quadrant of the breast, towards the
armpit. Some physicians refer to this region
as the "tail" of the breast and encourage
women to examine it closely.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•What should I do if I find a lump?
•See healthcare provider if you discover any
new breast changes, changes that persist
after your menstrual cycle, or other changes
that you are concerned about. Conditions that
should be checked by a doctor include:

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATION(FAQ)BREAST SELF EXAMINATION(FAQ)
•An area that is distinctly different from any other area
on either breast
•Lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the
underarm that persists through the menstrual cycle
•A change in the size, shape or contour of the breast
•A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea
•A marble-like area under the skin
•A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the
breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly or inflamed)
•Bloody or clear fluid discharge from the nipples
•Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATIONBREAST SELF EXAMINATION
•To perform a breast self-exam, use a
circling, massaging motion and follow
a clock pattern or a wedge pattern.
Alternatively, you can use a sweeping
motion to examine breast tissue —
sweeping your fingers from the outer part
of your breast in toward your nipple.

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Breast self-exam using a Breast self-exam using a clock patternclock pattern
•Visualize your breast as the face of a clock.
•Place your left hand behind your head and
examine your left breast with your right
hand.
•Place your right hand at 12 o'clock — at the
very top of your breast.
•Press the pads of your three middle fingers
firmly on your breast in a slight circling,
massaging motion.

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Breast self-exam using a Breast self-exam using a clock patternclock pattern
•Move your hand down to 1 o'clock, then 2
o'clock, continuing until you return to 12 o'clock.
•Continue in the same pattern, moving your
hand in smaller circles toward your nipple.
•Check the tissue under the nipple and look for
discharge.
•Check the tissue under your armpit and
surrounding your breast.
•Place your right hand behind your head and
repeat the examination on your right breast
using your left hand.

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Breast self-exam using a Breast self-exam using a wedge patternwedge pattern
•Visualize your breast as a circle divided into
wedges, like pieces of a pie.
•Place your left hand behind your head and
examine your left breast with your right hand.
•Press the pads of your three middle fingers
firmly on your breast in a slight circling,
massaging motion.
•Start at the top of your breast about a half-
inch below your collarbone and slide your
fingers in toward your nipple as you
massage.

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Breast self-exam using a Breast self-exam using a wedge patternwedge pattern
•Examine the breast tissue in the entire
wedge — or piece of pie.
•Move your fingers clockwise to the next
wedge in the circle.
•Continue examining your breast in this
manner until you've completely examined
your breast and underarm.
•Place your right hand behind your head and
repeat the examination on your right breast
using your left hand.

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Breast self-exam using a Breast self-exam using a sweeping techniquesweeping technique
•Place your left hand behind your head and
examine your left breast with your right
hand.
•Instead of a circling, massaging motion,
sweep your three middle fingers from your
collarbone down to your nipple.
•Work clockwise around your breast.
•Sweep your fingers from the outside of
your breast in toward your nipple.

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Breast self-exam using a Breast self-exam using a sweeping techniquesweeping technique
•To feel deeper breast tissue, repeat the
process using a walking motion with your
fingers.
•Continue examining your breast in this
manner until you've completely examined
your breast and underarm.
•Place your right hand behind your head
and repeat the examination on your right
breast using your left hand.

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When should you start breast self-
exams?
•The American Cancer Society recommends that
doctors inform women about the benefits and
limitations of breast self-exams when they reach
age 20. That's the age you should begin breast
self-exams. Whether or not you perform breast
self-exams, you should have a clinical breast
exam by a health professional every three years
until you're 40. After age 40, schedule a clinical
breast exam and a mammogram every year.

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What's the best time for breast self-
exams?
•The best time to perform a breast self-exam is about a
week after the start of your period. That's when
your breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen.
Your breast tissue undergoes changes each month
during your menstrual cycle. Changes in hormone
levels associated with menstruation cause your
breasts to swell. Once your period starts, the swelling
subsides and your breasts return to normal.
•During pregnancy and nursing, your breasts may
feel more lumpy than usual. If you have any questions
about how your breasts look or feel, don't hesitate to
ask your doctor about them.

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Pros and cons of breast self-
exams
•One benefit of breast self-exams is the
potential to identify and treat a cancerous breast
lump while it's still small and in an early stage of
development.
•On the flip side, however, you might need a
biopsy to evaluate an area of concern. If the
biopsy results are noncancerous (benign), you
might feel that you have undergone an
invasive procedure unnecessarily.
•Breast self-exams may also be challenging if
you have normally lumpy (fibrocystic)
breasts.

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Pros and cons of breast self-
exams
•Breast self-exams alone don't reduce the number of
deaths from breast cancer. Breast self-exams can miss
tumors, as can other methods of screening. That's why
it's important to rely on more than one method to screen
for breast cancer.
•A combined approach to breast cancer screening -
including breast self-exams, clinical breast exams,
mammography and magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) for certain high risk women - increases your
chances of finding breast cancer at an early, treatable
stage.

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When To Call a DoctorWhen To Call a Doctor
2.The most common symptom of
breast cancer is a painless lump. But,
early breast cancer is often found on a
mammogram before a lump can be felt.
3.Any breast lump in an adult male is
considered abnormal and needs to be
evaluated by a doctor.

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When To Call a DoctorWhen To Call a Doctor
1.Other breast problems that need to be
evaluated by a doctor include:
•A thickening in the breast or armpit.
•A change in the size or shape of the breast.
•Changes in the skin of the breast, such as a
dimple or skin that looks like an orange peel.
•A change in the nipple, such as scaling of the
skin, a nipple that turns in, or discharge or
bleeding.
•A change in the color or feel of the skin around
the nipple.