Breast Exam|Breast Examination.

What is Breast Self Examination. Examining your own breast periodically for any telltale signs of a growth can help detect a lump in the breast at an early stage. And if turns out to be malignant, chances of survival rate will higher. Doing a self breast exam (BSE) every month will make you used to the general normal feel of the breasts. And should a lump occur, you will be able to detect it. Breast exam forms part of breast screening for breast cancer.

How to Self Breast Exam.

Self exam of  breast is alternately carried out to feel for any lump or lumps in the breast.

1) The woman should stand in front of the mirror with the upper part of the body exposed so that proper visualization of the breasts can be carried out. Visual examination of both the breasts from the front helps to detect any differences in the size and shape of the two breasts. Do not be alarmed if the breasts are different in shapes and size. Most women’s breasts do differ. Any changes in the skin over the breast and redness and swelling are looked for. Inspect the nipples and look for any sores or skin changes or change in the direction of the nipples.

2) Both the breasts are examined by hand to feel for any variation. The breast is examined in varying positions by placing the same sided hand above the head (eg. right hand for right breast) and again by the side and again in lying down position.

• Standing Up Position. The flat of the hand is placed over the breast and the breast is palpated to feel for any abnormal feel of a lump or soreness with the pads of the three middle fingers. Use the right hand to examine the left breast and the left hand to examine the right breast. Doing this in the shower by applying soap to the fingers will facilitate an easier movement of the hand over the breast. Apply enough pressure so that you can feel through the breast tissue. Move your fingers from the outer area towards the nipple in each quadrant of the breast. Cover the entire breast.
• Lying Down Position. Place the right hand behind your head and move the pads of the fingers of the left hand over the right breast. Move the fingers in circular motion and cover the entire breast in a clockwise direction. Apply enough pressure to feel through the breast tissue without causing any discomfort.

3) Presence of any swelling in the axilla (armpit) and above the collar bone is also looked for.

4) The nipples are squeezed gently to rule out any discharge.

5) Lumps that are smooth soft and movable are likely to be benign while lumps that hard and fixed or attached are likely to be malignant. Breast exam can help in detecting a lump in breast in early stages and point to further investigations.

The image below shows the various steps of breast self examination as detailed above. (Click on image to enlarge)

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2. Diagnosis and Testing for Breast Cancer.
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5. The Breast.
6. Breast Cancer Survival.
7. Breast Cancer.
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