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Breast cancer is the number two cause of cancer related deaths in women. Any woman can get breast cancer. Ninety percent of early breast cancer is curable. Breast self examination (BSE) can help you notice changes in your breasts.
You can do BSE and it only takes ten minutes a month. Most (80%) lumps are not cancer (but all lumps and other changes in the breast should be checked out be a doctor). For all of these reasons, you should get in the habit of regular BSE. To find out how, Simply read the steps that follow:
For women still menstruating, two or three days after your period ends is the best time for BSE. Your breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen during this interval. For women who no longer menstruate, any time is a good time for BSE, though picking the same day each month will make doing BSE easier to remember. (For women who take hormones, ask your doctor when the best time for BSE is.)
How to do BSE
Stand in front of a mirror with your breasts clearly in view. Look at both breasts for anything unusual, including dimpled, puckered or scaly skin, or any discharge (clear or colored fluid) from nipples.
Then, check for any change in the shape of your breasts. Clasping your hands behind your head, press your hands forward.
Next, press your hands firmly on your hips, continuing to look for shape changes.
Then, bend slightly toward the mirror as you hunch your shoulders and pull your elbows forward.
Begin at your breast's outer edge, slowly moving your fingers around the whole breast. When you reach your starting point, use a smaller circle and repeat. Keep using smaller and smaller circles until you get to the nipple.
Lastly, remember to check your underarm and upper chest areas too.
Be sure to report any irregularities to your doctor, and remember, a lump is not necessarily cancerous. But to be safe, you must report any irregularity to your doctor immediately.
Finally, in addition to SBE at least once a month, women should have regular mamograms. They can spot breast cancer even before you can.
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