Buying a breast self-exam kit

Buying a breast self-exam kit can be a confusing experience. After all, self-exam kits have come a long way. No longer do they only consist of simple calendars and instructions, but now there are more tools to help you achieve a greater sense of well-being, while performing this crucial exam. What tools are really necessary? Why should I do monthly self-exams? Which kit works best? What can make this monthly exam easier? There are so many options to look into these days when buying a breast self-exam kit. Take a look at all the options, and then decide what works best for you. Will it be the self-examination pad, the t-shirt, or the shower kit? You decide!

Why Buy a Breast Self-Exam Kit?

Close to 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, with a death toll resulting in over 40,000. The ratio of breast cancer diagnosis is one in eight women. Survival rate because of early detection is 95%. Mammograms have been effective early detection methods, but ultrasounds and other new forms technology have been proven capable of locating cancerous breast masses. Women 40 years and older are encouraged to have mammograms, though millions never have them. However, those younger than 40 should also check themselves for breast lumps, especially if there is a history of breast cancer in the family. Beginning at 20 years of age all women should begin doing breast self-exams, so that they know the feel of the tissue, and can detect any changes or oddities easier. Breast self-exam kits can be of great help to women who are unsure of how to begin this monthly testing process.

The Basics of Breast Self-Exam Kits

There are dozens of different breast self-exam kits to be found. Some include the basics, while others include items of comfort, to ease the process a bit. There are free self-exam kits that can be ordered, which contain a breast self-exam card (featuring instructions), a magnet, and reminder stickers, but as helpful as these kits are, there are kits out there that are often more helpful, and cost a very minimal fee (the proceeds of which usually go toward breast cancer research and finding a cure). Most breast self-exam kit fees range from $10 to $30, depending on what is included. The highly-recommended basic breast self-exam kit from years past often included step-by-step directions and an instructional video, but there are so many more helpful and optional additions available now.

The Breast Self-Examination Pad

An excellent addition for several breast self-exam kits is the reusable breast self-examination pad, which has been manufactured by several different brands. This soft pad is an actual medical device and has been used by many doctors. This pad helps to enhance the sensitivity of hand-to-breast contact, making detection easier, and reduces the friction that often occurs when one self-examines with bare hands. The pad itself has the feel and appearance of a type of cold compress; liquid is sealed between the two soft plastic sheets. When placed against your breast it clings to the skin, and provides a smooth gliding movement for your fingers to detect any changes, minus the friction. The pad does not take the place of ultrasounds or mammograms, but it does help one feel more comfortable while doing the recommended monthly exam.

The Breast Self-Exam T-Shirt

Another ingenious idea is the self-exam t-shirt kit, which includes a cotton and spandex t-shirt, fitted to your own bra size, complete with spiral markings in which to mark changes in the breast from month to month. This t-shirt gives a visual reference on which to compare the markings made when you’ve recorded a lump, knot, or unusual bump. It is much like the sheets of paper which doctors may use, or ask you to mark, where you detect a lump, only this t-shirt is a bit more accurate in that it fits snug and is life-size, rather than a 3x5 piece of paper used to represent both breasts.

The Shower Kit

It’s been recommended by many doctors that women check their breasts in the shower, because the water cascading over the skin makes a smoother surface on which to check. This kit includes a case holding twelve bath gels which are pink and lightly-fragranced. The case can be adhered to the shower wall, or placed elsewhere in the bathroom, but it is recommended it be placed where it will be a reminder to check once a month. The sheer pink gels are intended for providing a slick, smooth surface for the hand to glide over the breasts with ease while doing the monthly breast exam.

Other Comforting Tools in Breast Self-Exam Kits

Some kits include other tools of comfort to encourage peace of mind, as the breast self-exam can sometimes be harrowing, or even uncomfortable, for those who get queasy easily. These kit ideas often include aromatherapy and/or candles, scented with relaxing herbs such as lavender and jasmine, which have a calming, soothing effect.

So Many Choices

These various kits can be ordered and purchased most anywhere, from your local drugstore to the internet. They all are helpful in providing ease for the awkward monthly breast exams, and different consumers can choose which tools are right for them.