Breast Self-Examination Guide

Breast self-examination is a simple method that, if done regularly and methodically, can detect some breast cancers. However, breast self-examination should never replace mammography as a method of early detection of breast cancer We recommend watching this video explaining how to perform a breast self-examination.

How To Perform A Breast Self-Examination?

Breast self-examination should be performed once a month, after having completed your menstrual period. Women who have already passed menopause can set a specific day each month to carry it out

The first breast self-examination should be carried out carefully since you will be learning what the normal appearance and consistency of your breasts are, which will later allow possible anomalies to be identified. It must be considered that the mammary gland has a nodular consistency and initially there may be the sensation that small lumps can be felt when doing your self-examination. It is advisable that you seek guidance from an experienced physician can teach the correct self-examination technique.

The possible alterations that can be detected with breast self-examination and that should be a reason for consultation with the gynecologist are the following:

Palpation produces pain at a specific point.

Changes color or has a texture similar to orange peel.

Lumps or sinking are detected.

Fluid comes out of the nipples.

It is worth knowing that if a lump is detected during a breast self-examination, in 90% of cases it is a benign tumor that can be treated and not cancer.

When To Get A Breast Ultrasound And Mammogram?

Perform mammography every two years, on women between 50 and 69 years of age, or earlier according to medical criteria.
2. Practice the clinical examination of the breast every year for all women from the age of 40 as part of the physical examination of the woman.

What Can Be Detected During A Breast Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is useful to observe some changes in the breasts, such as lumps (especially those that can be felt but cannot be seen on a mammogram)or changes in women with dense breast tissue. It can also be used to test an area that was seen on a mammogram and is suspicious.

What Do Lumpy Breasts Feel Like?

They usually feel like a lump or round and mobile lump. They can cause pain to the touch. Cysts are common in both breasts and can change in size during the menstrual period. Some cysts are so tiny that you can’t see or feel them.

Self-examination is a vitally important procedure to detect anomalies to prevent the development of breast cancer; A physical and visual examination of the breasts should be performed regularly.

If you notice any of the following changes, tell your doctor:

Dimpling, wrinkling, or lumps in the skin

Change in position of a nipple or inverted nipple (it is tucked in instead of sticking out)

Redness, pain, rash, or swelling

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Breast Self-Examination Techniques

Breast Self-Examination technique focuses on feeling for changes in the breast and noting any observations that a woman makes in changes of her breasts. This procedure is as simple as it is necessary to detect an anomaly or change in the breasts.

No technique is considered better than another. Each woman has to find the way she considers easiest to carry out the examination periodically (ideally, it should be monthly). Self-examination must be a habit to take care of a woman’s health.

You should bear in mind that, if you detect any type of lump with the breast self-examination technique, in 90% of cases it will be a benign tumor that will require treatment and it will not be cancer. If you have any doubts about how to perform the technique, ask your doctor for advice.

Objective: To determine the perspective and knowledge about breast self-examination in women older than 20 years of a Family Medicine Unit of the Mexican Institute of Social Security.

Introduction: It is necessary to identify knowledge about breast self-examination to educate and reduce the mortality of the female population.

Methodology: Descriptive, cross-sectional study, in 350 patients older than 20 years, a survey was applied about their background and knowledge about breast self-examination, they underwent a visual test using an illustrated sheet. For the analysis, descriptive statistics were used, calculating the parameters with the statistical package SPSS V.14.0.

Conclusions: From the perspective of women, there is shame and fear of knowing that they may have cancer, which is a limitation for self-examination. The health team must provide information for the detection of breast cancer and thus reduce its morbidity and mortality.

Results: The average age was 38.9 years. 82.8% know what breast self-examination is, 76.5% responded that nursing provided this information, and 73.7% of women check their breasts, however, the visual test showed that 72.8% do not perform self-examination in an orderly manner.

Discussion: It was found that 82.8% have basic knowledge, as well as 73.7% are reviewed periodically, these results differ from a study carried out in rural areas in which 22% obtained prior knowledge and 47% are reviewed periodically. This difference may be due to the sociodemographic characteristics of both samples.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Self-Examination

Why is self-examination important?

The purpose of breast self-examination is to discover changes in the breasts. Therefore, it is important to perform it regularly to recognize the shape and consistency of the breasts and thus detect any changes that may appear.

What should feel in the breasts?

Normal breast tissue often feels nodular (lumps) and varies in consistency from woman to woman.
Even within each individual woman, the texture of breast tissue varies at different times in her menstrual cycle, and from time to time throughout her life.

See a gynecologist if you have
  • change in color and texture of the skin,
  • Lumps (nodules),
  • Hardening, sinking of the nipple or skin,
  • Wrinkling or redness of the skin,
  • Redness or roughness of the nipple,
  • Dark or bloody discharge from the nipple,
  • Enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits,
  • Increased venous network of the skin,
  • Change in size in one of the breasts.

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