Breast Self Exam Early Detection is the Key

Breast Self Exam

Early Detection is the Key

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Taking Care of YOU

The best gift you can give to yourself and your family is a healthy YOU.


Three Steps to Early Detection

1. Mammogram- yearly starting at age 40- American Cancer Society recommends yearly

breast self exams beginning at age 20.


2. Clinical Breast Examination-

Yearly by your Health Care Provider



3. Breast Self Exam (BSE)- Monthly



When to contact your Doctor or Health Care Provider

• Anytime you notice changes in your breasts.• Changes that continue even after your period

is over to include:– Nipple discharge or skin changes– Breast tenderness unrelated to your period– Lump


When to Perform an Exam

• Monthly– 6-7 days after your menstrual period ends– If you no longer have a menstrual period,

choose a certain day and do your exam at the same time each month.


Breast Self Exam (BSE)• The key to BSE is knowing what is “normal” in

your breasts:– Textures (how the breasts feel) that are present each

month.– Visual (how the breasts look) characteristics of your

breasts that are normal for you.– Areas of pain or tenderness that are part of your

monthly cycle.


Breast Self Exam (BSE)

• Once you know what is “normal”, you will be able to notice when there is a change.

• If you identify a change in your breast call your Health Care Provider to perform a complete examination of your breasts.


Steps for Breast Self Exam

• Visual

• Standing/Sitting Upright

• Lying down


Technique

• Use the pads of your 3 middle fingers, perform a circular motion with your fingers.

• Make a dime-sized circle in each area of your breast.


http://www.brooksidepress.org/Products/Military_OBGYN/Textbook/Breast/Breastcircle.jpg

Technique

• Starting in your armpit, do an exam using vertical strips, up and down, across the entire breasts.

• Make a circle in each area on your breast along the vertical lines.


Visual Examination

• While looking in the mirror– Put your arms above your head– Put your arms out to the side– Put your arms on your waist and lean forward– Changes to look for:

• Dimples• Nipple changes• Redness• Leathery looking skin


Upright Examination

• In the shower or in front of the mirror

• Perform the exam– From the breast bone,

to the armpit– From the collarbone to

the ribs


Lying Down Examination

• Perform the same exam when lying down– Use 3 fingers– Move from armpit to

breast bone in a vertical strip pattern

– At each area, use a circular motion to feel the breast


When to Contact Your Doctor• Anytime you notice changes in your

breasts• Changes that continue even after your

period is over– Nipple discharge or skin changes– Breast tenderness unrelated to your period– Lump


Remember to schedule your annual screening

Mammogram

if you’re 40or older!


Documents

Breast Self Exam Early Detection is the Key