Self Breast Exam Made Easy

The American Cancer Society recommends that all women conduct a monthly breast self exam beginning at age 20, have a clinical breast examination every 3 years from age 20-39, and have a clinical mammogram each year starting at age 40. Want to conduct your own self breast exam but don't have a clue how? Follow these easy steps below to protect yourself against breast cancer. (Perform these exams monthly, 5 days after your period starts or at the first of the month for those who no longer have periods.)

Self Breast Exam Step 1: Observe your breasts in front of a mirror and in good lighting, in these four positions: First stand with your arms relaxed and at your side. Next, lift your arms lifted over your head. Then look with your hands pressed against hips. Now, with your hands pressed together at waist and lean over. In each of the positions look at each breast individually, and then compare them. Look for any visible abnormalities, such as lumps, dimpling, elevation, nipple retraction, irregular shape, swelling, discharge or asymmetry.

Self Breast Exam Step 2: Feel each breast while standing or sitting with one hand behind your head. It may be easier to do this in the shower as the water and soap will make the skin slippery and easier to feel. Use the tips of your fingers and move in concentric circles from the inside (starting at the nipple) out, be sure to press against the chest wall and make sure to feel under your arm pit.

Self Breast Exam Step 3: Feel the breasts again while lying down. Place a folded towel under the shoulder and back on the side you are examining. Place the arm on the examining side over and under your head. Feel around the breast in a clockwise motion making sure to feel the entire breast including under the arm and at the base of the breastbone.

Self Breast Exam Step 4: Feel the nipple and the area around the nipple. Squeeze the nipple and check for discharge. If you are not lactating any discharge can mean trouble and should be followed up with your health care provider. Early treatment and detection of breast lumps are the first and most effective step in early treatment of breast cancer.

Performing monthly self breast exams and having regular examinations increase the likely hood that a lump will be detected and early treatment started. If you find a lump or are concerned, seek help from you primary care provider. For this and more information on breast self exams and breast cancer please visit http://www.breastcancer.org