Keisha Brown, Saturday Life Writer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As such, it only seems fitting to highlight the importance for women to know how to examine their breasts themselves.
Women older than 20 years should perform monthly breast self-examinations. For women who still have menstrual periods, perform the examination a few days after your period has ended. During this time, your breasts are not tender. If you are not menstruating (such as in menopause), breast self-exams should be performed on the same day each month.
Use the following technique to perform a breast self-exam:
1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.Here's what you should look for:
Breasts that are their usual size, shape and colour.
Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling.
If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:
- Dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin.
- A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out).
- Redness, soreness, rash or swelling.
2: Now raise your arms and look for the same changes. 3: While you're at the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb and check for nipple discharge (this could be a milky or yellow fluid or blood). 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together.Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side - from your collar bone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.
Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the entire breast. You can begin at the nipple, creating greater circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. Be sure to feel all the breast tissue - just beneath your skin with a soft touch and down deeper with a firmer touch.
5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. This may be easiest for you while in the shower. Cover your entire breast using the movements described in Step 4.Breast self-exams are cost-effective and have no side effects. Regular self-exams may identify breast cancer early, which should redound to longer-term survival.
Sources:
1. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers' Association
2. University Hospital of the West Indies' Mammography Unit
