First of all, let us have a quick glance at the facts why women should perform breast self examination. As advised by the experts, women should examine their breast so as to check the signs of breast cancer. Breast self examination is the easiest and effective method to detect abnormality symptoms and diseases on the breast.
When is the correct time to do breast self examination?
Breast self examination should be done on a monthly basis. You can also plan out and wait for 7-10 days from the date your next period starts. On the expected date, you must not miss out breast self examination even if your menstrual period has stopped.
Well, here are few important tips that can help you examine your breasts without anybody’s help. Using your right hand, you must check your left breast and using left hand check your right breast. Apply pressure slowly on the breast and try to make small circles while moving your hand around the breast. Focus on your hands and try to locate lumps inside the breast. You must follow these tips so as to perform breast self examination. Read on.
- Stand in front of the mirror with your breast exposed. Look at them and try to compare right with the left one. You must observe carefully and see if there are any difference in size, contour, and shape of the breast, colour and nipples. You must also check if there is any discharge from the nipples.
- Now, raise your arms and lock them behind your head. Have a look at your breast while turning slowly from one side to another. You must observe if there is any swelling of the breast or if he skin has puckered.
- Slowly, lean downwards and check the roundness and outline of the breast.
- Lie down on your bed or a flat surface and hold your breast with your hands, fully covering the nipples. You must slowly more your hands around and see if there are any lumps and unlevelled areas. If you can feels lumps, you must consult a doctor immediately and get timely cure.
- Slowly, move your hands towards your underarm where fats have accumulated in the blood tissue. Examine your breast from nipples, lower abdomen to underarm. You are also advised to move your hands in circles on the top lining of the collar bone. You must feel and observe if there are any lumps that have formed. Once done with your right hand, check the right breast using your left hand.
Breast self examination is common in women as the doctors advise them to do so. However, you can also try it at home yourself and see for changes and disorder. While performing breast self examination, if you fell these symptoms, then it can be a warning signs of breast cancer. They are:
- Unusual itching around the nipple area.
- Thickening of the breast or lump formation.
- Sore on the breast with fluid discharge.
- Puckering or dimpling of the skin, etc.