What We Are

Here For.

Bonnie Brooks discovered a lump and

immediately scheduled an appointment
with her doctor. On September 11, 2008,
she was diagnosed with Stage 3
metastatic breast cancer.

Forty percent of
diagnosed breast
cancers are
detected by women
who feel a lump, so
establishing a

Every woman should become

familiar with how her breasts look
and feel and look so she can more
easily identify changes she feels or
sees in her breasts. Any changes in
your breasts (nipple discharge,
change in size, color, lumps, etc.)
should be discussed with your
health-care professional as soon as
possible.
Breast self-exam (BSE) is a step-bystep approach that a woman can
use to look at and feel her breasts.

About Me:
Tamayo, Teanu Jose G. is BSN
student
under
Saint
Louis
University. Passing his tri-fold flyer
in hopes to share and expand his
knowledge and create a concise
and comprehensive SELF-BREAST
EXAM article.

regular breast selfexam is very

SELF
BREAST
EXAM

important.
SELF BREAST
EXAM
Halili Building
Baguio City
How to do a Breast Self-Exam (BSE).

Learn today, for a

better tomorrow.

Breast Self-Exam
(BSE)
What is BSE Self-Exam (BSE)
Breast
self-exam
(BSE)
is
a
comprehensive step-by-step approach
by which a woman can track any
abnormal changes in her breasts, and
adult women may choose to perform
monthly breast self-examinations.
Every woman should become familiar
with how her breasts look and feel and
look so she can more easily identify
changes she feels or sees in her
breasts. Any changes in your breasts
(nipple discharge, change in size, color,
lumps, etc.) should be discussed with
your health-care professional as soon
as possible.

How to do Breast
Self-Exam (BSE)

Check the OUTER HALF of

your right breast. Lie down
and roll on to your left side to
examine your right breast. Place
your right hand, palm up on
your forehead. Your breast
should lie as flat on your chest
as possible. It may be easier
and more comfortable if you put
a pillow behind your shoulder or

Using the flat pads of your

three middle fingersnot the
tipsmove the pads of your
fingers in little circles. For
each little circle, change the
amount of pressure so you can
feel ALL levels of your breast
tissue. Make each circle three
timesonce
light,
once
medium, and once deepbefore
you move on to the next area.

Start the circles in your

armpit and move down to
just below the bra line. Then
slide your fingers overjust the
width of one finger and move up
again. Dont lift your fingers
from your breast as you move
them to make sure you feel the
entire area. Continue this upand-down vertical strip pattern

Stand in front of a mirror and look

closely at your breasts in the following
three positions, viewing from the right
and left as well as facing forward.
Check for changes in the following:

Shape: Compare one to the

other. One breast may normally be
larger than the other, but sudden
changes in size should not occur.
Skin: Check for rash, redness,
puckering, dimpling, or orangepeel-textured appearance.
Nipples: Check for any
physical changes such as a sudden
inversion, scaliness, redness,
itching, swelling, or discharge.
Vein patterns: Look for a
noticeable increase in size or
number of veins compared to the
other breast.

Breast Self-Exam Tips

Check the INNER HALF of

your right breast. When you
reach the nipple carefully check
the nipple area using the same
circular pressures as before,
without examine the remaining
breast tissue using the up-anddown vertical strip pattern, until
you reach the middle of your

Do your BSE at the end of

your monthly period.
If you are pregnant, no
longer have periods or your
period is irregular, choose a
specific day each month.
This should not be
performed in the shower or
with lotion on your skin or
fingers.
If you find a lump or notice
other unusual changes,
Dont panic. About 80% of
lumps found are not