BREAST SELF EXAM

Breast Self
•
Exam
Detects the majority
of breast
abnormalities
• Potentially life-
saving
• Monthly exam, at
end of menses
• Start in front of
mirror
• If you menstruate, the
best time to do BSE is 2
or 3 days after your
period ends, when your
breasts are least likely to
be tender or swollen.
•If you no longer
menstruate, pick a day
such as the first day of
the month, to remind
yourself it is time to do
BSE.
INSPECT FOR:
•Skin changes
•Redness
•Visible bumps
•Nipple crusting
•Symmetry
RAISE ARMS UP
•Breasts should rise
evenly
•Watch for dimpling
or retraction
RETRACTION
DIMPLING
FEEL FOR LUMPS
•Raise the arm
•Feel with
opposite hand
•Feel for a
“marble in a
bag of rice”
USE THE MIDDLE OF YOUR
FINGERS
• Fingertips are too
sensitive (all breasts
are somewhat lumpy)
• Palm is too
insensitive
• Middle portion of
fingers is just right
MOVE YOUR HAND
IN SMALL CIRCLES
• Stay in one place
• Press in while
circling with your
hand
• Feel for
thickenings the
size of a marble
 THEN MOVE TO
ANOTHER LOCATION
• Work your way
around the breast
in a clockwise
fashion, using small
circles of the hand
as you go.
• Make sure the
entire breast is felt.
THE “TAIL” OF THE
BREAST
• Breast is not perfectly
round.
• A “Tail” of breast tissue
normally extends into
the armpit.
• Make sure to feel for
lumps in that portion of
the breast.
FEEL THE ARMPIT
• Use the same circular
motions.
• Feel for breast lumps
and lymph nodes.
• Normal lymph nodes
cannot be felt.
• Enlarged lymph nodes
are about the size of a
pencil eraser, but
longer and thinner.
 TRY TO EXPRESS
NIPPLE DISCHARGE
• Strip the ducts towards
the nipple.
• Normally, one or two
drops of clear, milky or
green-tinged secretions.
• Should not be bloody
or in large quantity,
squirting out or staining
the inside of a bra.
NOW CHECK THE
OTHER SIDE
•Follow same
maneuvers.
•Raise the arm above
your head.
•Feel for lumps or
masses.
 HAVE A PROFESSIONAL
BREAST EXAM EACH YEAR
•Basically
the same
maneuvers
•Ask
questions
MAMMOGRAMS
• Age 40-50: Every other
year
• Over Age 50: Annually
• Might be more often in
special circumstances
such as breast problems,
family history of breast
cancer.
If you find something in
your breast...
• Don’t panic.
• Most (90%) of breast
lumps are benign.
• Do see a physician or
other qualified health
care provider right away.
SIGNS OF BREAST CANCER
Elevation
Asymmetry
Bleeding
“Orange Peel” skin
Nipple Retraction
Commonly
Asked
Questions
•Remember, 8 out of
10 biopsied breast
lumps are not
cancer.
Does breast
size affect
breast
cancer risk?
Who is at
risk for
breast
cancer?
Is breast
cancer a
genetic
disease?
 Does
nutrition and
diet affect
breast
cancer risk?
 How often
should I do a
self-exam?