How To Check Yourself For Breast Cancer

Medical professionals encourage adult women to examine their breasts at least once a month. Breast self-exams are a way to check for changes in the breast tissue. These screenings involve checking the breasts and armpits for lumps, thickening, or any hardened mass. It's beneficial to be familiar with the look and feel of your breasts, so you can notice any changes right away. Regular screenings at home are critical because women discovered many diagnosed cases of breast cancer during self-examination. The appearance of lumps or thickening of breast tissue may indicate an illness like cancer. Regular examination of the breasts can reveal cancerous tumors in early stages when they're more treatable. Many symptoms of breast cancer are not noticeable, so early detection is crucial when screening for breast cancer. Learn how to conduct a self-examination now.

Breast Self-Exam In The Shower

Performing a breast self-exam in the shower is effective because wet, slippery hands glide over the skin more easily. You can use a circular motion or up and down movements to check for lumps or any other changes in your breast tissue. It's important to cover the entire area, so make sure your movements are small and thorough. Use your fingertips to explore the breasts and surrounding areas like the armpits. Raising an arm behind your head will spread the breast tissue for better coverage. Use the finger pads of your free arm to apply pressure while moving around the breast. You can start from the outside and move towards the center or begin at the nipple and move towards the armpit. Check the entire area from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen. Apply gentle pressure to the shallow areas, intermediate to the middle of the breast, and firm for areas with deep tissue. Also, check your nipple areas for lumps or discharge. Use your thumb and forefinger to pull the nipple outward and look for any discharge of fluid.

Keep reading to learn about another method of breast self-examination.

Breast Self-Exam In Front Of A Mirror

A breast self-exam in front of a mirror gives you an opportunity to visually examine your breasts from different angles. View your breasts with your arms at your side, on your hips, or raised over your head. Assume different positions to view your breasts from every possible angle. Observe all parts of the breasts for any changes in shape or contour. Lift your breasts and look underneath them if you need to. You can view the outer portions of your breasts by gripping your hands behind your head and turning side to side. Make sure there's enough light in the room and flex your chest muscles when possible for maximum exposure. Once you're familiar with the look and feel of your breasts, it will be easier to recognize any changes. Changes you should look for during examination include any differences in size, shape, or position of your breasts. This includes any changes or distortion to the skin like dimpling, swelling, puckering, or blemishes. Check your nipples for changes in direction or any sign of peeling or sores.

Continue to learn about how to perform a breast self-exam when lying down.