BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION: ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT PROCEDURE

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BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION: ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT PROCEDURE





 Breast self-examination (BSE) helps people become familiar with the everyday look and feel of their breasts, making it easier to spot changes that might need further attention. Though there’s debate over whether BSE actually reduces breast cancer deaths, it’s still used as a breast awareness tool, especially in places where access to regular clinical exams or mammograms is limited [Journal of Clinical Nursing; BMC Women's Health].

How to Perform a Breast Self-Examination

Best Timing:
If you menstruate, the ideal time for BSE is a few days after your period ends, when your breasts are less likely to be swollen or sore. Pick the same date each month for those who don’t menstruate to stay consistent [PLOS ONE].

Visual Check:
Stand before a mirror with straight shoulders and arms on your hips. Look for changes in shape, size, skin texture, or the appearance of your nipples. Then, raise your arms and check again for any differences [Cancer].

Feeling for Changes—Standing or Sitting:
Doing this in the shower is often easier, as wet skin lets your fingers glide smoothly. Use the pads of your three middle fingers in small circles, covering the whole breast. Vary the light, medium, and deep pressure to feel all the layers.

Feeling for Changes—Lying Down:
Lie with a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Use your left hand to examine your right breast, then switch sides. Move in small circles over the whole breast and into the armpit area. Gently squeeze the nipple to check for any discharge [Cancer].

Patterns to Cover the Whole Breast:
Stick to a specific pattern so you don’t miss any areas. You can move your fingers up and down in vertical lines, make circles from the nipple out, or check in wedge-shaped sections radiating from the nipple [Annals of Internal Medicine].

What to Watch For:
Lumps, areas of thickening, hard knots, swelling, skin dimpling, nipple changes, or unusual discharge are all things to bring up with a healthcare provider.

What Else You Should Know:
Most changes aren’t cancer; anything new, persistent, or unusual deserves a professional check. The evidence on BSE’s impact on breast cancer mortality is mixed, so many experts now recommend general breast awareness over rigid monthly exams [Journal of Clinical Nursing; CMAJ]. Education programs can help people do BSE more often and thoroughly, but skills may fade without ongoing guidance and retraining [American Journal of Public Health; Cancer].

In short, breast self-exam means checking your breasts regularly in a systematic way, so you know what’s normal for you. While it can help you notice changes, it’s not a replacement for clinical screening when that’s available. Ongoing education and awareness are essential to benefit most from self-exams [BMC Women's Health; PLOS ONE].

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