subject: Easiest Breast Self Exam Instructions Ever [print this page] Easiest Breast Self Exam Instructions Ever
Breast cancer is the most typical cancer in females of western industrialized countries. One in just about every 8 females could develop the disease. The causes of breast cancer point to heredity and other environmental factors that are yet to be explored. Therefore, anybody can virtually acquire breast cancer even without a strong hereditary background. Unfortunately, a lot of patients search for professional help at an advanced phase of cancer, whenthere is really little that can be performed. The most common reason for late consultation is late detection of the tumor.One of the people who can very best discover beginning breast lumps is you yourself, and this can basically be done by doing routine breast self examination. It is suggested that women beginning at the age of 20 must perform month-to-month breast self exam weekly after every menstruation period. Between ages 20 to 39, females should see a medical professional at least every 3 years for normal breast exams. By the age of 40, women are advised to have annual mammograms.Here are the straightforward methods of performing a breast self examination.What you need: - pillow
- mirrorTime required: 10 minutesHow to do the breast exam1. Unclothe your upper body, stand in front of the mirror, and place both hands behind your head. Look for changes in the form or size of your breast and check for dimpling or "pulling in" of the skin and nipples, scaling or rash.2. With the right hand still at the back of the head, place the 3 center fingers of your left hand on the right breast and press them firmly. Afterwards, do circular motion, starting from the higher outermost portion of the breast working towards the nipple. Observe for lumps or any changes of the breast. Carry on that motion extending to your armpit.3. Lightly, squeeze your right nipple with your left thumb and index finger and seek for any discharge. Check also the region over your collarbones for enlarged lymph nodes.4. Do a similar thing with your left breast. (repeat actions 2 & 3)5. Afterward, lie down, put a pillow below your right shoulder, and put your right arm under your head. (Inserting your hand under your head will flatten the fatty tissues of the breast, making deeper lumps easily felt.)6. Once more, utilizing the three center fingers of your left hand, massage your right breast moving in circular motion, beginning from the higher outermost portion of the breast, working towards the nipple, then all the way to the armpit. Observe for lumps or any changes of the breast. 7. Do the same thing on your left breast. (repeat step 6)The reason why breast examination should be performed, both in standing and laid down positions, is that though standing up , lumps in the higher part of the breast are easier to detect, while a lying down position would make masses in the lower portion of the breast more effortlessly detected. On top of that, It is very best to perform breast self exam at least 5 days after menstruation because at that time, the breast is no longer engorged and inflamed. Therefore, lumps or masses have high chance to be detected.
