How to do a breast self-exam? 10 signs to watch out for

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Early analysis of breast cancer permits for less aggressive treatment and increases the probabilities of a cure. Approximately eighty% of cases are discovered with the aid of girls themselves, so it’s miles vital to realize a way to perform a breast self-examination and make this care a addiction on your existence.

Breast most cancers is the second most common most cancers amongst women international, in the back of handiest non-cancer pores and skin cancer. Around 28% of latest cancer instances that get up every 12 months correspond to this form of tumor – for 2023, the estimate is nearly 60 thousand diagnoses according to the National Cancer Institute (INCA).

Rarely seen before the age of 35, the chance of developing this neoplasm increases with age, especially after the age of fifty. It is vital to don’t forget that, despite the fact that women account for nearly all the human beings affected, 1% of breast cancer instances occur among men.

How to do a breast self-exam

Breast self-exam is recommended for all ladies over the age of 20. Since breasts can come to be swollen before and in the course of menstruation, it is advocated to perform the exam 7 days after the start of bleeding. In the case of ladies who’re going thru menopause, it’s miles excellent to select a fixed date each month.

A complete self-examination is performed in three steps: observation in front of a mirror, palpation during a shower, and palpation while lying down. Learn how to do each of them:

1. Observation in front of the mirror

• Take off your blouse and bra and stand in front of the mirror with your hands on your hips;
• Check the size, shape and contour of your breasts;
• Observe for changes in the skin of the breast, areola or nipple;
• Check if the bra leaves marks on only one breast, indicating swelling;
• Let your arms hang loosely at your sides and look at your breasts again;
• Raise your arms and observe for changes.

2. Standing groping in the shower

• With your spine straight, place your left hand behind your neck, with your elbow pointing upwards;
• Slide your right hand over your left breast, feeling it with your fingertips;
• Make circular movements firmly, but without causing discomfort or pain, starting in the armpit and moving towards the nipple;
• During palpation, check for denser areas or lumps;
• Make the same circular movements in the armpit region, checking to see if there is any palpable nodule;
• Gently press the nipple to check for fluid of unknown origin;
• Change the position of your arms, placing your right hand on the back of your neck, and repeat the steps in this step.

3. Lying down palpation

• Lie down on the bed, place a thin pillow under your left shoulder and place your left hand behind your head;
• With your other hand, feel your left breast and make circular movements with your fingertips, checking for any abnormalities;
• Place the pillow under your right shoulder and repeat the steps with the other breast.

These steps are necessary because the breast moves with the body, so an abnormality may go unnoticed in a certain position. In addition, during the bath, with soapy skin, the hands glide more easily, increasing the chances of detecting any abnormality.

10 signs to look for during a breast self-exam

In general, breast cancer is detected by the presence of a hard, irregular lump, usually painless – although this is not a rule and the woman may feel pain in the region in some cases.

Other changes that indicate a tumor include the presence of a lump in the armpit, swelling in the breast, skin irritation and discharge from the nipple. Here are 10 signs that you should look out for during a self-exam:

1. Swollen breast, with altered size or shape;
2. Nipple secreting liquid without you breastfeeding;
3. Irritation around the nipple with redness, itching or burning;
4. Small wounds or lesions on the breast;
5. “Sunken” or retracted breast region, compromising the contour;
6. Lump that is noticeable when touched in the breast or armpit;
7. Dilated or enlarging vein in the breast;
8. Altered skin texture with the appearance of wrinkles or the appearance of cellulite;
9. Nipple that has changed position or turned inward (inversion);
10. Pain in the breasts or armpits.

In addition to these signs, you should take into account any changes that occur between one breast and another or between one exam and another. It is important to know your body in order to be able to detect any type of change.