Why do I need to examine my
breasts?
Finding a tumor before the cancer
has spread to other parts of your
body can mean the difference
between life and death. Many
breast cancers are first detected
by women themselves -- and
according to the American Cancer
Society (ACS), women who are
attuned to changes in their bodies
are more likely to spot a suspicious
lump. |
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New guidelines issued by the ACS say that while monthly self-
exams are less effective than first thought and are no longer
emphasized, examining your breasts can help you stay in touch
with what's normal for you. It's best to begin around age 20, so
you can learn early on what your normal breast tissue feels like,
but it's never too late to start. Even if you examine your breasts
regularly, however, you should still have your doctor or
gynecologist examine your breasts once a year. |
When is the best time to do the exam? Examine your breasts at the same time each month. The best
time is usually a few days after your period, when your breasts
are least likely to be tender or swollen. If you no longer
menstruate, pick a day that you can remember easily, like the
first of the month. |
|
How do I examine my breasts?
Some women hesitate to do a self-exam because they don't know
what they're looking for. Generally, malignant lumps are firm,
discrete and immobile. However, many malignant tumors do not fit
this description, so any change you feel should be evaluated by a
physician. It's important to remember that the old saying, "if it
hurts, it's not cancer" is not true. Also remember that if your
mammogram is normal and you find a lump, you should still be
seen by a doctor because not all lumps show up on mammograms.
One breast surgeon in the San Francisco Bay Area says her
patients have lots of reasons for avoiding self-exams: they don't
know how, their breasts are too lumpy, they don't have time, or
they're too scared of finding something. Many physicians stress
that women should do whatever kind of exam they're comfortable
with, as long as they get to know what their breasts feel like
normally. Don't, in other words, set yourself up to do something
so difficult and time-consuming that you don't do it at all. In that
spirit, here are a few guidelines:
1. Stand in front of a mirror with your arms at your sides. Look for
any changes in the size, shape, or skin of your breasts, including
dimples or scaly patches. Check for discharge. Any bloody
discharge should be evaluated by a doctor right away.
2. Clasp your hands behind your head and again look for changes
in the size, shape, and contours of your breasts. Then check
again with your hands on your hips, bending slightly toward the
mirror with your elbows and shoulders pressed forward.
3. You may find that it's easier to do this next part in the shower,
where soap and water make your skin more slippery, or (if your
breasts are large) lying on your back in bed, where you have
better access to the undersides of your breasts. |
