Breast Self-Exam: How to Do It and What to Look For

A breast self-exam for breast awareness is a safe technique to become aware with your breasts’ usual appearance and feel. 

Breast self-examination is a screening procedure used to detect early-stage breast cancer.

The approach entails the lady herself inspecting and examining each breast for lumps, deformities, or swelling. 

It is also a physical examination of the breast by a health care practitioner to look for lumps or other changes. 

How do you prepare for Breast self-exam

To get ready for your breast self-exam for breast cancer awareness, do the following: 

1.Request a demonstration from your doctor

Before you begin breast self-exams for breast awareness, you should consult with your doctor about the directions and procedure.

2.If you menstruate, pick a point in your cycle when your breasts are at their most delicate.

The week following your period is typically the optimum time to undertake a self-exam for breast awareness.

What are the stages to performing a breast self-examination

1. Begin by examining the distinctions between your breasts.
2. Place your hands on your hips and draw your elbows forward.
3. Examine your breasts with three fingers.
4. Inspect the regions around the breast.
5. Repeat the test every month at the same time.

Results

What is normal? 

Many women notice lumps or changes in their breasts, since some of these are typical changes that occur at various stages of the menstrual cycle. 

Finding a change or a lump in your breast is not cause for concern. Breasts frequently feel different in different locations.  

A hard ridge at the bottom of each breast, for example, is typical. As you get older, the appearance and feel of your breasts will alter.  

See also What to know about breast cancer 

When should you consult your doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you observe any of the following: 

1. A firm lump or knot beneath your arm.

2.Changes in the appearance or feel of your breasts, such as thickening or apparent fullness that differ from the surrounding tissue.  

3.Dimples, puckers, bulges, or ridges on your breast skin  

4.A recent modification in a nipple that causes it to be pushed in rather than protruding out 

5.The presence of redness, warmth, swelling, or discomfort 

6.Itching, scales, blisters, or rashes are all symptoms of a skin condition.  

7.nipple discharge with blood  

What are the different types of breast examinations

Additional tests and procedures, such as a clinical breast exam, mammography, and ultrasound, may be recommended by your doctor to evaluate breast changes.  

1. 3D Mammography (Digital Breast Tomosynthesis)

Tomosynthesis, the most recent breakthrough in digital mammography, produces a three-dimensional (3-D) picture of the breast.

The 3-D picture depicts the interior anatomy of the breast, making abnormalities more visible and decreasing the need for further imaging. 

2. Breast Ultrasound

Breast ultrasonography employs sound waves to image problem regions.  

Before scanning, the technician will ask you to lie down and apply some warm gel to your breast.  

This can also be used to augment mammography in women with thick breasts as a screening examination of both breasts. 

3. Breast MRI

This is a powerful imaging method used for problem resolution and additional screening in high-risk women.  

Breast MRIs at Lifespan are all read by specialist breast imaging radiologists. 

4. Breast Needle Biopsy

A biopsy (a sampling of breast tissue) may be done to investigate an anomaly seen on a breast imaging test.  

In most circumstances, the region requiring a biopsy is not cancerous, and a biopsy can assist confirm this. Biopsies need minimum healing time and leave no visible scars. 

5. Digital Mammography

A mammogram is a type of x-ray that is used to examine the breasts. 

All mammograms are digital, which means an electronic image of the breast is captured and saved in our computer system.  

Two images of each breast are captured during a normal screening mammography. The breasts are momentarily squeezed throughout the test to obtain the finest pictures possible while utilizing the least amount of radiation. 

6. Cyst or Fine Needle Aspiration

A cyst aspiration may be use if a breast cyst is causing pain or needs to confirm that a bulge is actually a cyst.  

Freeze the region with local anesthetic before inserting a tiny needle into the lump to drain the fluid.  

A comparable procedure (fine needle aspiration) can be use to collect cells for examination under a microscope.

There is no extra preparation or recuperation time.