Add to Favorites List Listen to This Page Download Real Audio Player BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION A breast self-exam is a monthly exam a woman can do herself to check for breast cancer. When you do a breast self-exam you check for lumps, thickening, dimples in the breast, or discharge from the nipple. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. Most cases of breast cancer are discovered by women doing self-exams. When breast cancer is found early and treated right away, the chances for cure are better. Every woman should do regular breast self-exams. Examine your breasts once a month at the end of your period, when your breasts usually are not tender or swollen. If you have already been through menopause or have had a hysterectomy, check your breasts on the first day of every month or whenever you can best remember to do it monthly. A breast self-exam consists of the following 5 steps: Step 1: Examine your breasts in the shower or bath. Your hands move more easily over wet skin. With your fingers flat, move gently over the entire area of each breast, checking for any lump, hard knot, or thickening. Step 2: Look at your breasts while standing in front of a mirror. Look at them first with your hands at your sides, then with your hands raised over your head, then with your hands pressed firmly on your hips so that your chest muscles are flexed. Look for lumps, new differences in size and shape, and swelling or dimpling of the skin. It is usually normal for your right and left breasts not to match exactly. Step 3: Examine your breasts with your fingers while sitting or standing. Slowly and methodically press on a breast with the fingers of the opposite hand. With your fingers flat, work in a circular or spiral direction, beginning at the nipple and moving gradually outward. Step 4: Lie down and repeat step 3. Put a small pillow or rolled up towel under your shoulder on your left side and put your left arm under your head. This distributes the breast tissue more evenly on your chest. Use your right hand to examine your left breast, as in step 3, then use your left hand to examine your right breast. Feel for any lumps or thickening which cannot be felt in the same area in the other breast. Step 5: Squeeze the nipple of each breast gently between your thumb and index finger. Report any discharge or fluid to your doctor immediately. If you find a lump, dimple, or discharge during your breast self-exam, see your doctor as soon as possible. Do not be frightened. Most lumps are not cancerous, but only your healthcare provider can make the diagnosis. Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. HIL File WOME5301.RF2 VRS# 7110 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1998, 2002-2003 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2003 McKesson Health Solutions LLC All rights reserved.

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