Breast self Examination: How to do it and Warning Signs

To perform breast self-examination it is necessary to follow three main steps that include looking in front of the mirror, touching the breast, and repeating palpation lying down.

Breast self-examination should be done once a month, 7 days after menstruation or if you no longer menstruate, you must choose a fixed date to take the exam. Although the test does not allow the diagnosis of cancer, it helps to know the body better by allowing the woman to remain aware of possible alterations that may arise in the breast. See what are the 11 signs that may indicate breast cancer.

All women after 25 years with a family history of cancer or who are over 40 years of age, without cases of cancer in the family, should perform breast self-examination to prevent and diagnose breast cancer early. This test can also be performed by men, since they can also suffer from this type of cancer, presenting similar symptoms. Learn more about breast cancer in men.

Step by Step to do Breast Self-exam

To do it correctly it is important to do the evaluation in front of the mirror, both standing and lying down, following the following steps:

1. How do the Observation in the Mirror

To make the observation in front of the mirror you must stay in front of the mirror and remove all the clothes and observe following the following scheme:

1. First, observe with the arms down;
2. Then raise your arms and observe the breasts;
3. And finally, it is advised to place the hands resting on the hip, pressing to see if there is any alteration in the surface of the breast.

During the observation, it is important to evaluate the size, shape, and color of the breasts, as well as if there is swelling, inequality, prominences or roughness. In case there are alterations that were not present in the previous exam or there are differences between the breasts it is recommended to consult the gynecologist.

2. How to Stand up 

Foot palpation should be done during the bath with a wet body and soapy hands. For this you must:

1. Raise the left arm, placing the hand behind the head as shown in image 4;
2. Carefully palpate the left breast with the right hand using the movements in image 5; 
3. Repeat these steps for the breast on the left side.

Palpation should be done with the fingers of the hand together and stretched, in circular movements throughout the breast and from top to bottom. After palpation of the breast, the nipples should also be pressed gently to see if there is any leakage of any fluid.

3. How to Touch Yourself Lying Down

To touch lying down:

1. Lie down and place the left arm on the neck, as shown in image 4;
2. Place a pillow or towel under the left shoulder to be more comfortable; 
3. Palpate the left breast with the right hand, as shown in image 5.

These steps must be repeated in the right breast to complete the evaluation of the two breasts. If there is any alteration that was not present in the previous exam, it is recommended to consult the gynecologist to perform diagnostic tests and identify the problem.

What are the Warning Signs?

Breast self-examination is an excellent way to know the anatomy of the breasts themselves, helping to quickly identify alterations that may indicate that cancer is developing. However, it can also be a method that causes a lot of anxiety, especially when an alteration is found.

So it is important to know that the presence of small nodules within relatively common, especially in women and does not necessarily indicate that cancer is developing. However, if the nodule grows over time or if it is accompanied by other symptoms, it may indicate malignancy and, therefore, it should be investigated by a doctor. See more details about breast nodules.

The symptoms to be aware of are:

• Alterations in the skin of the breast;
• Increase in one of the breasts;
• Redness or changes in breast color.

While in women, mammography is the best way to identify a possible malignant disorder, in men the best test is palpation. However, if the man identifies any alteration he must go to the doctor to perform a physical evaluation and ask for other study exams, if necessary.

See more about mammography.