Self examination: One way to detect breast cancer

Examining your breasts is an important way to find a breast cancerdefine early. Detecting a lump in your breasts in time can make all the difference to your life, hence it is important to learn the correct method of self examination.

However, keep in mind that eight out of ten lumps are non-cancerous and that most breast changes are benign.

The ideal time

Breasts go through many normal changes throughout life. During child bearing years, each month the breasts prepare for pregnancy and breast feeding. They are affected by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy and menopause; and with weight loss and gain.

Breasts also tend to become enlarge, lumpy and tender shortly before a period starts and return to normal once the period is over.

The best time for breast self examination is right after the menstrual period. At this time the oestrogen levels in the body are low. High oestrogen levels sometimes causes swelling and tenderness that can make a accurate self examination difficult.

The best position

A thorough breast examination has three stages:

• Observing while lying down

• Observing your breasts in the mirror

• Observing when you are sitting or standing

Lying on the back forces the breast tissue to spread, allowing you to press firmly on the chest wall, while breast examination while sitting or standing allows you to examine your breasts from all angles.

Procedure for breast self examination

Lie down with a pillow under one shoulder and put your arm on that side behind your head. Feel every part of the breast by pressing your fingertips on a spot and then moving the whole hand in a small circle so that the breast tissue slides back and forth under the skin.

Search for thickenings, changes and lumps and never assume the thickening in the breast to be a muscle – there are no muscles in the breast.

Go all the way to the middle of the chest, all the way up to the collarbone and then the arm.

Finally, examine the armpit carefully for enlarged lymph nodesdefine.

Also, squeeze the nipples to see if there is any kind of discharge.

Repeat the same process while standing or sitting in front of the mirror. This could be done in three positions – with the arms up, with the arms down; with the shoulders in bending forward from the hips and bending forward with arms relaxed and hanging in front.

Changes to take note

Some of the changes to watch out for are:

• Persistent skin rash.

• Discharge from one or both nipples.

• Puckering or dimpling of the skin.

• Any thickening or lump that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue.

• Constant pain in one part of the breast or in the armpit.

• Swelling under the armpit or around the collarbone.

• Change in breast size.

• An inverted nipple or one that has changes its shape or position.

Paying attention to danger signs and avoiding delay are probably the most important steps to reduce health risks.