Summary for HealthiNation’s Breast Self Exam

Hosted by Dr. Tanya Benenson, Internal Medicine

What is a Breast Self-Exam?

The Breast Self-Exam, or BSE, is a good first step in the early detection of breast cancer. It is a procedure you perform on yourself.

When To Do A BSE

It’s best to do a breast self-exam every month, several days after your period ends when your breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender. If you have stopped having periods, pick a day; say the 1st of every month, to perform your breast self-exams.

What To Look For With A BSE

Your breasts are unique to you, so it’s important for you to get to know how each breast normally looks and feels and to note any changes or differences. You should get in the habit of asking yourself, “"Has anything changed since my last period or last month or does something seem worse or more obvious?" Some women find that keeping a journal can help them track the changes in their breasts over time.

How To Do A BSE

Overall, you’ll look at the breasts in several positions and feel for any lumps or abnormalities.

For the first position, look at your breasts in the mirror. Initially, start with your arms at your side. You are checking to make sure that your breasts are their usual size, shape, texture and color. Look to see if both breasts are evenly shaped without any visible distortion or swelling. Most women’s breasts aren’t perfectly symmetrical; one might be bigger than the other. Just get to know your breasts so you can spot any changes.

If you see any of the following abnormalities, contact your doctor immediately:

• Dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin on or around the breast.
• Change in the nipple or its position -- has the nipple inverted, or turned inward instead of sticking out?
• Redness, soreness, rash or swelling on or around the breast.

These may not signal breast cancer, but each finding should be checked out by your doctor.

Second, raise your arms over your head and repeat that same visual examination of both breasts.

Third, go through the same process with your hands on your hips, pressing gently to flex your chest muscles. This helps you to see if dimpling is present.

Finally, while still looking in the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your thumb and forefinger. Unless you are breastfeeding, there should be no discharge.

If there is any discharge—including a milky or yellow fluid, or blood—let your doctor know immediately.

For the second exam position, find a good firm spot to lie down and get comfortable.

Raise the arm over your head on the side of the breast you are examining. Raise your right hand over your head. Use your left hand to examine your right breast.

With the pads of the three middle fingers, use a firm, smooth touch to make small dime-sized circular motions up and down the breast tissue. It’s important to cover every part of the breast. Start at the underarm. In that circular motion, move your fingers up and down vertically, straight down to the level of the bra line. Move across the chest in this up and down movement from the bra line to the collar bone until you reach the middle of your chest bone or sternum. As you are doing this, be sure to use three different levels of pressure. This is important.

• Light pressure allows you to feel the tissue closest to the skin
• Medium pressure to feel a little deeper; and
• Firm pressure to feel the tissue closest to the chest and ribs.

Repeat this process on the left breast by placing your left arm over your head, and examining the breast with your right hand. You are looking for any lumps, bumps or thickened skin that is new, has changed, or doesn't feel like rest of the breast tissue.

In the final exam position, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting, repeating all of the movements describes above. Many women find that this is easiest when they are showering because the skin is slippery. Remember to examine both breasts. This is also a good time to check your underarms. With your arm at your side, use the other hand to feel the underarm area for any lumps or thickening.

If you do feel something that seems unusual, don't panic. It doesn't necessarily mean you have cancer. But it is important you talk to your doctor to find out.

HealthiNation offers health information for educational purposes only; this information is not meant as medical advice. Always consult your doctor about your specific health condition.