Why should I do a breast self-exam?
Regular breast self-exam can help you know how your breasts normally
feel and look, so you can notice any changes. When you find a change,
you should see your health care provider. Most breast changes or
lumps are not cancerous, but only a health care provider can tell
you for sure. When breast cancer is found early, you have more
treatment choices and a better chance of recovery. So, it is important
to find breast cancer as early as possible.
Breast self-exam should not take the place of getting regular mammograms.
Right now, mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early
and to improve your chances for survival.
What am I looking for when I do a breast self-exam?
You are looking for a lump or change that stands out as different
from the rest of your breast tissue. If you find a lump or other
change in your breast, either during breast self-exam or by chance,
you should examine the other breast. If both breasts feel the same,
the lumpiness is probably normal. As you get to know your breasts
better by doing breast self-exams, you should be able to tell the
difference between your normal lumpiness and what may be a change.
Besides a lump or swelling, other changes in your breast might be:
If you see any of these changes, you should see your health care
provider right away.
Is there a right way to examine my breasts?
Yes. There are several proper ways to examine your breasts. Ask your
health care provider to teach you how to do a breast self-exam
to make sure you are doing it correctly and thoroughly. The American
Cancer Society also provides a document that shows the right way
to examine your breasts. Remember that you should discuss any new
lump or change with your health care provider.
How often should I do a self-exam?
A breast self-exam is recommended every month a few days after your
period ends. During this time, your breasts are less tender or
swollen. It is important to do your breast self-exam at the same
time every month.
For more information...
You can find out more about breast cancer in women by contacting
the National Women's Health Information Center (800-994-9662) or
the following organizations:
National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service
Phone: (800) 422-6237
http://www.nci.nih.gov/
American Cancer Society
Phone: (202) 4-CANCER
http://www.cancer.org/
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
Phone number: 1-888-842-6355 (select option 7),
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/index.htm
The National Center for Human Genome Research, NIH
Phone: (301) 402-0911
http://www.nhgri.nih.gov/
National "Get A Mammogram: Do It For Yourself, Do It For Your
Family" Campaign
(brochures in English, Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Phone Number(s): 1- 800- 4-CANCER / 1-800-422-6237
http://breasthealth.cancer.gov
This information was abstracted from fact sheets developed by the
National Cancer Institute. All material contained in the FAQs is
free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied, reproduced, or
duplicated without permission of the Office on Women's Health in
the Department of Health and Human Services; citation of the sources
is appreciated.
The most effective way to fight breast cancer is to detect it early.
Although the most effective tools to detect breast cancer are mammography
and clinical breast exam by your health professional, the breast
self-exam may also be an effective tool to find cancer early. In
fact, women who perform regular breast self-exam find 90% of all
breast masses.
What Is a Breast Self-Exam and Why Should I Do It?
The breast self-exam is a way that you can check your breasts for
changes (such lumps or thickenings) that may signal breast cancer.
When breast cancer is detected in its early stages, your chances
for surviving the disease are greatly improved. While 80% of all
breast lumps are not cancerous, you can help catch potentially
serious changes in the breast early by regularly performing a self-exam.
When Should I Perform a Breast Self-Exam?
You should examine your breasts once a month, three to five days
after your menstrual period ends. If you have stopped menstruating,
perform the exam on the same day of each month, such as the first
day of the month or a day easy for you to remember, such as your
birth date. With each exam, you will become familiar with the contours
and feel of your breasts, and will be more alert to changes.
How Do I Perform A Breast Self-Exam?
To perform a breast self-exam, follow the steps described below.
In the Mirror:
