Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, I thought this article was very timely. About.com issued a "here's how" list for women to do BSE's.
- Make a regular date. Pre-menopausal women should set a time to examine their breasts a few days after their period ends, when hormone levels are relativelt stable, and breasts are less tender. Menopausal women should pick a day of the month, and conduct the exam on that day each month.
- Do a visual exam. Stand in front of a mirror with your hands on your hips and check the appearance. Look at shize, shape, and contour. Note any changes in skin color or shape. Look at the nipples and areolas. Raise arms over your head to see if breasts move the same way.
- Manual check of the nipples. Lower both arms. With the index and middle fingers of your right hand, gently squeeze the left nipple and pull forward. Does the nipple spring back into place? Does it pull into the breast? Note any if any fluid leaks out. Reverse hands and check the other nipple.
- Stand and stroke. Raise your arm over your head, and apply pressure to the breast. Stroke from the bottom of the breast, moving across from the inside of the breast, all the way to the armpit area. You can also use a circular motion.
- Recline and stroke. Place a pillow on the bed so you can lie with head and shoulders on the pillow. Lie down and put your left hand behind your head, and use your right hand to stroke the breast all the way to your underarm.
Tip, doing step 4 in the shower is easier because wet skin has the least resistance to the friction of your fingers.
An important thing to remember, which I was just made aware of, breast tissue extends all the way to your armpit, so be sure and check thoroughly.
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